First Coming-of-Age Ceremony for Japanese Imperial Family in 40 Years

Japan’s second-in-line to the throne, Prince Hisahito, celebrated his 19th birthday on the 6th, marking the imperial family’s first male coming-of-age ceremony in 40 years.

The Imperial Household Agency, which oversees royal affairs, stated that the coming-of-age ceremony is a significant ritual of the imperial family, with about 1,300 years of history dating back to the Nara era. The last time the Japanese imperial family held an adult ceremony (Kanrei) was in November 1985, on Prince Akishino’s birthday.

In the morning, Hisahito took part in the first ritual of the adult ceremony, the “Receiving the Crown Ceremony,” at Akishino Residence, receiving the adult crown hat with “swallowtail tassels” from an emissary sent by Emperor Naruhito. Afterwards, the main event of the ceremony, the “Kanrei” (crown ceremony), was held in the “Spring and Autumn Hall” of the imperial palace.

Hisahito stated: “As an adult member of the imperial family, I will do my best to fulfill my duties.”

The coming-of-age ceremony not only marks a male royal coming of age but also serves as an important ritual for instilling a sense of responsibility in adult royals. Female royals do not hold a coming-of-age ceremony; instead, their adulthood is celebrated through a medal conferment ceremony.

Hisahito is currently a first-year student at the University of Tsukuba and is Emperor Naruhito’s nephew. After Japan’s Civil Code was revised in 2022, the age of adulthood was lowered from 20 to 18. Hisahito technically came of age in September last year, but due to university preparation, the ceremony was held a year later.