Elaborate throne for next emperor arrives in Tokyo

Why is a new throne necessary? Can't the Imperial Household just reuse Emperor Akihito's existing throne?

Thrones dating back hundreds of years would carry more weight and prestige than something that was made last year, I would presume.

Wow! Looks gorgeous. How much gold is in there.

@Samit Basu: Read the article properly.

I would hardly call something that has been used since the eighth century new!

Yes, I agree its stunning and will be even more so once its been spruced up.

Very glam. An image of Elton John popped in my head when I saw this picture.

I could swear those are chickens but I know they're supposed to be phoenixes.

I think I saw something like this in a Korean drama.

Are they joking....that's it?

With only a few flicks of a spanner, they could have the world's first Throne Drone for passengers.

Did the 1% mega rich pay for this I doubt it, it was bought and paid for by the blood, sweat and tears of us peasants.

Bjohnson23 - probably from our taxes.

Why store in Kyoto? Someone didn't get the memo about the capital changing...

Very, very interesting. One of the things I like about Japan is that the country is full of cultural rituals. For some people, they are useless, but I think they are essential parts of Japanese spirituality, which often does not manifest itself in words. Participation in rituals make the people Japanese. The last abdication occurred more than 200 years ago. This is a rare occasion of special rituals.

Won't see this on Ebay anytime soon. Looks like two elaborate Kazeebo's on a stage.

the country is full of cultural rituals. For some people, they are useless, but I think they are essential parts of Japanese spirituality

On a societal level, rituals like this, particularly with physical objects like the thrown allow us to maintain continuity of values, even though as a species we essentially entirely replenish every 100 years.

I’m sorry, but it looks more like an alter than a throne in that photo.

Can't IKEA help you out?

It kind of reminds me of Santa's Village in a mall, just more ornate

They spend money storing this? Surely after an apparent thousands of years of continuous family blood line, this is the best they have? Might want to revisit what's been thrown out.

Is there a photo of the mirror and sword that the gods gifted to the deemed Royal family? That must be part of the requirements for Emperors to receive? I for one would like to see them.

I think tradition is great, it makes us remember the good and the bad.

It's probably just sloppily written, but...

The 6.5-meter-high canopied structure, decorated with lacquerware, gold and other ornaments, has been used for coronations and other key imperial rituals since around the eighth century

however

The current structure was built for his great-grandfather Taisho's coronation in 1915

Ceremonious , formal, ritualistic, for many a once in a lifetime event..............If there is a way to attend I would spare no expense.....

Huge throne to be moved to Tokyo from Kyoto for repairs in August ahead of 2019 accession

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/04/13/national/huge-throne-moved-tokyo-kyoto-repairs-august-ahead-2019-accession/

The 6.5-meter-high canopied structure, decorated with lacquerware, gold and other ornaments, has been used for coronations and other key imperial rituals since around the eighth century, according to the Imperial Household Agency. It was last used by Akihito in 1990 and has since been stashed away at the Kyoto palace.

This passage seems to be having people up in arms for some reason, and yes, at first glance it does seem contradictory, however it more bad grammar than bad history.

What it is saying is that, the symbol of the throne and the metaphor is represents have been around since the end of the 8th century, however, this is its current incarnation. This is not the original, its the latest incumbent that was constructed in the early 20th Century.

Hope that clears it up!

Is there a photo of the mirror and sword that the gods gifted to the deemed Royal family? That must be part of the requirements for Emperors to receive? I for one would like to see them.

Good luck! Only the high priest and the Emperor Himself get to see those!

Well, no one will wish to steal that throne - it looks so ugly.

I guess it may have been more impressive if it had undergone more of a modern day tech upgrade - which would probably have also served as a sales point for Japan - but this one, sadly lacks charisma there.

So, just another relic of another antiquated establishment with limited appeal, in my view.

Mmwkdw:

Modern day? Did you want an anime mascot like Miku painted on it with blinking lights and corporate logos? That'd be cool, but probably not appropriate for the tradition of the imperial throne. ;)

Gee, honestly, I can't believe all the mocking and derision... this is part of Japan's cultural heritage, whether it suits your personal stylistic taste is hardly relevant. Thank you to Japan Today for covering an interesting insight into a detail of imperial ritual, and I think the mockers only devalue themselves as being unable to appreciate long standing cultural phenomena.