Naruhito from Japan received the "Imperial Treasures" and became Emperor

In a brief and silent ceremony, the prince Naruhito became the 126th emperor of Japan, hours after the abdication of his father, Akihito. In a ritual of many centuries called "Kenji to Shokei no GiThe new monarch received the "imperial treasures" and the "imperial seals", symbols of the Japanese monarchy.The prince was officially emperor from the first minute of the day, but the process was formalized by inheriting sacred objects conferring legitimacy.

Neither previous emperors, Akihito and Michiko, nor the new wife Empress, Masako, did not attend the ceremony, nor any woman of the imperial family. Only men attend this ritual, the emperor being escorted by his brother Akishino (new crown prince) and his uncle Hitachi. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was also present.

Until now, Crown Prince Naruhito was born in 1960 and is, through his mother, the first Japanese emperor to plebeian blood and the first born after the Second World War. He became heir to the throne in January 1989 after the death of his grandfather, Emperor Hirohito, who officially became the Crown Prince ("Kotaishi") in February 1991.

During the ceremony which lasted 10 minutes, the chamberlains of the palace presented to the emperor the sacred sword (Ksanagi no Tsurugi) and the sacred jewel (Yasakani no Magatama), which have been pbaded from emperor to emperor for at least 1,000 years, while the third treasure, the sacred Mirror (Yata no Kagami), is kept in an imperial shrine.

Imperial treasures have origins in Shinto mythology, which he believes to be bequeathed by the goddess of the sun, Amaterasu-Omikami, his great-grandson and first Japanese emperor, Jimmu, 2,600 years ago. The importance of these objects, which no one knows the appearance and which are kept in sacred shrines, held for that for centuries, there have been battles to obtain them.

Treasures, that on January 8, 1989, they were delivered to Akihito, Represent the characteristics that the Emperor of Japan must possess: value (sword), wisdom (mirror) and benevolence (jewel). However, these are veiled objects for any mortal and even emperors have not seen them, and until now, only their appearance is known through old documentary records.

Half an hour later, the emperor appeared in the same room Matsu-no-Ma (or "Sala de Pino") to play the main role in the ceremony "Sokui-Go-Choken-no-Gi" in which he appeared before members of the government, parliament, judiciary, court and other representatives of the Japanese people. He made it this time accompanied by Empress Masako, dressed in white and wearing the diadem of the imperial jeweler.

In his first speech as "Symbol of the State" Naruhito is committed to always staying with the people of his country and has launched an appeal for peace in the world. He promised "to act according to the Constitution … and to always direct my thoughts to the people and to be with him". He also said that he would follow the path taken by his father, the popular Emperor Akihito, considered the first to try to bring the royal family closer to Japanese citizens, especially during natural disasters.

"When I think of the important responsibilities that I have badumed, I feel full of solemnity," said the 59 – year – old emperor, who rose to the throne after the abdication of his father. Akihito, the first for more than two centuries. His successor he promised to "keep in mind the path taken by the emperors of the past"and says that he is determined to constantly improve. On behalf of the Japanese people, Shinzo Abe said "determined to create a bright future for a proud Japan, full of peace and hope at a time when the international situation is changing dramatically".

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Graduate in History of Gakushuin University in Tokyo in 1982, a year later at Merton College, Oxford University, where he is still studying for three years. In addition, he completed the first part of a doctorate in human sciences at Gakushuin University in 1988. In 1993, Naruhito attracted worldwide attention when the Imperial Palace announced its expected engagement with Masako Owada, graduate diplomat from Harvard University. The link took place in June of the same year.

Naruhito and Masako They have a 17-year-old daughter, Princess Aiko, born in 2001, eight years after the wedding. However, according to the law of the Japanese Imperial House, Aiko can not succeed on his throne to his father since it is stipulated that the heir must be "a male descendant of the imperial lineage". However, Japan had a total of 10 empresses from Suiko, between 592 and 628, although the last monarch was Empress Gosakuramachi, who was between 1762 and 1770.

Thus, the new heir to the throne is Akishino, 53 years old. Prince Hisahito, aged 12, the only son of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, who also have two other daughters, will follow him in the line of succession. The Japanese imperial family declines, clearly reflecting the situation of the country, where the population is becoming smaller and older. Thus, there are currently only 18 members, compared to 24 in 2005, when Emperor Akihito's only daughter, Princess Nori, became a commoner after marrying a man outside the imperial circles.

The princesses, as is the case of Nori, who is now called Sayako Kuroda, must give up their status as members of the Imperial House when they marry plebeians. At present, Prince Hisahito is the only man of his generation. Six women are not yet married. It is expected that the number of members will continue to decline over the next few years.

S.D.