In the very center of Tokyo, in the middle of a picturesque park, stands a beautiful palace. The most mysterious resident of the country lives here - the Emperor of Japan. Today is December 23, and the Kokeso Palace is surrounded on all sides by a crowd of Japanese. This is one of two days a year when they can enter the magnificent chambers and see their emperor. After all, today is his birthday, the Emperor of Japan is 80 years old.

Emperor of Japan

Akihito is the country's 125th emperor. When the boy was very small, according to existing traditions, he was taken from his mother and raised in accordance with the canons of education of the present. crown prince. Japanese traditions limit the future emperor's communication with relatives. Meetings with his parents are allowed only a few times a month - at this moment they look at each other almost silently, and then he is again taken to his room by strict tutors.

Emperor of Japan Akihito

Childhood of the Crown Prince

Studying at school did not help the situation. At 7 years of age future emperor ended up in a special school for the upper classes. But even here he could not be an ordinary boy and play with the guys. After all, children's pranks are not accessible to the Living God! This is how Akihito spent 12 years of his life - all these years he spent most of the time communicating with his fish. The Emperor has not given up this activity even now and is the author of several dozen scientific works on ichthyology. In 1986 he became an honorary member of the international Linnean Society of London.

Traditions of the Imperial Family

The history of the imperial house of Japan is surrounded by many myths, secrets and prejudices - after all, the dynasty has ruled for more than 1.5 thousand years! The most amazing thing is that during all this time the royal family has no surname. Her position on the imperial throne is so strong and unshakable that no surname is needed at all. Every Japanese emperor is considered a descendant of Amaterasu, the most famous Shinto deity. It is divine origin that guarantees the crown prince the absence of any rivals in the struggle for the throne. Therefore, attempts to overthrow the imperial dynasty have never been made in the history of the country in Japan.

Symbols of the Imperial House

The attributes of the emperor's reign are a mirror, a sword and a jasper seal. In Japan, they are believed to represent power and have real sacred power. Three regalia are passed from father to son when the prince takes office. The imperial coat of arms depicts a sign of longevity - a 16-petalled chrysanthemum. The Japanese have a popular legend that wine infused with its petals prolongs life to eight thousand years.

The Emperor can do anything

Once upon a time, the emperor was considered the high priest of Shinto and had absolute, unquestionable authority. But in the 12th century, the samurai took away power, leaving the emperor with only symbolic powers. Now, in accordance with the country's constitution, the emperor has no real powers to govern the state and is only a symbol of the country and the unity of the nation. He is deprived of the right not only to be elected, but even to vote or express his opinion on the political situation in Japan. In fact, the emperor is one of the most powerless citizens and is considered the same ordinary symbol of statehood as a coat of arms, flag or anthem.

Monarch Family

Akihito received the throne in 1989. The motto of his reign is “Peace and Tranquility.” Having suffered as a child, he made a number of significant changes to the centuries-old traditions of the imperial family, for example, he married a girl from ordinary family and began to independently raise his children - a daughter and two sons.

The Emperor and his wife visit Fukushima

Duties of the Emperor

Akihito pursues an active public policy, engages in charity work, participates in international meetings and goes on visits abroad. However, the Emperor of Japan is not a public person, and his voice can be heard extremely rarely. One of these moments was the tragic earthquake in 2011, during which the monarch addressed the residents of the country. The voice of the emperor with divine origin emphasized the importance of the event and eliminated the panic that had spread among the Japanese.

Imperial chambers

The domain of the royal castle is divided into two parts. In the eastern half, the Eastern Garden of the Imperial Palace is open to everyone. On the western side are the palace, the luxurious Fukiage Garden and the private quarters of Emperor Akihito, his relatives and a huge crowd of courtiers. The Emperor's Palace is a closed area. You can get here only twice a year: on January 2, the imperial family receives congratulations on the New Year, and on December 23, the emperor celebrates his birthday.

Emperor's Birthday

On this day, everything is planned down to the minute. Akihito approaches the bulletproof window with his wife and children and allows his subjects to express their delight. At this moment, the palace is deafened by incessant greetings and shouts against the backdrop of a sea of ​​flags with the coat of arms of Japan. The emperor pronounces words of gratitude to the people, wishes them prosperity and blesses them for a happy life. The Japanese, in return, traditionally wish the monarch many years successful government to strengthen Japan's national pride.

Photo: thinkstockphotos.com, flickr.com

Surprisingly, the Emperor of Japan is not actually the head of state. His status is to represent the Land of the Rising Sun at meetings, on trips abroad, on public holidays and in other ceremonies. A reasonable question arises: “Who rules Japan?” The answer is simple. According to the Constitution, all the reins of government of the country are in the hands of the Prime Minister. It is he who makes all important decisions for the state and signs various international agreements. But has it always been like this?

History of the origin and development of the title

Like many things in Japanese culture and tradition, the title of emperor was borrowed from neighboring China. In the Taoist religion there was a term "Tianhuang". This was the name of the North Star, which was considered the “Master of the Sky.” But this term was not used as a title by Chinese emperors.

In Ancient Japan, rulers were first referred to by the terms "Sumera Mikoto" or "Suberogi", which translated as "Ruling Master". The second meaning of the word "mikoto" was "deity".

The modern title of emperor, pronounced by the Japanese as "Tenno" (天皇), that is, "Master of the Sky", was first used in the land of the rising sun by Prince Regent Shotoku. This became the main term for addressing the rulers of the state. But other words were also used, the purpose of which was to emphasize and enhance the divine nature of emperors in the eyes of their subjects. Such terms included: Akitsu-mikami (translated as “incarnation of deity”) and arahito-gami (that is, “man-God”) and many other ancient Japanese words (“his reigning highness”, “first”, “great master” "). They first came into use as addresses to emperors at the end of the 7th century.

The term “hi-no-miko” was also used as a title for rulers. Which means "Son of the Sun". It has been preserved since the time of the Shinto religion, that is, even before the appearance of Taoism, Buddhism and Christianity in Japan. It is believed that the first emperor of the Land of the Rising Sun was the great-great-grandson of Amaterasu, one of the supreme deities of Shinto. According to Shinto religious tenets, it illuminates the heavens. That is, she is the goddess of the Sun, who has great respect and reverence among believers, and is now identical to Buddha. According to statistics from the Ministry of Culture and Science of Japan, Shintoism is still the leading most popular religion among the population of the Land of the Rising Sun.

In addition, titles applied to the emperors of China (“master of the Celestial Empire”, “southern-faced”, “son of Heaven”, “master of a myriad of chariots”), as well as terms from Buddhism (“holy master”, “golden wheel”, “ lord of the ten virtues”), since historically emperors helped in every possible way to introduce and develop this religious trend in Japan.

Such a variety of words of address is due to the emergence of the tradition of prohibiting the pronunciation of the titles and names of emperors. Which is directly related to beliefs about the possibility of the ruler being evil eyed by evil spirits and the like, taken from Japanese mythology. Such fears led to the fact that emperors were often called words associated with the locations of their residences: “palace” (in Japanese “singi”), “gate” (“mikado”), “chambers” (“uchi”) and others .

An interesting fact is that the names of the monarchs during their lifetime in the Land of the Rising Sun are still banned and do not appear in any of the official documents in Japanese. And after death, they are given double names, one of them is “Tenno”, that is, a title, and the second indicates the merits of the deceased (for example, “Emperor of the Enlightened Rule” or “Emperor Divine Warrior”). Throughout the rest of the world, Japanese rulers are referred to by their birth names, with the addition of "His Majesty" and "His Majesty the Emperor".

The meanings of the listed titles emphasize and help to understand the fundamentality and “divinity” of the origin of the emperors of Japan. The imperial status of the high priest was strengthened, and through rituals and holidays, they were identified with God. Thus, both their methods of government and all decisions made were made in the Divine name and had to be accepted and carried out unquestioningly.

After Emperor Meiji carried out comprehensive measures to introduce political, economic and a number of other changes to legislation, the political system and many spheres of life of the Japanese, it was decided that from 1868, for official relations with other countries, 2 terms would be used to designate the Japanese emperor - "Tenno" and "Kotei". But since 1936, there has been only one official title, “Tenno,” for use in international documents in Japanese, which has the meaning “Emperor” in all Western countries.

Legends of the Emperors of Japan

There is an ancient Shinto legend about the origin of the Japanese emperors. It says that one of the supreme deities Amaterasu sent her grandson Ninigi to Earth. He was to become the ruler of the islands of Japan, which were previously created by the parents of the sun goddess. Before long journey Amaterasu handed her grandson three magical objects: a necklace made of precious stones, bronze mirror and sword. Ninigi needed them to make his way out of the sky easier.

Coming down to the island of Kyushu, the prince brought with him many of the gods still revered, as well as the ancestors of some of the most ancient Japanese families. Subsequently, many of these clans sacredly revered and worshiped their ancestor god.

Goddess Amaterasu

Already on Earth, Ninigi married and had children. Jimmu became the first emperor of Japan on Earth. This is the grandson of Niniga, to whom the latter gave his regalia. The Japanese generally believe that Jimmu ruled from 660 BC. But in official documents The reign of the emperor was first noted only at the beginning of the 5th century AD, which further strengthens the “divinity” of the monarch in the eyes of the Japanese.

Emperor Jimmu

Prince Ninigi is considered the god of the germination and harvest of rice, an important staple of the Japanese diet for thousands of years, as evidenced by the annual First Rice Festival held in the emperor's palace and the rituals of worship of his grandson Amaterasu.

Today, the three regalia presented by the Sun Goddess Ninigi are considered symbols of Japanese emperors. But none of the Japanese subjects ever saw these objects, since they were constantly kept by the priests. And the emperor could personally see them only at the time of the procedure of ascension to the throne.

However, in July 1945, when the threat of surrender arose over Japan, and the emperor understood that the country would not be able to resist American influence, an order was given to the priests to protect the regalia at the cost of their lives. Today no one knows exactly where the symbols of imperial power are kept. But some historians suggest that the precious jasper necklace is kept in the imperial palace in the current capital of Japan, the sword is hidden somewhere in Nagoya, and the bronze mirror is hidden in the main Shinto shrine of Japan, the Ise-Jingu Temple, dedicated to the goddess Amaterasu.

And according to one of the unofficial versions, all three original regalia were lost during legendary battle clans Minamoto and Taira, and later replaced by copies.

Brief overview of the history of imperial power

The country underwent many unexpected changes in the ruling circles - at first the state was led by emperors, then by regents, which later replaced the totalitarian regime of the shogunate, and then the power of monarchs resumed. Fate was not always kind to the Japanese emperors. One of turning points so did 1945, the period after Japan's defeat in World War II.

Thus, in the same year, Shinto ceased to be the state religion. In 1946, the reigning Emperor Hirohito renounced his divine origins. In 1947, the new Constitution of Japan was adopted, according to which the emperor was declared a symbol of the state and the unity of the nation; now he can participate in various ceremonies (present various awards, receive ambassadors), but must coordinate all his actions with the Cabinet of Ministers. Also, the monarch is deprived of all functions of governing the state and has no right to interfere with the leadership of the country by the prime minister. In addition, imperial property can be inherited only with the consent of Parliament.

Also in 1947, it was signed new law, according to which the monarch remains ruler until the end of his days. The heir is chosen from among his male relatives.

In total, the history of Japan includes 125 emperors.

Famous Emperors of Japan

Here is a list of some of the famous Japanese rulers:

1. Jimmu - great-great-grandson of Amaterasu, the first emperor of Japan, promoted the migration of Japanese tribes and the creation of their union, allegedly founded the Japanese state;
2. Suizei is the first of the "eight unrecorded emperors", about whom nothing is known except their names and genealogy, and not a single legend has been composed;
3. Sujin - expanded the possessions of Yamato and established diplomatic relations with the rulers of the South Korean territories;
4. Odzin actively established foreign economic and political relations with Korea.
5. Nintoku - under his personal control and leadership, the first engineering structure in Japan was created - protective ramparts on the Kawachi Plain;
6. Suiko - during his reign, Buddhism was officially recognized in the country;
7. Tenji was a poet;
8. Kammu - moved the capital from Nara to Kyoto, which marked the beginning of the Heian period;
9. Yozei is a poet of the waka genre, also known for the fact that he remained on the throne for only 8 years, after which he was overthrown by his brother because of mental disorder, cruelty and tyranny;
10. Sutoku - Hogen unleashed the turmoil;
11. Meiji - changed the name of the city of Edo to Tokyo and made it the capital of the country. Also known for his reforms, which restored the absolute power of the monarchy.
12. Hirohito - many countries believe that he is responsible for starting World War II. He renounced his divine origin in order to protect Japan from complete occupation by the Americans.

Emperor of Japan. Modernity

Today, the head of state is His Majesty Akihito. He is famous for the fact that he broke centuries-old marriage traditions, according to which Japanese emperors married girls from the most noble families. The real empress, whose name is Michiko Shoda, does not have an aristocratic origin, but is the daughter of the head of a large flour milling company. But the Imperial Household Council agreed with Akihito's choice, and the wedding took place on April 10, 1959.

Naruhito, the eldest son of the current Emperor of Japan, has been declared crown prince.

Today, despite the very small powers of the emperor, the people treat their "Tenno" with respect and reverence. One proof of this is that the emperor’s birthday is a national holiday and has been celebrated in Japan on December 23 since 1989. It is on this day and on January 2 that the gates of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, which is closed to visitors the rest of the time, are opened every year. On his birthday, the emperor and his wife appear on the balcony, where they greet the huge crowd of subjects who have gathered for several minutes.

The history of the monarchy in Japan is more than 2 thousand years old. This article tells about the history of the appearance of the title of Emperor of Japan, legends associated with the ruling house, and the modern functions of the head of state.

If you are reading this article, you may be dreaming of traveling to Japan someday. You may have even already chosen a time and place. But did you know that most of the population of the Land of the Rising Sun does not speak English? What will you say to the Emperor of Japan if you see him in person?(just kidding) To make your trip unforgettable, I would advise you to learn at least the basics of the Japanese language. You know, the Japanese are very happy when foreigners say even the simplest phrases to them!

How to learn Japanese? To begin with, I suggest you sign up for ours.

SUMERAGI

Imperial dynasty of Japan

This ruling house is considered the most ancient of all existing royal dynasties in the world. Of course, the emperors of Japan did not always have full power. For a long time (1192–1867), the actual rulers of the country were the shoguns (there were three dynasties of shoguns: Minamoto (1192–1333), Ashikaga (1335 (1338)–1573) and Tokugawa (1603–1867)).

At present, the monarchical system of Japan has ideally adapted to democratic orders: the emperor, without having political power, still occupies a vital place in society, as the Japanese continue to consider the monarch an integral element of their national culture.

If you believe the historical chronicles of the Land of the Rising Sun “Kojiki” (712) and “Nihongi” (720), then the first emperor ascended the throne of Japan back in 660 BC. e. The accession, naturally, did not happen without the intervention of the gods... Chronicles report that the goddess Amaterasu Omikami, who occupies a central place in the Shinto pantheon, decided to give power over Japan to her grandson, Ninigi no Mikoto. The caring grandmother, after giving her descendant the necessary instructions on how to govern the country, presented him with three valuable gifts as a guarantee of peace and tranquility of the new dynasty and the entire state. Amaterasu Omikami presented her grandson with a bronze mirror, a sword and jasper pendants. At the same time, she said: “Illuminate the world as brightly as this mirror. Rule the world with the miraculous swing of these jasper pendants. Subdue those who will not obey you by shaking this divine sword." Thus, Japan found the progenitor of the imperial dynasty.

Ninigi no Mikoto passed on the goddess's gifts to his descendants as the greatest treasure. According to the same chronicles, the title of emperor (tenno) was first accepted by the great-grandson of Ninigi no Mikoto - Jimmu (711–585 BC), with the myth of which the second section of the Kojiki epic begins. The name of this ruler opens a long list of monarchs of the Land of the Rising Sun. Actually, only from the time of Jimmu do we know the officially recorded dates of the reign of representatives of the Japanese imperial dynasty. Jimmu himself was in power from 660–585 BC. e. Naturally, as befits a person related to the supreme deity, he was not only able to communicate directly with the gods, but was also endowed with an impressive magical power... And the possession of the relics, once given by Amaterasu Omikami to her grandson, remained a prerequisite for the accession of the next emperor to the throne and the key to his successful reign.

In addition to myths and legends, the tales of Jimmu brought to us information about very real historical events(for example, about the campaigns of the tribes inhabiting Kyushu at that time to the island of Honshu). Two temples are dedicated to this ruler - in Miyazaki and in Kashiwara. In addition, the Japanese owe the existence of one of the most famous national holidays to Jimmu - Kigensetsu, which is celebrated on February 11 (currently this ancient holiday is called Kenkoku Kinenbi - State Foundation Day). It is believed that this holiday commemorates the day when Jimmu first sat on Chrysanthemum Throne.

For obvious reasons, historians do not consider the Kojiki and Nihongi to be models of accuracy and are somewhat doubtful that the chronicles contain reliable historical information. In addition to stories about the first emperors of Japan, they contain many myths and legends. Historians and archaeologists consider the 3rd–4th centuries AD to be a more plausible time for the emergence of imperial power; then the power of the Yamato tribal union spread over an impressive territory: from the island of Kyushu in the south to the Kanto Plain in the north. At that time, the rulers of Japan could truly boast of true greatness. This is evidenced, for example, by the burial of Nintoku, the 16th emperor of the Land of the Rising Sun, who reigned in the 4th century AD. e. A huge complex, the size of which is 753? 656 m, was discovered during excavations in Osaka Prefecture.

It is reliably known that from the middle of the 7th century, Japanese emperors began to bear the title tenno - “heavenly ruler”. Since that time, when mentioning the ruler of the country, the formula has been constantly used that he “rules the world, being the incarnation of a deity.” Emperor Temmu (c. 631–686) was particularly fascinated by the divine origins of his dynasty and the country as a whole. It was he who introduced the name Nippon for Japan, the spelling of which includes the hieroglyph for “sun”.

And now let's go to the 8th century, or rather to its very beginning. At that time, the imperial court was undergoing serious changes, and the system of government of the country underwent a radical restructuring. Now everything was organized according to the Chinese model, with its characteristic rigid centralization of power. It is interesting that at this time the descendant of Amaterasu was not only an emperor: he combined the role of the ruler of the state with the duties of the high priest of the cult of his own ancestor. However, for a long time, the emperors of Japan failed to maintain the highest both secular and spiritual power in the same hands.

Due to the fact that Japan knew practically no external threat, and the bureaucratic management system was constantly being improved, the palace aristocracy gradually began to gain more and more great strength. The Fujiwara clan especially emerged at that time. As a result, the institution of regency arose in Japan, which led to the reduction of the once all-powerful tenno to a symbolic ruler... At the levers of real power were representatives of one or another influential clan, who always wanted to drown their competitors in blood in order to get to leadership positions. It is not surprising that the Land of the Rising Sun quickly reached a state of crisis.

The descendants of Amaterasu Omikami, meanwhile, were looking for ways to regain their lost positions. A significant step in this direction was made at the end of the 11th century by Emperor Shirakawa (1053–1129; reigned 1073–1087), who fought against the growing influence of local feudal lords and the Buddhist elite. He was the first to apply the so-called practice of insei - abdication of the throne and adoption of monasticism. In his new capacity, Shirakawa, who no longer held any official positions, continued to govern the country. Since that time, such royal monks again regained the position of the most influential force in the country: they became the largest landowners (more than half of all land in Japan was concentrated under their control), maintained not only numerous and well-trained troops, but also their own police.

In the 10th–14th centuries, the fate of the imperial dynasty of Japan was in the hands of three related families: Taira, Minamoto and Hojo. The first of the mentioned clans was closest to the emperor, and therefore managed to seize all the key positions in the government and at court. Later, the Minamoto clan ousted their rivals from their positions when, after a bloody war between the two clans, the victors founded new uniform government- shogunate (military government). After the head of the Minamoto clan received the title of shogun from the tenno and all the feudal lords of Japan with their samurai and lands were under his command, the power of the emperor himself turned into a fiction. The 96th Emperor, Go-Daigo (1288–1339; reigned 1318–1339), tried to rectify the situation, who wanted at all costs to regain the powers that had once belonged to the tenno. Before his coronation, bearing the name of Prince Takaharu, for the first time in many centuries he Japanese history ascended the throne as an adult. When his father Go-Uda (1267–1324) devoted himself entirely to religious affairs in 1321, the young emperor decided that the time had come to take control of the country into his own hands, getting rid of the overly active guardians in the person of numerous regents, ex-emperors and feudal lords. He demonstrated his desire to finally restore order in the country even when he was choosing his posthumous name. Takaharu recalled the "golden age" of his dynasty, which coincided with the reign of Emperor Daigo (885–930). Therefore, he chose the name Go-Daigo, which means “follower of Daigo.”

To begin with, the new monarch alienated the hereditary aristocrats from himself and eagerly turned for help to those who were not so well-born, but much more capable and talented people. In 1319–1322, Go-Daigo carried out a series of economic reforms and forced the government to flexibly manage the financial situation through taxation. Thanks to this, Go-Daigo was able to establish complete control over the imperial capital of Kyoto and the surrounding areas.

In 1324, the shogunal authorities uncovered a conspiracy organized by the emperor. Indirect evidence pointed this out quite clearly. However, the tenno sent a letter to the shogun in which he denied his involvement in this conspiracy. Go-Daigo's statement was believed, and the conspirators did not even suffer serious punishment. In Japan, meanwhile, there was a wave of uprisings against the government of the Minamoto shoguns.

After Crown Prince Kuniyoshi suddenly died in 1326, his place, despite the emperor's protest, was taken by a representative of another line of the dynasty, Kazuhito (later Emperor Kogon). Then Go-Daigo again resorted to a conspiracy against the shogun, which he personally led. When the feudal lords discovered the monarch's intentions in 1331, he, taking with him the sacred relics that gave him the right to the Chrysanthemum Throne, fled to the province of Kawachi under the protection of the commander Kusunoki Masashige. The civil war began.

Go-Daigo was defeated and, captured, was forced to give the sacred relics to the new emperor - Kogon. But even after being exiled to the Oki Islands, he refused to recognize the power of his successor. Originated in Japan partisan movement, led by the son of the captive emperor, Prince Moriyoshi (former abbot of the Enryakuji Temple on Mount Hiei) and Kusunoki Masashige. The military successes of the rebels were so significant that unrest spread throughout the country. Go-Daigo was able to return from exile and in 1333 he himself led the uprising.

Military operations were carried out against the Hojo clan, which by that time had effectively ruled the state behind the backs of the Minamoto shoguns for more than a century. In the same 1333, the commander of the army of the shogunate, Ashikaga Takauji, at a decisive moment took the side of Go-Daigo and captured Kyoto. At the same time, another former commander of the shogun, Nitta Yoshisada, took Kamakura by storm. Following this, the entire Hojo household and its many retainers committed seppuku (ritual suicide). Go-Daigo again took the throne of Japan, after which he made dramatic changes in the government, began land reform and the distribution of awards. However, tenno adopted the wrong policy regarding the samurai: he significantly reduced the rights and privileges of these warriors, which greatly undermined his authority. In addition, too many mistakes were made during the redistribution of land, which led to terrible confusion.

The Emperor also held a series administrative reforms. State authorities were staffed by both aristocrats and the military. By appointing military and civilian governors, the emperor was able to establish control over all of Japan for some time, but this step led to aggravation of contradictions between the rulers of individual provinces. Go-Daigo also took a number of measures to reform financial policy and relations with religious institutions. The government's adoption of so many new decisions increased confusion and angered the military.

Ashikaga Takauji, meanwhile, became a recognized authority in the government and among the samurai. To prevent the rise of this warlord, Go-Daigo awarded the highest military title to Prince Moriyoshi. He openly conflicted with Takauji, and after a few months the emperor, under pressure from the military, reversed his decision and allowed his son to be arrested. This did not help Go-Daigo retain his throne. Rebellions broke out again in Japan, but this time in support of Ashikaga Takauji. He withdrew from the imperial court, and then defeated the troops of Nitta Yoshisada, loyal to the emperor. Entering Kamakura victorious, Ashikaga Takauji proclaimed himself shogun. In 1336, he installed his protégé, Emperor Kōmyō, on the throne.

Go-Daigo had no choice but to leave with a small number of his supporters to the Yoshino Mountains, where the so-called Southern Court was founded. Meanwhile, in Kyoto there was a government controlled by the new shogun - the Northern Court. The confrontation between the two centers of power lasted from 1337 to 1392, when the Southern Court finally fell into decay and ceased to exist. Go-Daigo himself left the throne in 1339, leaving it to his son Go-Murakami (1328–1368). The abdicated ruler died the day after his abdication.

For several centuries, the emperors of the Land of the Rising Sun had no more than the appearance of power, they were a kind of symbol, a tribute to tradition. Naturally, they tried more than once to change the situation, but to no avail, especially since the Sengoku-jidai era gave Japan powerful and talented commanders and rulers - Oda Nobunaga (1534–1582) and Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536–1598). Compared to them, the nominal rulers of Japan seemed nothing more than pale shadows. And Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542–1616) founded the shogun dynasty and the most powerful military-feudal regime in the history of Japan, which buried the hopes of the imperial dynasty to regain real power for 250 years.

When Japan was actually ruled by shoguns, the emperor, who was assigned a palace in Kyoto, was forced to do only what he spent at court magnificent ceremonies, performances of ancient Bugaku dances, poetry and calligraphy competitions and sports competitions. An echo of the then-established tradition has survived to this day: such events are still part of the official entertainment of the Japanese imperial court.

Until the middle of the 19th century, the rulers of the Land of the Rising Sun were forced to be content with the purely religious power that remained with them. The situation changed radically with the accession to the throne of Emperor Mutsuhito (1852–1912). This powerful, far-sighted and talented politician in 1868 risked starting an armed conflict with the shogunate, which resulted in the so-called Meiji revolution. This time, the descendant of the goddess was lucky: Mutsuhito managed to emerge victorious and gained full state power. To secure achievements achieved and to protect the Chrysanthemum Throne from becoming a symbol, the Emperor insisted that in 1889 Japan pass a fundamental law declaring the country a constitutional monarchy. During the Meiji era, the capital of Japan moved to Edo (1869), which was called the “Eastern Capital” - Tokyo.

Despite significant changes, at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, the powers of the emperor were somewhat limited - the government played a significant role in matters of foreign and domestic policy. A particularly difficult fate befell Hirohito (1901–1989), the 124th emperor who ascended the throne in 1926. State duties were entrusted to him back in 1921, when the health of Emperor Yoshihito (1879–1926) sharply deteriorated, and he was forced to transfer many of his concerns to his heir, who received the title of regent. The years of Hirohito's reign went down in history as the Showa era. This representative of the dynasty was to occupy the Chrysanthemum Throne until 1989. Even his ancestors, distinguished by their enviable longevity, could envy such a long reign, unusual even for the imperial house of Japan. It was under this monarch that the Land of the Rising Sun experienced truly difficult times. Such pages of Japanese history as participation in military adventures (the result of militarists being in power), the rapid expansion of the colonial empire, continuous war in 1937–1945, Hiroshima and Nagasaki burned in the hellish flames of atomic bombs, the surrender of a militaristic state, foreign occupation and years of devastation , followed by a period of economic prosperity, which began to be called the “Japanese miracle,” had a huge international resonance.

During the Showa era, the very role of the emperor in the life of the country was rethought. Until 1945, the ruler of the Land of the Rising Sun, according to the 1889 constitution, had absolute power in the country - legislative, executive, judicial and military. Hirohito, like his predecessors, was considered specially sacred and inviolable, and literally sacred... Does this mean that responsibility for many crimes, such as the war of aggression against China, the colonial robbery of the South- East Asia and the attack on Pearl Harbor lies entirely on the conscience of the emperor? Hirohito himself and his supporters denied their guilt for crimes against peace and humanity. They insisted that the absolute power of the emperor was only on paper, but in reality there was a constitutional monarchy in Japan, so that all affairs in the country were in charge of the government and the Genro (Council of Elders). But the emperor had to answer for everything. On January 1, 1946, Hirohito publicly renounced the divinity of his dynasty's origins.

In this regard, in the new Japanese constitution, which came into force in May 1948, the emperor was proclaimed “the symbol of the state and the unity of the people,” and sovereign power was the prerogative of the people themselves. Since then, the monarch occupying the Chrysanthemum Throne has performed exclusively ceremonial and formal functions. In particular, his responsibilities include confirming the appointments and resignations of senior officials proposed by the government, accepting credentials from foreign ambassadors, endorsing official government documents, and presenting honorary awards. All actions of the emperor, which in one way or another can affect state affairs, are controlled by the cabinet of ministers and carried out only with his approval.

After Hirohito passed away, the Chrysanthemum Throne was taken by his eldest son Akihito (born in 1933). Hirohito had seven children in total - five daughters and two sons. Akihito, the 125th emperor of the dynasty, began his reign on January 7, 1989. Since 1991, the heir apparent (crown prince) is the eldest son of the monarch, Naruhito (born in 1960).

The Crown Prince is an extraordinary person. Those who know him well describe Naruhito as a determined person with enviable self-control. In 1982, he graduated from the history department of the literary department of Gakushuin University, after which he entered graduate school at Oxford University. In March 1988, Naruhito received his master's degree from the same Gakushuin University. The Prince is also a member of the local center historical research, and in 1991 received an honorary Doctor of Science degree. In addition, the heir to the Chrysanthemum Throne goes on official visits abroad as a representative of the Japanese imperial dynasty.

The prince was fond of music since childhood, playing the violin and then the viola. During his studies, he and his friends organized a small string ensemble.

With my future wife Prince Owada Masako first met at a reception in 1986. Naruhito at that time was already 26 years old, and she was 21. All of Japan was closely watching the attempts of the heir to the throne to start a family; this story was very reminiscent of a drama.

It seems that no one wanted this marriage except the prince himself. His parents believed that Masako was not a person of sufficiently noble origin: Naruhito’s chosen one was the daughter of the country’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Masako spent most of her life abroad, moving from country to country with her parents (including visiting kindergarten in Moscow). After graduating from school, the girl entered Harvard University, specialized in economics, and graduated with honors in 1985.

Masako eventually decided to become a diplomat. Returning to Japan, she went to work at the University of Tokyo, and a year later, having passed all the necessary exams, she became a translator for the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. When Prince Naruhito appeared on her life horizon, the girl faced a difficult choice: her usual life, prospects career growth, trips around the world, friends - or marriage, which did not seem attractive at all... Both Masako and her parents knew too well what was hidden behind the high-profile title of princess.

Despite the fact that Japan is one of the most developed countries in the world, the imperial family still lives according to the laws of a thousand years ago! And if the emperor is almost a god, and his heir is perhaps the most spoiled child in the entire universe, the princess in Japan is an empty place. She has no civil rights. The wife of the heir to the throne doesn't even have a passport! It is clear that princesses never participate in elections... Work in their specialty is also ordered for them. The only acceptable pastime for the princess is sewing kimonos and reading ancient poems. What can I say! In the palace, the princess must express herself exclusively in hexameter (!) and pronounce no more than five words per minute! And she can leave the walls of her home only accompanied by her husband; she should walk three steps behind her husband, with her head bowed low and, if possible, in silence.

Needless to say, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs did not want such a fate for his daughter?! Moreover, Masako was not only beautiful, but also talented. So Naruhito, who made an offer through acquaintances, received a decisive refusal. Masako (out of harm’s way) went to Oxford. But the stubborn heir continued to pursue his goal. It took him almost six years to finally achieve his goal!

In 1992, Naruhito again received a refusal from his chosen one. On October 20, the Owada family submitted an official refusal to the Imperial Household Office. The prince again began to besiege the girl, and finally Masako surrendered. After six years of persistent courtship, the 28-year-old translator agreed to the marriage, hoping that it would “serve the interests of Japan.” Naruhito had to promise: his wife would not face the fate of a high-ranking housewife... The future princess, who declared that her heart “was kindled with love for wonderful person", was presented to Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, after which the couple announced their engagement in December 1992. On June 9, 1993, the wedding of the heir to the throne and his chosen one took place, performed according to the traditional Shinto rite of Japan. From that moment on, Masako's life began to be measured with a ruler and a stopwatch.

After the first press conference of the married couple, the monarchists fell into hysterics: the princess spoke... nine seconds longer than her husband! Then Masako began to be reproached for being too tall- she is three centimeters taller than the heir to the throne. The woman was instructed to walk with a slouch. European dresses, and especially jeans, were out of the question: from now on Masako had to wear only a kimono.

Naturally, the heir’s wife initially tried to defend her right to work, study, drive a car herself, travel without security and wear what she likes. Naturally, she lost on all counts. The reigning empress, a year after her son’s wedding, clearly expressed her attitude towards attempts to change the ancient foundations: “There will be no second lady Di in our family!” Masako was told that she should only think about giving the nation an heir: the Chrysanthemum Throne is passed on only through the direct male line, and children of the required gender have not been born into the imperial family since 1965. So special hopes were placed on the princess.

Masako was so “pecked” by considerations of a higher order that she turned into a silent shadow of her own husband... Finally, in 1999, it was announced that the princess was expecting a child. But the joy was short-lived: Masako’s pregnancy ended in miscarriage. According to the doctors, this happened solely due to the severe nervous overstrain in which she lived.

In 2001, the Japanese media, interrupting all planned programs, conveyed the message: the 38-year-old princess would soon become a mother. However, the Japanese were again disappointed - Masako gave birth to a daughter in December... Baby Aiko (“favorite child”) did not solve the problems of the prince and his wife. The Emperor and Empress did not hide their disappointment, and Michiko generally refused to see her daughter-in-law and granddaughter for several months (!). It is clear that Masako’s nerves finally gave way. She began to miss official events, and in December 2003 she was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of shingles. But this is the official diagnosis. In fact, the princess's illness was more scary name- “manic-depressive psychosis”... In May 2004, Masako shouted to her relatives to let her go, having failed to fulfill her duty, and Naruhito for the first time violated all decency and accused the press and parents of hounding his wife. Contrary to all traditions, the “wrong” prince was on his knees begging his wife for forgiveness for failing to protect her.

Perhaps this was the first time in the entire existence of the Japanese imperial dynasty when love and family turned out to be more valuable than the throne for the heir to the throne. For the first time, the prince openly spoke out in defense of his wife, who did not fit into the demands of palace life. And then... Emperor Akihito himself trembled. At the insistence of the monarch and his son, a special commission examined the situation where there was no male heir. The commission recommended that parliament change the law on succession to the throne. According to opinion polls, this decision is supported, oddly enough, by more than 80% of the country's residents. So little Aiko may one day sit on the Chrysanthemum Throne and become a symbol of the nation. She won’t have to sew a kimono and speak in hexameter all her life!

Recently funds mass media They reported another piece of news: Princess Kiko, the wife of Emperor Akihito’s second son, Prince Fumihito, became pregnant. Perhaps the law on succession to the throne will not need to be changed.

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The Japanese Imperial House is the oldest continuous dynasty in the modern world.

Its durability and constancy are determined by two circumstances. Firstly, the emperor is considered a descendant of the supreme goddess Amaterasu. An attempt to change the dynasty, according to the Japanese, would lead to the gods turning away from the country. Secondly, since ancient times the emperor has not had real political power. Therefore, Japanese politicians fought and are fighting not for the throne, but for the right to rule the country on behalf of the emperor.

This does not mean, however, that the influence of the emperor on the life of Japan is insignificant. As the high priest of Shinto, the emperor performs a number of important ceremonies related to fertility rites, which the Japanese still attach great value. Also associated with the names of the emperors are two of the most important events in the modern history of the country - the Meiji Restoration, when the young emperor gave permission to reform the country according to the European model, and the surrender in World War II, when only the emperor Hirohito was able to accept responsibility for this difficult decision.

Total for at the moment There have been 124 emperors in Japanese history. Current ruler of the country Akihito– 125th.

The dynasty of Japanese emperors does not have a surname or title (like the “Romanov dynasty” or “Ming dynasty”). Therefore, members of the imperial family do not have surnames, only personal names.

The Imperial Seal of Japan is a symbol in the form of a yellow or orange 16-petalled chrysanthemum. Since the Kamakura period, it has been considered the emblem of Japanese emperors and members of the Japanese imperial family. The imperial seal is sometimes used as state emblem, Although There is no official national emblem in Japan.

Mottos of the board

The reigns of the emperors are designated by mottos ( nengo), which are accepted by emperors upon accession to the throne. For example, Akihito rules under the motto "Heisei"(“Peace and tranquility”). A system of mottos based on the Chinese model was “introduced” by the emperor in the middle of the 7th century Kotoku. The traditional Japanese calendar is kept according to the mottos of the board.

During one reign, several mottos could be changed. Usually the motto of the board changed as a result of the troubles befalling the state. Then it was believed that this motto was displeasing to the gods. The emperor could also change the motto of his reign to mark some important event in his life. So, during the reign of the emperor Godaigo 8 mottos were changed in 21 years. Accordingly, each time the chronology began anew.

During the Meiji Restoration, it was decided to give only one motto to the years of the emperor's reign to avoid confusion in the calendar.

Posthumous names

After the death of the emperor, he is given a posthumous name ( okurina), which should briefly characterize his reign. It is under their posthumous names that emperors are known in history.

Like the motto system, the posthumous name system was borrowed from China in the 7th century. Initially, the posthumous names were long and Japanese, but then it was decided to make them short and Chinese, in the manner of the mottos of the reign. All previous emperors were given posthumous names retroactively.

During the Meiji Restoration, it was decided to consider the posthumous name of the emperor as the motto of his reign.

Emperor of Japan

List of emperors

For reasons of convenience, this table arranges the emperors in reverse chronological order.

Emperor's name (name of the board)	Beginning of reign (coronation)	End of reign
Akihito (Heisei)	1989 (1990)
Hirohito (Showa)	1926 (1928)	1989
Yoshihito (Taisho)	1912 (1915)	1926
Mutsohito (Meiji)	1866 (1868)	1912
Komei	1847	1866
Ninko	1817	1846
Kokaku	1780	1817
Homomozono	1771	1779
Gosakuramachi	1763	1770
Momozono	1747	1762
Sakuramachi	1735	1747
Nakamikado	1710	1735
Higashiyama	1687	1709
Reigen	1663	1687
Gosai	1656	1663
Gokomyo	1643	1654
Empress Meisho	1630	1643
Gomizuno-o	1611	1629
Goyozei	1586	1611
Ogimachi	1557 (1560)	1586
Gonara	1526 (1536)	1557
Gokashiwabara	1500 (1521)	1526
Gotsutimikado	1465? (1465)	1500
Gohanazono	1429? (1429)	1464
Shoko	1412 (1414)	1428
Gokomatsu	1392	1412
Gokameyama	1383	1392
Chokey	1368	1383
Gomurakami	1339	1368
Godaigo	1318	1339
Hanazono	1308	1318
Gonijou	1301	1308
Gofushimi	1298	1301
Fushimi	(1288)	1298
Gowda	1274	1287
Kameyama	1259	1274
Gofukakusa	1246	1259
Gosaga	1242	1246
Shijo	1232	1242
Gohorikawa	1221	1232
Tyuko	1221	1221
Juntoku	1210	1221
Tsuchimikado	1198	1210
Gotoba	1183 (1184)	1198
Antoku	1180	1183
Takakura	1168	1180
Rokujo	1165	1168
Nijo	1158	1165
Goshirakawa	1155	1158
Konoe	1141	1155
Sutoku	1123	1141
Toba	1107	1123
Horikawa	1086	1107
Shirakawa	1072	1086
Gasanjo	1068	1072
Goreiji	1045	1068
Gosuzaku	1036	1045
Goichijou	1016	1036
Sanjo	1011	1016
Ichijo	986	1011
Kazan	984	986
En-yu	969	984
Reiji	967	969
Murakami	946	967
Suzaku	930	946
Daigo	897	930
Uda	887	897
Coco	884	887
Yosei	876 (877)	884
Save	858	876
Montauk	850	858
Nimmyo	833	850
Dzyunna	823	833
Saga	809	823
Heizei	806	809
Kammu	781	806
Konin	770	781
Empress Shotoku	764	770
Junning	758	764
Empress Koken	749	758
Shomu	724	749
Empress Gensho	715	724
Empress Genmei	707	715
Mommu	697	707
Empress Jito	(690)	697
Tenmu	(673)	686
Kobun	671	672
Tenji	(662)	671
Empress Saimei	(655)	661
Kotoku	645	654
Empress Kogyoku	(642)	645
Jomei	(629)	641
Empress Suiko	592	628
Susyun	587	592
Yomei	585	587
Bidatsu	(572)	585
Kimmei	539	571
Senka	535	539
Ancan	531	535
Keitai	(507)	531
Buretsu	498	506
Ninken	(488)	498
Kenzo	(485)	487
Seinei	(480)	484
Yuryaku	456	479
Anko	453	456
Inge	(412)	453
Nandzei	(406)	410
Rityu	(400)	405
Nintoku	(313)	399
Odzin	(270)	310
Regent Jingu Kogo	201	269
Tuay	(192)	210
Seimas	(130)	190
Keiko	(71)	130
Suining	29 BC	70
Sujin	(97 BC)	30 BC
Kayka	158 BC	98 BC
Kogen	214 BC	158 BC
Korea	290 BC	215 BC
Koan	392 BC	291 BC
Kosho	475 BC	393 BC
Itoku	510 BC	477 BC
Annay	549 BC	511 BC
Suizei	581 BC	549 BC
Jimmu	(660) BC	585 BC

Emperor Hirohito (裕仁 Japanese; 1901-1989) - 124th Emperor of Japan, reigned from December 25, 1926 to January 7, 198

Emperor as priest

In terms of its political system, Japan occupies a completely special place. In other states in the region, monarchies ceased to exist at the beginning of the 20th century, and for many decades no one has seriously talked about their revival. In China, Korea, and Vietnam there are practically no monarchists - but in Japan there are almost no republicans.

This is due not only and not so much to differences in political history these countries, but with differences in the concept of monarchy adopted there. In all other countries of the Far East, the ideological basis of the monarchy was the theory of the “Mandate of Heaven” developed by Mencius, according to which the right to power was given to each successive dynasty temporarily and conditionally. Sooner or later, this right was taken away - as a punishment for the accumulated mistakes and immoral actions of the rulers.

Despite the fact that the Japanese monarchy, in its external and ritual design, had a lot in common with the Chinese one (in fact, it copied it), the doctrine of the “Heavenly Mandate” was not recognized in Japan. There was even a belief that Mencius’s books could not be imported into Japan, because such an attempt would cause the wrath of the gods protecting Japan and the ship carrying the ungodly works would sink. Apparently, sometimes the gods were still merciful, and some ships sailed to Japan - where else would Mencius’s texts have appeared there? However, the works of this philosopher and his followers, which were generally highly valued in Japan (in parts not related to the problems of the legitimacy of the monarchy) on the Japanese concept monarchical power didn't have any impact.

In the concept of Mencius, the monarch is nothing more than a manager chosen by Heaven to organize earthly affairs for the greater happiness of his subjects. The well-being of the people and the state is his highest goal, and he (and his descendants) remain on the throne insofar as they realize this goal. In due course, they will be removed and replaced by more worthy candidates at the moment. In fact, the Confucian monarch is only a kind of first official appointed to this position higher powers and having a limited right to transfer power by inheritance. In the Japanese concept, imperial power is unchangeable and established once and for all by the will of the gods. Ruling family was chosen by the gods time immemorial- Strictly speaking, the emperors themselves were the descendants of gods and gods.

The first and main feature of the Japanese monarchy is its immutability and fundamental irremovability. The official version of the history of the monarchy, which existed from time immemorial until 1945, stated that the dynasty was founded in 660 BC. the goddess Amaterasu, who personally gave the imperial regalia (mirror, sword, and jasper) to her grandson Jimmu. Those who do not really believe in the reality of the solar goddess Amaterasu have tried and are trying to find the more earthly roots of the Yamato dynasty. These searches are most likely hopeless - the history of the family really goes back to ancient times. When almost one and a half thousand years ago, in the 7th century. AD, the first Japanese chronicles were compiled, their authors had no memory of those times when the Yamato clan did not rule the Japanese tribes. Even then it seemed that this clan existed and always ruled. Its history probably began at the time when proto-Japanese tribes moved to Japan through Korea, that is, at the very beginning of our era. There are some vague hints that suggest that the Yamato clan is originally of Korean origin. However, all this remains the object of speculation rather than scientific research. One thing is certain: the Japanese ruling dynasty is indeed the oldest on the planet. According to tradition, the current Emperor Akihito is the 125th Emperor of the dynasty.

Of course, the position of the emperor as the heir of the gods in a direct line contributed to the stability of the dynasty. On the other hand, the status of the emperor as a kind of high priest of the traditional Japanese religion of Shinto (“the way of the gods”) did not at all mean that he must necessarily have real political power. Indeed, the current situation, when the Japanese emperor, surrounded by every honor, has absolutely no influence on political decision-making, is by no means an exception. Quite the contrary - most of his ancestors were in the same situation. Already the early emperors were actually puppets in the hands of their chancellors, and from the 12th century. A system of hereditary commanders-in-chief (shoguns) arose, to whom the supreme power in the country actually passed. It was the shogun dynasties - Minamoto (1192-1333), Ashikaga (1338-1573) and, finally, Tokugawa (1603-1868) that played the role of “ordinary” changing dynasties in Japan. The shogun could be overthrown, forced to abdicate, or defeated in battle. The Emperor was above this. The emperor lived in his luxurious palace, which many monarchs never left in their entire lives; he was surrounded maximum comfort, but usually had nothing to do with real politics.

In 1868, a group of radical reformers decided to remove from power the Tokugawa shogunal dynasty, which they considered corrupt, out of touch with reality and incapable of reform. These young samurai put forward a slogan, which by that time had already been tested by many opposition publicists: “Power to the emperor!” The reformers rebelled, their units occupied Kyoto, which then housed the imperial palace, and under their pressure, Emperor Mutsuhito, a 15-year-old teenager who had just ascended the throne, announced that he was taking full power in the country into his own hands. Thus began the “Meiji Restoration” (“Meiji”, that is, “enlightened governance” is the motto of the reign of Emperor Mutsuhito; Japanese emperors are usually called by the mottos of the reign or by their personal names).

The reforms turned out to be truly radical and surprisingly successful. In the shortest possible time, in just 15-20 years, Japan turned into a modern developed power. First-class industry, education, and financial structures were created, a constitution written on the Prussian model was introduced, and a powerful army and navy were founded. The success of the reforms largely meant the success of the monarchy, which for the Japanese was now associated with transformations and victories. The external forms of Japanese life were thoroughly Europeanized. This also applied to the external side of the monarchy.

After the Meiji restoration (or, as it is often called, the revolution), in its external, ritual-protocol-costume side, the monarchy abandoned the traditions that had once been borrowed from China during the Tang Dynasty (VII-X centuries AD), and in general switched to traditions borrowed from Europe in those years. Emperors began to dress in uniforms with sabers and epaulettes, appear in public, meet with foreign diplomats, give receptions, host parades and ride horseback. However, this new shell was just as external as the Chinese shell that preceded it. The essence of the concept of imperial power and the justification for its legitimacy remained unchanged. The Emperor was still the descendant of the solar goddess and the high priest of the national religion, as well as the irreplaceable symbol of Japan.

In the new conditions, another age-old tradition remained unchanged - the political passivity of the emperor. In most cases, he simply automatically approved decisions prepared by the real rulers of the country. Until the end of the 19th century, these were the organizers of the Meiji revolution, then they were replaced by the leaders of political parties, and from the late 1920s. The generals and ultranationalist officers began to play a decisive role. Declarations of devotion to the emperor were quite sincere, and even the most seemingly hardened and cynical politicians sometimes demonstrated their readiness to give their lives for the emperor. At the same time, the “emperor” to whom the Japanese swore allegiance was not so much a person as a living symbol of the Empire. The monarch, despite his theoretically enormous power, never became the real leader of the empire.

In 1945, Japan lost the war. By that time, Emperor Hirohito (1901-1989, reign motto “Showa”) was on the throne, whose reign began in 1926 and lasted 63 years. One of the most important (in fact, the only) conditions for the surrender of Japan was the inviolability of the emperor, whom the Americans were then going to try as a “war criminal,” and the preservation of the imperial dynasty in Japan. In the end, the Americans were forced to hint that the dynasty would be preserved. In his letter, transmitted through neutral embassies, Secretary of State Byrnes stated that "the form of government in Japan will be chosen in accordance with the freely expressed will of the Japanese people." After receiving this half-promise, Japan capitulated, as the Emperor announced in his famous radio speech on August 15, 1945.

Since 1945, a new history of the Japanese monarchy began. The Americans, who formally ruled Japan until 1952, tried, on the one hand, to relieve Hirohito of responsibility for war crimes (we will not talk about some of the relativity of the term “war crimes” here), and on the other, to demystify the monarchy and democratize it. In exchange for a promise not to put Hirohito on trial, he agreed to issue a statement publicly renouncing his divine origins. This statement did much to weaken the special relationship that had existed since time immemorial between the imperial dynasty and the Shinto religion. Compiled at the headquarters of the occupation forces and translated into Japanese, the 1947 Constitution in Article 1 proclaimed the emperor “a symbol of the state and the unity of the people,” but did not provide for any duties for him - except for purely ritual ones, such as the opening of the next session of parliament. For the next half century, Hirohito, who remained a “symbol of the state,” led a rather secluded life, focusing mainly on marine biology, in which he eventually gained worldwide recognition. In general, interest in biology is characteristic of the imperial family, many of whose members “in the world” are biologists (the current Emperor Akihito is an ichthyologist, the author of 25 scientific articles).

The second half of the 1940s was perhaps the only period in Japanese history when the republican movement could be taken seriously. It not only existed, but also enjoyed a certain popularity among the left - mainly communists and socialists. However, even then, according to the American military administration, about 90% of all Japanese were in favor of preserving the monarchy. In subsequent times, among the influential political forces, only the communists advocated the elimination of the monarchy, but even they did not attach much importance to their republican slogans.

In 1989, Hirohito died, and his son Akihito ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne. The current Japanese emperor was born in 1933 and studied at the Faculty of Economics of Gakushuin University, where Japanese aristocrats traditionally received their education. In 1959, the heir to the throne married Shoda Michiko. This marriage caused a lot of noise, since Akihito’s chosen one was not an aristocrat. The daughter of a wealthy multimillionaire entrepreneur, from the point of view of traditionalists, she was just a commoner. Her family did not belong either to the old, thousand-year-old families, the women of which, by tradition, became the wives of emperors, or even to the “new” aristocracy, which received European-style titles in the second half XIX century. In addition, Akihito, who often met Michiko while playing tennis, himself chose her as a candidate - and became the first emperor in many centuries to choose his own wife (the choice, of course, was approved by a special commission).

However, Akihito’s son, the current Crown Prince Aruhito, born in 1960, went even further. He himself long and persistently courted his chosen one, Masako, the daughter of a career diplomat, former counselor at the Japanese Embassy in Moscow and Japanese representative to the UN. Masako herself was one of the few women working in personnel positions in the Japanese Foreign Ministry, and initially rejected her prince. The energetic Harvard graduate did not want to sit in the golden cage of the Japanese Imperial House and subject his entire life to the demands of etiquette and the control of the omnipresent Office of Court Affairs.

Akihito's reign, which began in 1989 (the motto of the reign is "Heisei"), differs in many ways from that of his father. The new emperor is clearly seeking to make the Japanese monarchy more "open", more like the surviving European monarchies. It is significant that in 1989, upon ascending the throne, Akihito paid a tax on his father's inheritance. The imperial couple now frequently attend sporting and cultural events, hospitals, charities - in short, the emperor behaves not like a Shinto high priest, but like a "modern" European monarch. Is this policy justified? The question is complex. Such behavior of European monarchs largely reflects the attitude of their subjects, who have long lost the respectful attitude towards social hierarchy that was characteristic of Europeans centuries ago. Modern European monarchy cannot rely either on mysticism (most European societies are secularized to the extreme) or on the habit of hierarchy, hence the desire for a “rational”, “cheap” and “open” monarchy. Japanese society is also gradually changing - and, most likely, in the same direction. However, these changes remain slow, and there is no particular pressure on the monarchy yet. So, perhaps the decision to make the monarchy more accessible and down-to-earth in strategic terms is wrong, although in tactical terms it clearly added to the popularity of the monarchy.

In any case, the position of the monarchy in Japan appears to be very strong. There is no republican movement in the country and, it seems, is not expected. The Japanese imperial family avoided the fate of its East Asian neighbors - also due to the fact that the distant ancestors of modern Japanese were very selective about the works of the great Chinese sage Mencius.

It should be Crown Prince Naruhito

The Japanese government plans to hold the ceremony of accession to the throne of the Land of the Rising Sun of the new emperor on January 1, 2019, media reports. Sources say that a bill providing for such a possibility is planned to be introduced in May 2017. The problem is that the Japanese constitution does not provide for the possibility of the monarch abdicating the throne. Japanese Emperor Akihito made it clear about his intention to abdicate in August last year (and rumors about this appeared even earlier). It is expected that the eldest son of the current 83-year-old emperor, 56-year-old Crown Prince Naruhito, will become the new Japanese monarch.

Talk that Emperor Akihito might leave the Chrysanthemum Throne appeared in the media back in mid-July last year. Some time later, in August, His Imperial Majesty addressed the nation with a video message in which he hinted that he would like to abdicate the throne. The fact is that the laws do not allow the monarch to make political statements - and that is why Akihito could not bluntly voice his intention to leave the throne.

The last time in Japan a monarch abdicated the throne two centuries ago, when in 1817 Emperor Kokaku (Tomohito) transferred his position and royal regalia to his son, Emperor Ninko, and himself, having accepted the title of “Daijo tenno” (who ceded the throne to the emperor), withdrew from government duties. affairs and began researching the palace ceremony.

According to legend, the emperors of Japan are direct descendants of the sun goddess Amaterasu. But according to the 1947 constitution, the emperor is a symbol of the state and the unity of the Japanese nation, but at the same time he is practically deprived of the right to interfere in public administration. However, the monarch is highly respected in Japanese society.

Also, current laws do not regulate the departure of the monarch from the throne. Prime Minister Abe said the government was discussing what could be done under the current circumstances, given the emperor's age (he turned 83 on December 23) and the heavy burden of his responsibilities. It should be noted that the emperor has health problems (it is known that he underwent coronary bypass surgery and was also treated for prostate cancer). The monarch himself announced that his health was failing in his August address to the Japanese: “I am worried that it may become difficult for me to fulfill my duties as a symbol of the nation.”

A Jiji Press poll conducted in December 2016 found that 61 percent of respondents supported a permanent law that would allow both Emperor Akihito and other future emperors to abdicate the throne, with 21.6 percent of respondents in favor of , so that a special law is passed that concerns only the current monarch.

Emperor Akihito inherited the throne after the death of his father Hirohito in 1989.

It is known that Emperor Akihito will be succeeded by his son, 56-year-old Crown Prince Naruhito. But Naruhito only has a daughter, and only men can inherit the Chrysanthemum Throne. So next in line to the throne is his younger brother Prince Akishino.

Naruhito studied at Oxford and has a Master's degree in history. The Crown Prince plays the viola, enjoys jogging, enjoys hiking, and also enjoys mountain climbing. Naruhito is also interested in the problems of the Earth's water reserves and their conservation.

In 1993, the engagement of the Crown Prince and Masako Owada, who worked as a diplomat in the Japanese Foreign Ministry, was announced. Their wedding took place in June of the same year. In 2001, the couple had a daughter, Aiko, Princess Toshi.