THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
November 27, 2019 at 16:20 JST
KASHIHARA, Nara Prefecture--Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited the tomb of Emperor Jinmu here to report the completion of a series of enthronement rites on Nov. 27.
The couple arrived shortly after 10 a.m. at the burial site of Jinmu, whom the imperial family considers Japan's first emperor, in Kashihara to conduct the Shinetsu-no-gi ceremony.
Naruhito wore a morning jacket and Masako was in a long dress. They made their way separately to the tomb and made an offering of a sacred tree branch.
The couple was expected to visit Kyoto to conduct the same ritual at the tomb of Emperor Komei in the afternoon.
When Emperor Emeritus Akihito, Naruhito’s father, conducted the Shinestu-no-gi ceremony for his enthronement in 1990, he was accompanied by other imperial family members.
The Imperial Household Agency decided on this occasion that Naruhito and Masako would be unaccompanied, citing the fact there are now fewer male imperial family members.
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Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrive at the tomb of Emperor Jinmu in Kashihara, Nara Prefecture, on Nov. 27. (Pool)
