Photo/Illutration Emperor Naruhito rides a covered horse-drawn carriage on Nov. 22 during a visit to the Geku, or outer shrine, at Ise Jingu shrine to report on the completion of his enthronement ceremonies. (Pool)

ISE, Mie Prefecture--Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako observed a ritual steeped in Japan's mythological beginnings by visiting Ise Jingu shrine here on Nov. 23 to "report" to ancestors and deities the completion of all enthronement ceremonies.

Naruhito was dressed in the same traditional attire he wore for the Sokuirei-Seiden-no-Gi ceremony held in October at the Imperial Palace in which he proclaimed his enthronement.

He paid his respects to the Naiku, or inner shrine, of Ise Jingu shrine where Amaterasu-omikami, the legendary sun goddess considered the ancestress of the imperial family, is enshrined.

Naruhito and Masako separately visited the Geku, or outer shrine, the previous day to report on the completion of the ceremonies to the deity enshrined there.

Naruhito had his attendants carry the sword and "magatama" jewel considered to be two of the three treasures handed down in the imperial family.

Naruhito was to have ridden an open horse-drawn carriage for the visit while Masako was to have ridden in the specially-designed convertible that carried the imperial couple in the parade held in Tokyo on Nov. 10. An allergy toward horses prevents her from riding the carriage.

However, inclement weather in the Ise region meant the carriage was covered while a regular vehicle was used to transport Masako.