Happy 2020!

あけまして おめでとう おめでとう!

Happy New Year! Reiwa 1, Year of the Rat.

As been our decade long tradition, we feature the Japanese Emperor on the first blogpost of every year. This being Reiwa 1, Emperor Naruhito now takes center stage with Empress Masako before a crowd the Imperial Household Agency estimates to be around 68,000 well-wishers. We hope this will be a successful year for you and yours as well as our own endeavors as we seek to offer our works in other languages. As we noted in our last blogpost, we at American Mishima have been very busy writing and promoting our books on top of raising two small children so our blogposts may be less frequent than in year's past but we do hope you check in from time to time. Thank you for all your love and support. Happy New Years!

Enthronement

This week in Japan saw the new Reiwa Emperor Naruhito proclaim his Enthronement in a series of sacred Shinto rites that formalize his ascent to the Chrysanthemum Throne. Like the Emeritus Heisei Emperor before him, he wished to for the happiness of the Japanese people and pledged the following:

 

"I pledge hereby that I shall act according to the Constitution and fulfill my responsibility as the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people of Japan, while always wishing for the happiness of the people and the peace of the world, turning my thoughts to the people and standing by them," Naruhito said.

We at American Mishima wish Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, peace and happiness throughout the Reiwa Era. Long may they reign. ばんざい! ばんざい! ばんざい!

First Rites of the Reiwa Era

Seen here is Emperor Naruhito performing his first rites within the Imperial Palace. In this age-old Shinto custom, the new Reiwa Emperor reports to this ancestors in three sanctuaries to announce his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne.

Empress Masako also visited the same sanctuaries, her first visit since 2002. Over the past years, she has had issues with stress related to limitations placed upon her joining the Imperial Family. We wish her well and pray this transition will be a happier one. 

Emperor Naruhito's Speech

Today marks the first official day of the Reiwa Era. In his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, Emperor Naruhito is seen here with Empress Masako, and Crown Prince Akishino, delivered his first speech the People of Japan, and in extension, as his majesty stated: "those who stand by them." We offer here, an opportunity to share his kind words:

"I have hereby succeeded to the Throne pursuant to the Constitution of Japan and the Special Measures Law on the Imperial House Law. When I think about the important responsibility I have assumed, I am filled with a sense of solemnity. Looking back, His Majesty the Emperor Emeritus, since acceding to the Throne, performed each of his duties in earnest for more than 30 years, while praying for world peace and the happiness of the people, and at all times sharing in the joys and sorrows of the people. He showed profound compassion through his own bearing. I would like to express my heartfelt respect and appreciation of the comportment shown by His Majesty the Emperor Emeritus as the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people of Japan. In acceding to the Throne, I swear that I will reflect deeply on the course followed by His Majesty the Emperor Emeritus and bear in mind the path trodden by past emperors, and will devote myself to self-improvement. I also swear that I will act according to the Constitution and fulfill my responsibility as the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people of Japan, while always turning my thoughts to the people and standing with them. I sincerely pray for the happiness of the people and the further development of the nation as well as the peace of the world."

The Dawn of the Reiwa Era

Happy New Era! We would like to convey many thoughts of renewed optimism for the new Reiwa Era and for Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako. But instead of our usual commentary, we will leave you with this beautiful banner photo shared by the Japanese Embassy and let it speak volumes. Please enjoy!