Exhibition celebrating Emperor’s 5th year in reign to be held at Sannomaru Shozokan

The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan (East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, Tokyo) — currently undergoing renovations to expand its capacity — is partially opening its facilities to hold an exhibition in celebration of the fifth year of the Emperor’s reign as well as the 30th wedding anniversary of the Emperor and Empress. The exhibition will run concurrently with the first part (Nov. 3- Dec. 24, 2023) of a separate exhibition held in commemoration of the partial opening.

Special Exhibition Celebrating the 5th Year of His Majesty’s Reign and the 30th Wedding Anniversary of Their Majesties
Ushering in the Reiwa Era: 30 Years in Retrospect

Nov 3 (Fri) – Dec 24 (Sun), 2023

The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan
(East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, Tokyo)

*See outline below for details

“Ushering in the Reiwa Era: 30 Years in Retrospect,” the exhibition opening on Nov. 3, will showcase about 50 items including the costumes worn by the Imperial couple in the Emperor’s enthronement ceremony (October 2019) as well as for their wedding (June 1993), the daikinban or the Imperial banners hoisted during the former and bonbonnieres — small ornamental boxes for confectionery — made on order by the Imperial Household for banquet guests. A formal dress worn by their only child Princess Aiko for her Chakko-no-Gi or Hakama-Donning Ceremony (November 2006) — Imperial ceremony to celebrate the passage into childhood — will also go on display.

*All items to go on display in this exhibition are housed at the Imperial Household Agency.

*Visitors to the museum to see this exhibition will also be able to view “The Aesthetics of the Imperial Court: Beauty Passed Down through the Ages” — an exhibition running concurrently in commemoration of the partial opening of the museum — with their general admission tickets.