We're watching history in the making, as the main ceremony to mark the accession of Japan's new emperor has just taken place at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Emperor Naruhito took the throne in May, and today dignitaries of Japan and other countries are celebrating his enthronement.
As about 2,000 people looked on, the curtains of the imperial throne, called "Takamikura," were opened, revealing Emperor Naruhito in a traditional robe. Empress Masako was in a smaller structure known as "Michodai," wearing a ceremonial kimono.
And in a moment steeped in tradition, the emperor officially proclaimed his enthronement.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe then delivered a congratulatory address on behalf of the Japanese people. That was followed by three rounds of "banzai," a traditional Japanese exclamation wishing a long life.
A motorcade parade was planned for this afternoon, but the government postponed it by three weeks to focus on recovery efforts in areas affected by Typhoon Hagibis.
As about 2,000 people looked on, the curtains of the imperial throne, called "Takamikura," were opened, revealing Emperor Naruhito in a traditional robe. Empress Masako was in a smaller structure known as "Michodai," wearing a ceremonial kimono.
And in a moment steeped in tradition, the emperor officially proclaimed his enthronement.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe then delivered a congratulatory address on behalf of the Japanese people. That was followed by three rounds of "banzai," a traditional Japanese exclamation wishing a long life.
A motorcade parade was planned for this afternoon, but the government postponed it by three weeks to focus on recovery efforts in areas affected by Typhoon Hagibis.
◆accession 即位
◆take the throne即位する
◆dignitary 要人 someone who has an important official position 類義語 VIP
◆dignitary 要人 someone who has an important official position 類義語 VIP
◆enthronement.即位（式）
◆looked on見つめる、傍観する
◆imperial throne 玉座
◆imperial throne 玉座
◆robe（長くゆったりした）衣服 a long loose piece of clothing, especially one worn for official ceremonies
◆be steeped in ... (～に深く染み込んだ )
◆proclaim （正式に）宣言する to say publicly or officially that something important is true or exists → proclamation
◆proclaim （正式に）宣言する to say publicly or officially that something important is true or exists → proclamation
◆congratulatory address 祝辞
◆exclamation 叫び（声)
◆motorcade 自動車行列 a line of official cars, including a car carrying an important person, that is travelling somewhere