Akihito, then-Crown Prince, and his fiancée Michiko Shoda photographed at the Tokyo Lawn Tennis Club on December 6, 1958. The couple had met the previous year while playing a doubles match on a tennis court in Karuizawa, Nagano prefecture, an event that became known as "love match."
Akihito, then-Crown Prince, and his fiancée Michiko Shoda photographed at the Tokyo Lawn Tennis Club on December 6, 1958. The couple had met the previous year while playing a doubles match on a tennis court in Karuizawa, Nagano prefecture, an event that became known as "love match."
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Akihito watches his then-fiancée, Michiko Shoda, flip through a photo album at his Tokyo mansion on December 26, 1958. Shoda was nicknamed "Mitchi" and her hairstyles and fashion were closely watched. "Japanese women adored her," said Yukiya Chikashige, a journalist who has covered the Japanese royal family for over three decades. "Her image was similar to Princess Ann (Audrey Hepburn's character) in 'Roman Holiday.'''
Akihito watches his then-fiancée, Michiko Shoda, flip through a photo album at his Tokyo mansion on December 26, 1958. Shoda was nicknamed "Mitchi" and her hairstyles and fashion were closely watched. "Japanese women adored her," said Yukiya Chikashige, a journalist who has covered the Japanese royal family for over three decades. "Her image was similar to Princess Ann (Audrey Hepburn's character) in 'Roman Holiday.'''
Associated Press
Michiko Shoda, now known as Empress Michiko, departs her home for the Imperial Palace in the early hours of April 10, 1959, the day of her marriage to Crown Prince Akihito. "This was a marriage for love, and between a royal and a commoner," said Chikashige. "It was new to the public."
Michiko Shoda, now known as Empress Michiko, departs her home for the Imperial Palace in the early hours of April 10, 1959, the day of her marriage to Crown Prince Akihito. "This was a marriage for love, and between a royal and a commoner," said Chikashige. "It was new to the public."
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Akihito photographed wearing a top hat and a suit on his wedding day at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, on April 10, 1959. The ceremony made Michiko Shoda, a commoner, the future empress of Japan, breaking with over 2,000 years of tradition.
Akihito photographed wearing a top hat and a suit on his wedding day at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, on April 10, 1959. The ceremony made Michiko Shoda, a commoner, the future empress of Japan, breaking with over 2,000 years of tradition.
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The future empress, seen in traditional ceremonial robes, is photographed on her way to the Kashiko-dokoro, or the Imperial Palace sanctuary, on her wedding day in 1959.
The future empress, seen in traditional ceremonial robes, is photographed on her way to the Kashiko-dokoro, or the Imperial Palace sanctuary, on her wedding day in 1959.
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Akihito, second from the right, is assisted by an official as he enters a Shinto sanctuary inside the Imperial Palace on his wedding day in 1959.
Akihito, second from the right, is assisted by an official as he enters a Shinto sanctuary inside the Imperial Palace on his wedding day in 1959.
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The couple pose during their wedding at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Michiko wore an elaborate "junihitoe," a 12-layered kimono with symbolic patterns.
The couple pose during their wedding at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Michiko wore an elaborate "junihitoe," a 12-layered kimono with symbolic patterns.
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The newly-wed Akihito and Michiko ride in a royal carriage through the streets of Tokyo on their wedding day. Shigeo Suzuki, a former TV producer who oversaw coverage of the 1959 ceremony, recalls filming the couple waving happily to the crowds. "Their smiles," he recalled, "seemed as if they too were feeling the beginning of a new era."
The newly-wed Akihito and Michiko ride in a royal carriage through the streets of Tokyo on their wedding day. Shigeo Suzuki, a former TV producer who oversaw coverage of the 1959 ceremony, recalls filming the couple waving happily to the crowds. "Their smiles," he recalled, "seemed as if they too were feeling the beginning of a new era."
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Akihito and Michiko pose for photographs at the Imperial Palace the day after the royal wedding. "The distance between the imperial family and ordinary people shortened dramatically with the marriage," said Suzuki.
Akihito and Michiko pose for photographs at the Imperial Palace the day after the royal wedding. "The distance between the imperial family and ordinary people shortened dramatically with the marriage," said Suzuki.
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The growth of mass media and the emergence of live television, helped to cement the pair's enormous popularity.
The growth of mass media and the emergence of live television, helped to cement the pair's enormous popularity.
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A tram decorated with lights to celebrate the royal wedding.
A tram decorated with lights to celebrate the royal wedding.
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Prior to the royal wedding, live TV footage was usually delivered from fixed cameras. But the event marked one of the first instances when moving cameras, mounted on dollies, were used in the country.
Prior to the royal wedding, live TV footage was usually delivered from fixed cameras. But the event marked one of the first instances when moving cameras, mounted on dollies, were used in the country.
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More than half a million people lined the parade route, while millions more tuned in to watch the wedding live.
More than half a million people lined the parade route, while millions more tuned in to watch the wedding live.
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"There weren't many TV sets yet, so television came behind newspapers, radio and magazines," said Suzuki. "But the wedding changed that."
"There weren't many TV sets yet, so television came behind newspapers, radio and magazines," said Suzuki. "But the wedding changed that."
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Tokyo residents pictured in front of Michiko Shoda house before her wedding to Akihito in 1959. The public was fascinated with the soon-to-be princess.
Tokyo residents pictured in front of Michiko Shoda house before her wedding to Akihito in 1959. The public was fascinated with the soon-to-be princess.
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A first aid bus decorated with photos of the royal couple.
A first aid bus decorated with photos of the royal couple.
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Akihito and Michiko with their son Naruhito in 1964. The couple often broke with tradition, opting to raise their own children. "They (the couple) wanted to show they were not reigning, but rather, they were just like us."
Akihito and Michiko with their son Naruhito in 1964. The couple often broke with tradition, opting to raise their own children. "They (the couple) wanted to show they were not reigning, but rather, they were just like us."
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