Empress Masako’s Sparkling Enthronement Banquet Jewels

This afternoon, our Sparkling Spotlight shines on a particularly important moment for Empress Masako of Japan: the day of the imperial enthronement in October 2019. Let’s have a closer look at the jewels she wore for the glittering banquet held after the enthronement ceremonies.

Royal guests from around the world attended the grand banquet in Tokyo, which followed the imperial enthronement of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako on October 22, 2019. Tiaras and gala jewels sparkled on all of the royal guests, including the Japanese imperial ladies.

Empress Masako wore the most important Western-style jewel in the family’s collection: the Meiji Tiara, which was made in the late nineteenth century and which is reserved for the use of the country’s empresses. Western-style dress was introduced at the imperial court in 1887, and the tiara has been used by all empresses when wearing Western gala dress since then. The tiara can be worn with (or without) two sets of toppers: large round diamonds (worn here by Masako) or diamond stars.

Empress Masako added even more diamonds to her ensemble from the banquet. She wore a pair of large diamond floral earrings. The flowers represented are chrysanthemums, which have important symbolic resonance for the imperial family. They’re also incorporated into other pieces of imperial jewelry, including brooches and a diamond tiara.

The empress completed her look with a pair of impressive diamond riviere necklaces, so named because the diamonds flow and meander like rivers, and a gorgeous diamond bracelet. Her gown for the evening had ruffle and rose details at the neck. The design of the dress echoed the style of the gown worn by Masako during her wedding celebrations in 1993.