Japan's Empress and Princesses
Wear Floral Kimonos to Fall Garden Party Attended by Olympic Athletes
The second autumn garden party of King Naruhito's reign took place this Wednesday, October 30, in the gardens of the Akasaka Imperial Estate. Among the guests were the Japanese Olympic champions. The weather was perfect, allowing Empress Masako and the princesses to wear their most beautiful floral kimonos.
The imperial family meets the public at the autumn garden party on October 30, 2024 (Photo: Shun Kato/Jiji Press/ABACAPRESS.COM)
A furious autumn garden party
The beginning of Emperor Naruhito's reign, who ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne in 2019, was quickly disrupted by the pandemic, whose protective measures remained in force for several years in Japan. Last year, Emperor Naruhito was finally able to organize his first autumn garden party, an event usually organized every year.
On October 30, 2024, nothing came to hinder the organization of the second autumn garden party. The weather was also there, allowing the 1,400 guests to stroll peacefully in the imperial gardens of Akasaka. Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, their daughter, the crown couple and many princesses attended the event, going to meet some of their guests. This garden party was also an opportunity to honor the Olympic champions who won medals this summer in Paris. The imperial couple greeted the javelin thrower Haruka Kitaguchi, the judoka Hifumi Abe and the skateboarder Yuto Horigome.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako meet with Olympic champions (Photo: Shun Kato/Jiji Press/ABACAPRESS.COM)
Princess Aiko Attends Second Garden Party in Elegant Kimono
Once again, Princess Aiko was under the scrutiny of the Japanese press. The only daughter of Emperor Naruhito was attending a garden party for the second time. However, this was the first time she had worn a kimono for an official public engagement. Princess Aiko attended her first garden party in the spring of this year.
Princess Aiko, the only daughter of Emperor Naruhito, with her first cousin, Princess Kako, the second daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito. The two young princesses stand next to Princess Hanako of Hitachi, wife of Prince Masahito of Hitachi, first cousin of Emperor Emeritus Aikihito (Photo: Video capture)
Empress Masako, Princess Aiko, and the other princesses wore a furisode-type kimono, which is characterized by its very long sleeves. Usually, princesses do not wear traditional outfits to attend this type of event. The traditional outfit is made of a fabric that included floral patterns, clouds, and fans. Empress Masako wore a kimono with autumn leaves.
Nicolas Fontaine
ROYAL ARTS VISIONS; Japan's Empress and Princesses Wear Floral Kimonos to Fall Garden Party Attended by Olympic Athletes