Happy Birthday to Empress Masako of Japan, who turns 60 today! The bright diplomat who suffered from an adjustment disorder for decades as Crown Princess before becoming the Japanese Empress in 2019, the Empress now has possession to the spectacular Heirlooms of the Japanese Imperial Family, the highlight of which is the Meiji Scroll Tiara!
Meiji Scroll Tiara | Japanese Pearl Sunburst Tiara | Japanese Imperial Tiaras | Chrysanthemum Earrings | Pearl Necklace
Made by Chaumet and created by Leonhard and Figel around 1885, the Meiji Scroll Tiara was commissioned by the Meiji Emperor, who was adopting western Court Dress. The Tiara is quite versatile, and can be worn topped with Diamond Stars, while the large diamonds can also be detached, allowing for a smaller version.
The Meiji Scroll Tiara first appeared on Empress Shōken for a series of Official Portraits taken as Japan adopted court dress, being worn with the Diamond Stars and three Diamond Rivières, while also wearing the Diamond Stars on her gown.
The Meiji Scroll Tiara belonged to Empress Teimei between 1912 and 1926, being notably worn without the Diamond Stars for an Official Portrait along with the three Diamond Rivières, and the Chrysanthemum Tiara worn as a Corsage.
Following the Accession of Emperor Hirohito in 1926, the Meiji Scroll Tiara passed into the possession of Empress Nagako, posthumously known as Empress Kōjun, who wore the Tiara with the Diamond Stars for official portraits during the 1930s and the 1930s.
After the Second World War, Empress Kōjun wore the Meiji Scroll Tiara for several gala occasions, including Princess Alexandra’s visit to Japan in 1961, a German State Visit, and the Thai State Visit to Japan in 1963.
The Japanese Imperial Couple made their first post-war visits to Europe in the 1970s, with the Meiji Scroll Tiara without the Stars being worn by Empress Kōjun for the Japanese State Visit to Belgium, the State Visit to Germany and the State Visit to Britain in 1971.
A few years later, Empress Kōjun wore the Meiji Scroll Tiara without the large diamonds for the Japanese State Dinner at the White House in 1975, and the Tiara was also worn for the British State Visit to Japan in 1975.
Following the Accession of Emperor Akihito in 1989, the Meiji Scroll Tiara came into the possession of Empress Michiko, and was first worn for the Enthronement of Emperor Akihito in 1990, as well as for a series of Official Portraits.
The Meiji Scroll Tiara was Empress Michiko’s primary diadem in the first years of the Emperor’s Reign, paired with a single Diamond Rivière and her Diamond Pendant, being worn for numerous New Year’s Courts, the Wedding of Crown Prince Naruhito in 1993, the Japanese State Banquet at the Royal Palace of Madrid in 1994, and the Belgian State Visit to Japan in 1996, before she began wearing the Chrysanthemum Tiara by the late 1990s.
After several decades, the Meiji Scroll Tiara appeared on Empress Masako, paired with two Diamond Rivières, on the day of the Accession of Emperor Naruhito of Japan, for the Sokuigo Choken no Gi Ceremony in the Matsu no Ma State Room in the Imperial Palace.
Later that year, Empress Masako wore the Meiji Scroll Tiara for the spectacular Enthronement Banquet held at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, following the Enthronement Ceremony at the Imperial Palace.
The following month, Empress Masako wore the Meiji Scroll Tiara for the Enthronement Parade through Tokyo, from the Imperial Palace to their residence on the Akasaka Estate.
Empress Masako wore the Meiji Scroll Tiara for the Japanese New Year’s Reception in 2020, as well as for the Rikkoshi no Reimei Ceremony at the Imperial Palace of Tokyo later that year, but has not been seen in recent years due to the pandemic. Lets hope we see this spectacular Heirloom worn again soon!
Meiji Scroll Tiara | Japanese Pearl Sunburst Tiara | Japanese Imperial Tiaras | Chrysanthemum Earrings | Pearl Necklace
Modan 225 | Tiara Mania
