Intl symposium on conservation of Meiji Empress’s ceremonial court dress in Tokyo

The Meiji Jingu Intercultural Research Institute (Tokyo) is hosting an international symposium themed on a research and conservation project of a ceremonial court dress once worn by Empress Shoken (consort of Emperor Meiji; 1850-1914). In the course of conserving the imperial garment, it was learned that the dress, although Western in style, was very likely made in Japan during the late 19th century. Researchers and conservators involved in the project will attend the symposium to present the findings and to discuss the significance of preserving and passing down traditional techniques needed to make and fix such garments.

International Symposium
A Treasured Legacy: Ceremonial Court Dress of the Meiji Empress

Apr 6 (Sat), 2024
(1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

Meiji Jingu Kaikan
(Harajuku, Tokyo)

*See outline below for more info

Entitled “A Treasured Legacy: A Ceremonial Court Dress of the Meiji Empress,” the symposium will take place on Apr. 6, 2024, at the Meiji Jingu Kaikan hall on the premises of Meiji Jingu, a Shinto shrine in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Research presentations will be made by Joanna Marschner (Historic Royal Palaces-U.K.), Monica Bethe (Medieval Japanese Studies Institute-Kyoto), Sharon Takeda (Los Angeles County Museum of Art-U.S.) and Kohka Yoshimura (Bunka Fashion Research Institute, Bunka Gakuen University-Tokyo), all of whom took part in the five-year project.

Go to the Medieval Japanese Studies Institute website for more on the project, and to reserve tickets for the symposium.

Ceremonial Court Dress to go on display

The ceremonial court dress and some other court dresses once worn by the Meiji Empress will be put on display during the first term (Apr. 6-May 6) of “Dresses of the Meiji Era: A treasured legacy,” a special exhibition opening at the nearby Meiji Jingu Museum on the same day as the symposium.

Dresses of the Meiji Era: A treasured legacy

Apr 6 (Sat) – Jun 30 (Sun), 2024
1st term: Apr 6 (Sat)-May 6 (Mon)
2nd term: May 25 (Sat)-Jun 30 (Sun)

Meiji Jingu Museum
(Harajuku, Tokyo)

*Ceremonial Court Dress on display only during the first term. See outline below for more info

*Attendees of the symposium will receive a ticket (free of charge) for the exhibition (valid for the duration of the first term).