tagged w/ Japanese Emperor
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On January 2 the Japanese Emperor makes 5 appearances with members of the Imperial Household to give a short (emphasis on short) speech welcoming the New Year.
Although the Japanese Imperial system goes back well over a millenia, the tradition of making public addresses to gathered crowds only dates back to after WWII.
This year however was different than previous years and the Emperor made direct mention to the Earthquake of March 11th and the continual suffering of those directly affected by it.On January 2 the Japanese Emperor makes 5 appearances with members of the Imperial... more
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Every year on December 23 the Japanese Emperor, Akihito, gives a public address from the Imperial Palace. The Emperor rarely gives public speeches. His birthday and the New Year's Greeting on January 2 are generally the only time he does so.
The tradition of the Japanese emperors giving public speeches on birthdays and New Years only started after WWII. Before that they were seen as divine being descended from the native Japanese gods so they were often hidden from public view. Also for centuries they were shadowy figures while the real power was wielded by the Shogun, military general.
This year the Emperor cancelled his public address due to illness related to stress.Every year on December 23 the Japanese Emperor, Akihito, gives a public address from... more
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Japanese Emperor Akihito has cancelled his annual birthday public address due to illness. December 23 is his birthday and it's a national holiday in Japan. December 23 and January 2 are the only times when the general public can visit the Imperial Palace area which is normally closed all year.
"The emperor, who will turn 75 on December 23, is suffering from bleeding in the stomach due to inflammation that may have been caused by stress, the palace said last week. "Japanese Emperor Akihito has cancelled his annual birthday public address due to... more
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Japan's Imperial System stretches back of two thousand years. According to Japanese mythology, the emperor is descended from Jimmu, a semi-divine being whose grandmother was Amaterasu-Omikami, the Sun Goddess. Jimmu reigned in 600 B.C. However, there is little evidence to support this. Most scholars believe the Imperial system developed from the Yamato culture in central Japan around the 3rd century A.D. with Chinese influences.
The emperor was seen as the divine manifested in the flesh; a representative of the gods on earth. To oppose the emperor was to oppose Japan itself. This made it quite risky for any usurpers not of Imperial blood to try and take the throne.
The history of the Imperial Line is a rocky one filled with political intrigue, murder, war, and betrayal. Emperors had been manipulated by politically-saavy ministers and later by powerful warlords. Emperors had been imprisoned, driven off, exiled, forced to abdicate and used to further the careers and schemes of others.
Today's Imperial Palace is off-limits except on the Emperor's birthday and January 2nd when the Emperor gives a New Year's Address.Japan's Imperial System stretches back of two thousand years. According to... more
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