Poetry and monarchy very often go hand in
hand. Whether it is King Edward III offering patronage to Geoffrey
Chaucer, or King David of Israel being said to have written a
number of Psalms found in the Bible, there is a strong mutual
history between the two. Japanese emperors, in their time, were
also noteworthy poets forming part of a courtly culture very
interested in high arts and literary…
The traditional “Waka” poems, penned by
the Imperial Family, and ten selected works from the public, were
recited at the annual New Year event in the Matsunoma main hall in
the Imperial Palace. The theme of this year’s poems was “no”,
which…
Her Imperial Majesty Empress Michiko of
Japan is ill. This was announced in an official statement from the
Imperial Household Agency yesterday, on Monday, 12 December.
Empress Michiko, age 82, was diagnosed with acute bronchitis last
Friday after suffering a slight fever and…
In a statement released this week by the
Imperial Household Agency Empress Michiko has expressed awe and
respect at her husband, Emperor Akihito’s decision to potentially
abdicate in a few years because of his advancing years and failing
health. She said that the announcement came as a shock to her, and
caused a little pain, though she added he had obviously given a lot
of thought to the…
Despite confirmation of heart trouble,
Empress Michiko along with her husband, Emperor Akihito will attend
the national memorial war service honouring those killed in World
War II that is to be held on Saturday. This service is to
commemorate those lost during the war on the…
