Happy 65th Anniversary to Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan, who got married on this day in 1959! When Michiko Shōda became the first commoner to marry the Heir to the Chrysanthemum Throne, she received this spectacular Diamond Scroll Tiara!
Meiji Scroll Tiara | Diamond Scroll Tiara | Japanese Pearl Sunburst Tiara | Japanese Imperial Tiaras
When Crown Prince Akihito of Japan married Michiko Shōda in 1959, she received this spectacular Diamond Scroll Tiara with a mirrored Diamond Necklace alongside the Japanese Pearl Sunburst Tiara. It is not known if the Parure was created by Mikimoto from older heirlooms or newly commissioned by Mikimoto.
Crown Princess Michiko first wore the Diamond Scroll Tiara and Diamond Necklace on her Wedding Day, for an Audience with the Emperor and Empress and a procession through the streets of Tokyo following a traditional Shinto ceremony.
Following the Wedding, Crown Princess Michiko alternated the Diamond Scroll Tiara and Pearl Sunburst Tiara, notably wearing it for the Thai State Visit to Japan in 1963, the Belgian State Visit to Japan in 1964, a Visit to Thailand in 1964, and a visit to Malaysia in 1970.
From the early 1970s, Crown Princess Michiko began wearing the Diamond Scroll Tiara with a smaller Diamond Necklace, from which a Diamond Pendant was suspended, most notably for the Jordanian State Visit to Japan in 1976, the British State Visit to Japan in 1975, the Spanish State Visit to Japan in 1980, the Danish State Visit to Japan in 1981, and the Norwegian State Visit to Japan in 1983.
After Emperor Akihito’s accession in 1989, Empress Michiko only wore the Tiaras reserved for Japanese Empresses, with the Diamond Scroll Tiara remaining unworn until the Wedding of Crown Prince Naruhito and Masko Owada in 1993, who also wore the Tiara on her Wedding Day.
In the first few years of her marriage, Crown Princess Masako primarily wore the Diamond Scroll Tiara for numerous New Year’s Receptions, and State Banquets, including the Luxembourg State Visit to Japan in 1999, the Norwegian State Visit to Japan in 2001, before she received the Pearl Sunburst Tiara which she primarily wore for the next few decades.
After several decades, the Diamond Scroll Tiara and Necklace appeared on Crown Princess Kiko 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, Crown Princess Kiko wore the Diamond Scroll Tiara for the spectacular Enthronement Banquet held at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, following the Enthronement Ceremony at the Imperial Palace, as well as for the Enthronement Parade through Tokyo.
Crown Princess Kiko wore the Diamond 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.
Most recently, after a gap of several years due to the pandemic, Crown Princess Kiko wore the Diamond Scroll Tiara for the Japanese New Year’s Reception earlier this year. There is no doubt we will see this spectacular Heirloom worn again soon!
Meiji Scroll Tiara | Diamond Scroll Tiara | Japanese Pearl Sunburst Tiara | Japanese Imperial Tiaras
Meiji Scroll Tiara
Diamond Scroll Tiara
Japanese Pearl Sunburst Tiara
Japanese Imperial Tiaras
Chrysanthemum Earrings
Pearl Necklace
Meiji Scroll Tiara
Imperial Chrysanthemum Tiara
Honeysuckle Tiara
Diamond Scroll Tiara
Pearl Sunburst Tiara
Empress Michiko’s Diamond Necklace
Diamond Pendant
Chrysanthemum Earrings
Pearl Sautoir
Japanese Imperial Tiaras