Tokyo (AFP)
The new Japanese Emperor Naruhito will perform on Thursday a sophisticated and secret ritual dating back to 1,300 years, by which he will thank the sun goddess Amaterasu as part of a long series of Shinto rites marking his accession to the throne.
The Daijosai, considered the most important rite of the Imperial House of Japan, comes three weeks after the solemn proclamation of the accession to the throne of the Chrysanthemum Naruhito, and it takes place only once per reign.
Thursday at the end of the day, the emperor will take a ritual bath in a complex of wooden buildings called Daijokyu, which was built especially for the occasion on the territory of the imperial palace, in the heart of Tokyo. Then the sovereign will dress in white silk clothes.
The most important part of the ritual is planned at night, in two rooms. The emperor will offer newly harvested rice to Amaterasu, whose mythology says that the emperors of Japan are the descendants, as well as to other deities.
He will recite prayers and "share" with the goddess a feast of salmon, abalone, jujubes and millet, all accompanied by sake.
Empress Masako, dressed in a white kimono, will pray separately in other rooms of the Daijokyu.
Members of the imperial family and several hundred guests, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, will participate in the event in different pavilions. Unlike the proclamation of the enthronement of the new emperor, no foreigner takes part in this rite.
The emperor must disappear from the sight of all once he enters the main hall of the complex, lit by torches. Throughout the ceremony, which will last until Friday at dawn, he will be just accompanied by a maid of honor.
This rite is mentioned in historical documents dating back to the seventh century, but it had been interrupted for more than 200 years because of civil wars and financial constraints. He had resumed in the 17th century.
The cost of the Daijosai, made every time an emperor arrives on the throne, is estimated at 2.7 billion yen (22.6 million euros). This sum includes the construction and destruction of the Daijokyu, as well as banquets at the imperial palace.
The Daijokyu is built on an area of about 2,700 square meters and is composed of about thirty pavilions in total.
The Daijosai rite has been criticized by some in Japan for its cost and Shinto character, while the Japanese Constitution provides for the separation of state and religion.
Prince Akishino, younger brother of Naruhito, had himself thrown a pavement into the pond a year ago. "I wonder if it is okay to finance such a religious thing with public money," he said, adding that he had expressed his opposition to the head of the agency of the imperial house. "He did not listen to me," the prince had let go.
© 2019 AFP