Ep2 Imperial Events

Japan Monarchy 1 japan_monarchy.1 · dlc018

From somewhere out of sight, a musician gave the signal. Two ladies of the court opened the Throne's curtains. There was the Emperor, dressed in scarlet robes decorated with white and green dragons. Their volume swallowed up his seat, making him seem as if he floated on air. A curtain of beads descended from his crown. The shadows they cast hid his eyes from view. Clothing rustled around …, … fellow attendees prostrating themselves in a great wave. … followed them, and the Emperor's shadowed face disappeared from view. Days later, on the road back to Edo, … attempted to reconstruct what … had seen, yet found no purchase. … could recall the crown, the curtains, the boxes resting at the Emperor's side. Of the man himself, there was nothing to be found.

The Meiji Era japan_monarchy.2 · dlc018

Prince … has ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne as Emperor of Japan. … accession has marked the beginning of the … era, named for the promise of enlightened rule.

A gong sounded, and the curtain rose. For just an eyeblink, the audience saw the Emperor, clad in richly-decorated yellow silk, his face half-obscured. A green lacquered box rested on a stand to his left, concealing the sacred sword and jewel. And then the master-at-arms made his call, and they lowered their eyes to the floor. The herald spoke, voice strong and steady. "From the times of old, in the age of the gods, the foundations of the realm were established, and thereafter, at Kashihara, the divine Emperor founded the Imperial dynasty. The Imperial line has hence continued unbroken. In keeping with the ancient ways, and the precedent of former reigns, We now receive the Heavenly Succession and assume the Great Imperial Throne."

The Taishō Era japan_monarchy.3 · dlc018

Prince … has ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne as Emperor of Japan. … accession has marked the beginning of the … era, named for the virtue of great righteousness.

The joint groaned as a man passed along the scaffold. Yatarō held it as tightly as possible. Once the footsteps had passed, he set about locking it in place with his mallet. He could hear similar sounds from all around him. Through the corner of his eye, he could see another crew assembling the black-wood plank walls of the next building over. A foreman shouted directions at a man carrying a teetering load of thatch. In six days, the Emperor would pass through the passage he was building, part of a once-in-a-lifetime ceremony that would conclude in its destruction. He would not be able to attend. The best he could hope for was to witness its glow reflected off the clouds.

The Shōwa Era japan_monarchy.4 · dlc018

Prince … has ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne as Emperor of Japan. … accession has marked the beginning of the … era, named for the promise of enlightened peace and concord.

Four generations of the Takaishi family huddled around the radio set. The voice from it sounded as if it came from the bottom of a well, tinged with static. Giyō turned the dial one way, and then another. When it came through again, it was strong and steady. "...Chief Cabinet Secretary has issued a rescript announcing the new era. From this day onwards, the era shall be changed to the first year of …..." His mother's eyes darted over to the newspaper on the kitchen table. "Not Kobun? Is he telling the truth?" Conflicted whispering filled the room, and Giyō turned up the radio's volume dial. It was in vain. If there was anything else, he would need to read about it tomorrow.

One Emperor, One Era japan_monarchy.5 · dlc018

With the political primacy of the Imperial Court restored, the Emperor has promulgated an edict reforming the system of eras. A new era will now be declared with the accession of a new Emperor, and last for as long as he rules.

Imperial Edict The establishment of a new era upon the sacred sovereign's receiving of Heaven's mandate constitutes the exemplary model of an enlightened age, and the standard for ten thousand generations. Having inherited the great lineage and personally attended to the myriad affairs of state, I now change the era name to mark a new beginning with the myriad subjects within the realm. The … shall henceforth be known as the first year of …. From this day forward, the old system shall be reformed, establishing the principle of one era name per reign as the permanent practice.

The Death of the Daijō Tennō japan_monarchy.6 · dlc018

The Retired Emperor, abdicated father of the sitting Emperor, has passed away. … is remembered for his efforts to restore imperial prestige, and has been granted the posthumous name of ….

Tōhō dipped his brush into the ink. Its tip moved to the page, forming the characters for the day, year, and weather. It moved to the next column, and stopped. What wording would be proper? How best to express the significance of what had happened? He had heard rumors of the retired Emperor's great efforts to restore the court—he recalled his reign, the reports of the ceremonies he had revived. And then he had received the Court's envoy, and had learned the truth of it. The brush touched the paper. "Received a request for precedent regarding the Emperor's title. Consulted the Imperial Genealogy, and delivered advice..."