This November 26, 2024, the imperial family gathered at the Toshimagaoka cemetery in Tokyo to say their last goodbye to Princess Yuriko. The main funeral ceremony, in the presence of half a thousand people including members of the government, concludes several days of tributes paid to Emperor Naruhito’s great-aunt, who died at 101 years old.
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About 500 people attend the main ceremony of Princess Yuriko’s funeral
On November 15, Princess Yuriko of Mikasa died at age 101 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Tokyo. Two weeks before his disappearance, his loved ones, including his daughters and grandchildren, took turns at his bedside in the hospital. Princess Yuriko, great-aunt of Emperor Naruhito, had been hospitalized several times in her last years. In March 2024, she was hospitalized following a mild stroke and aspiration pneumonia. She had not left the hospital since then.
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Since his death, several Shinto and imperial ceremonies have been organized, thus respecting the traditions and rituals that are both religious and specific to the imperial family. Widowed since 2016 by her husband, who was the uncle of Emperor Emeritus Akihito, it was one of her granddaughters, Princess Akiko who was appointed to lead the mourning. According to the Japanese press, the State is financing these funerals and has planned a budget of 325 million yen, or around 2 million euros, to organize all the ceremonies.
The main funeral ceremony took place on November 26. The hearse carrying the coffin left Akasaka Palace, the deceased’s residence, at 9 a.m. A funeral procession passed through Tokyo, passing the imperial palace to reach the Toshimagaoka cemetery, located in the Bunkyo district of the capital. Advancing at a walking pace to allow the population to see the coffin pass, the hearse took approximately 30 minutes to complete the 11 kilometer journey.
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The heir couple in the front row next to Princess Akiko who leads the mourning
The “Renso no Gi” ceremony brought together nearly 500 people. During the “Sojo no Gi” farewell ceremony, Toshiari Bojo, the head priest in charge of the ceremony, read the ritual words aloud. Several people paid tribute to the deceased, recalling her commitment to well-being. As is imperial tradition, the emperor and empress never attend funerals. Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were therefore represented on site by a senior official of the Imperial Household. The same goes for the retired former imperial couple. Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emeritus Michiko were represented at the ceremony.
Princess Aiko, the only daughter of the sovereigns, attended the funeral of a member of her family for the first time as an adult. In attendance were Crown Prince Fumihito of Akishino and his wife, Crown Princess Kiko. The heir couple was surrounded by their children, Princess Kako and Prince Hisahito. Prince Hisahito, who had just reached the age of majority for a few weeks, was also attending a funeral for the first time.
In the afternoon, the body will be cremated at the Ochiai Funeral Hall and returned to the cemetery. Princess Yuriko will rest in Mikasa’s family tomb. Princess Yuriko had five children, two daughters and three sons. The three sons have already died. She also had 9 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
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