Category Archives: Japan

Wrapping up the Japanese Imperial Tour of India

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Last week, the Japanese Imperial couple spent the week on tour in India. On Wednesday, December 4, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited the Kalakshetra Art Academy in Chennai. The Empress debuted a new hat, in her signature ‘saucer’ shape. This hat, one of Michiko’s larger saucers in white, was trimmed with silk orange blossoms and green leaves. I thought it was quite delicate and looked rather pretty on the Empress.

Empress Michiko, December 4, 2013 | The Royal Hats BlogThe Imperial couple returned to Japan on Friday. Empress Michiko repeated the dove grey saucer hat with charcoal grey origami flower she wore while on the Indian tour.

Empress Michiko, December 6, 2013 | The Royal Hats BlogDesigner: unconfirmed
Previously Worn: December 2, 2013

As is tradition, they were greeted at Haneda International Airport by other members of the Imperial family (from right: Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako, Prince Fumihito, Princess Kiko, Princess Mako, Princess Hanako, Princess Akiko and Princess Hisako). I’m not sure I have ever seen so many blue small brimmed royal hats at the same event…. I wonder if a memo was sent requesting all the Imperial ladies to wear a blue hat?!

Imperial Royal family, December 6, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog

Photos from FNN and The Imperial Family of Japan

Japanese Imperial Couple in India

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Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko met Indian President Pranab Mukherjee at a ceremony welcoming them to India yesterday. The Empress wore a new hat- a large (much larger than usual!) white saucer hat trimmed with a large green leaf and pink flower petals. I was very pleased to see her in something with such a large brim.

Empress Michiko, Dec. 2, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog Empress Michiko, Dec. 2, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog

Embed from Getty Images

Later in the day, the Imperial couple visited Jawaharlal Nehru University. This hat also appears to be a new one, although exactly the same shape of saucer (with slightly upturned rim at the back) as these two grey saucer hats. This hat was trimmed with a fabric flower in the same charcoal grey fabric as Michiko’s tailored suit.

Empress Michiko, Dec. 2, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog Empress Michiko, Dec. 2, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog

Photos from Hindustan Times, Raveendran, and Prakash Singh via Getty; AFP and AFP

Japanese Imperial Couple Arrive in India

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Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko arrived in India on Saturday for their first visit in over 50 years. Empress Michiko unveled a new hat and outfit for her arrival; the hat was one of her regular petite saucers, this time in cream, with a cream and beige hounds tooth check flat bow. Her hat coordinated perfectly with her outfit and she looked very smart.

Empress Michiko, Nov. 30, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog Empress Michiko, Nov. 30, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog

Tomorrow we’ll look at the first two hats worn by Empress Michiko on this tour.

 

Asahi Shimbun via Getty and Getty

Prince Hitachi and Princess Hanako at Lake Biwa

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Last Tuesday, November 26th, Prince Hitachi and Princess Hanako visited the Lake Biwa Museum in Oroshimo Town, Shiga prefecture. Princess Hanako wore a smart trilby style hat with a narrow band and bow around the crown in the same shade of slate blue as her suit. I thought the whole look was modern and so stylish. Didn’t she look marvelous?

Princess Hanako, Nov. 26, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog

Photo from The Imperial Family of Japan

Imperial Couple Embark on Indian Tour

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Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko departed Haneda international airport in Tokyo yesterday en route to a week long official visit to India. Empress Michiko wore one of her regular petite saucer hats, this one in cream, trimmed with a black and cream silk bow. I believe this hat is a new one.

Empress Michiko, Nov. 30, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog

Empress Michiko, Nov. 30, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog

The Imperial couple were seen off by their sons and daughter-in-laws. Princess Kiko wore a chocolate bowler hat trimmed with a black ribbon around the crown (another new hat, I believe) while Crown Princess Masako wore a dove grey wool hat with square crown, rolled brim and grey ribbon around the crown. Paired with her suit, I thought Masako’s hat (which I suspect is also new) looked great on her.

Princess Kiko and Princess Masako, Nov. 30, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog

Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko’s daughter, Princess Mako of Akishino, also was on hand to bid farewell to her grandparents. Mako wore a squared version of her mother’s bowler hat, with a slightly more upturned brim.

Princess Mako and Princess Kiko, Nov. 30, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog

Photos from Corbis, AFP Photo/Toru Yamanaka via Channel News Asia; and Toru Yamanaka via Getty