Aiko, the eldest daughter of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, who turned 20 this month, will be attending adult events such as the awarding of medals on the 5th.
Aiko, who celebrated her 20th birthday on December 1st and became an adult royal family, will be attending major adult events on Sunday 5th, which will not hinder her studies.
In the morning, Aiko visits the Three Palace Sanctuaries, which is dedicated to the ancestors of the imperial family, and is awarded a medal called the Order of the Precious Crown by Her Majesty the Emperor at the palace.
Then, in the afternoon, at the palace, they will greet their Majesties in long dresses wearing hair ornaments and medals called tiaras, and then the Emperor and his wife will also greet them.
Next, we will be able to receive congratulations from the imperial family, including Mr. Akishinomiya, and the heads of the three powers, including Prime Minister Kishida.
Since the new production of Tiara has been postponed due to the spread of the new coronavirus, Aiko will borrow the one used by Her Majesty's sister and aunt Sayako Kuroda. ..
It will be the first time in seven years since the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Akishino, Yoshiko, that an adult event will be held in the imperial family.
The imperial tiara has been around since the Meiji era
At the annual event, the tiara worn by Aiko is also attracting attention.
Tiara is a jeweled crown-shaped hair ornament that dates back to the Meiji era in the imperial family.
As Japan aimed to modernize, in 1897, the official clothing of women in the palace was decided to be Western clothing, and in the materials of the Genroin at that time, hair ornaments like tiaras were drawn on sketches showing examples of formal wear. increase.
In addition, in a newspaper article in the 20th year of the Meiji era, it is reported that 60 diamonds will be used by asking a German craftsman to make a tiara for Empress Shoken, the emperor of the Meiji era.
This tiara is commonly known as the "Empress's First Tiara," and was virtually inherited by Emperor Taisho's Empress Teimei, Emperor Showa's Empress Kojun, and Empress Kojun. The Empress was attached to the parade that accompanied the throne of His Majesty the Emperor.
In addition to this, the "Empress Tiara" is said to have the so-called "Second Tiara", which has a Japanese-style chrysanthemum motif, and the "Third Tiara", which has an elegant arabesque design.
The female royal tiara
It is customary for tiaras of female royal families other than successive empresses to be renewed when they reach the age of majority.
In recent years, it is often produced at the "court fee", which is the official budget of the imperial family, by conducting designated competitive bidding.
In the case of Mako, the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Akishino, it costs 28.56 million yen as a set with other ornaments.
The second daughter, Yoshiko, was 27.93 million yen.
Since these tiaras are owned by the government, they will be returned and managed by the Imperial Household Agency if the female royal family leaves the imperial family due to marriage.
On the other hand, Sayako Kuroda's tiara, which Aiko wears, is not a public budget, but is made with "internal court expenses" that are used for the living expenses of the Emperor's family, and is owned by Mr. Kuroda even after marriage.
According to the Imperial Household Agency, this time, adjustments were made to match the shape of Aiko's head.
According to my aides, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress and Aiko are deeply grateful that Mr. Kuroda was willing to lend me the tiara.
Tiara production digital technology and skilled craftsmanship
How is the female royal tiara made?
We interviewed a workshop in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, which has produced tiaras for several imperial families, including tiaras for Mako, the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Akishino.
The elaborate and intricate design of the tiara is said to require the highest level of skill in jewelry.
Now that digital technology has advanced, we use computer design systems to adjust the shape and inclination of parts, the size of jewels, and so on.
The mold that is the basis of the constituent parts is made with a 3D printer.
With nearly 1000 parts, all skilled craftsmen will assemble them by hand.
Then, it is repeatedly polished to shape it and attach jewels such as diamonds.
It is said that the production period is at least half a year, and some of them take about one and a half years in the imperial family Teiala.
Masahiro Teka, the production manager of this workshop "Atelier Maiedor", said, "I think that tiaras are different from general jewelry, and the high level of technology is required. Especially, the tiaras of the imperial family are involved. It's a real honor, and I make it with a special feeling. It's something that will remain in history, so I hope people in the future will see what I made and think it's beautiful. " I am.
Mariko Fujimoto, assistant manager of the jewelry and other specialty store "Wako", which was the orderer of the production and also worked on the tiara of the imperial family, said, "The history of tiara is very old and it is said that it dates back to the Greek and Roman times. It is magnificent, graceful and a symbol of happiness, and I think that all of the jewelry making is condensed in terms of design, materials and technology. The tiara of the imperial family symbolizes the height of dignity and handles it. I am proud of the opportunity. "
Wearing a tiara is a tradition
Regarding the fact that Aiko can borrow Kiyoko Kuroda's tiara this time, Junko Aoki, a historical cultural researcher who is familiar with imperial fashion, said, "Aiko wears what was worn by Kiyoko, the daughter of the emperor. It can be said that being done is just a succession of tradition. Also, historically, the imperial family has a custom of using things for a long time and carefully. There is also a corona, and the people I feel that the imperial family has a solid attitude in making decisions in consideration of their suffering. "
Also, regarding Aiko, who is attending an adult event, "I think that wearing a tiara at an adult event is just a proof of the princess. Wearing a medal, a tiara and a set of accessories, and a décolletage. At that time, you may be aware that you are a member of the imperial family and the imperial family. "