The Japanese imperial family always makes two public appearances at the start of the new year: a glittering evening reception where the ladies wear tiaras and jewels, and a balcony appearance where they don daytime jewelry. Here’s a look at the pieces we saw this year as the emperor greeted the people.

Empress Michiko wore a pearl necklace, pearl earrings, and a bracelet. (You’ll start to notice that the pearls are something of a theme; the imperial ladies wear jewelry “uniforms” in the daytime as well as in the evening.)

Although she doesn’t appear with the rest of the imperial ladies at the evening reception, Crown Princess Masako does generally take part in the balcony appearance. This year she wore a pearl necklace, pearl earrings, and a really interesting brooch that looks to be set with diamonds and pearls.

Photographers didn’t provide close-up photographs of the Princess Akishino’s jewels, but as you can probably guess, Kiko’s wearing a pearl necklace, pearl earrings, and a brooch.

Princess Mako of Akishino, Kiko’s elder daughter, is on the left; she wore — yep — a pearl necklace, pearl earrings, and a brooch.

The younger Akishino princess, Kako, wore the same jewelry uniform. On closer perusal of her brooch, I can’t tell whether it is supposed to be floral (with stems) or an insect (with antenna).

The emperor’s uncle and aunt, the Prince and Princess Mikasa, were on the balcony. Takahito is one of the oldest royals in the world; he celebrated his 100th birthday in 2015. His wife, Yuriko, wore a pearl necklace. She paired it with earrings and a brooch that appear to have some sort of diamond floral motif.

We also got very far-away glimpses of a few more imperial ladies. Above, you can see (from left) Princess Ayako of Takamado and Princess Tsuguko of Takamado, then their mother, the Princess Takamado (who looks to be wearing an interesting brooch). They’re the daughter-in-law and granddaughters of the Prince and Princess Mikasa. Beside them, in the dark red dress, is the Princess Hitachi, sister-in-law of the emperor. Her husband, the emperor’s brother, is seated beside her.

On the other side of the balcony is the rest of the Mikasa family. Princess Tomohito of Mikasa, another daughter-in-law of the Prince and Princess Mikasa, is standing beside Princess Kako. One of her daughters is standing beside her; based on her height, I think it’s Princess Akiko. (Fun fact: Akiko has a doctorate from Oxford. In fact, no fewer than four of the people on the balcony — Fumihito, Prince Akishino; Kiko, Princess Akishino; Hisako, Princess Takamado; and Princess Akiko of Mikasa — have earned doctoral degrees. Akiko’s specialty is art, while Fumihito is an expert in ornithology, Kiko has a doctorate in psychology, and Hisako’s PhD is in the arts. The Prince Hitachi has done important cancer research, and he also has two honorary doctorates; the Prince Mikasa has lectured on Middle Eastern Studies at universities in Japan and abroad. Impressive!)

…and here’s another view of Masako’s jewels, just for kicks. Isn’t it great to see her?

[source]

One of the most glittering days on the Japanese imperial calendar is New Year’s Day, when the family gathers for the annual New Year’s reception at the palace. The family’s traditional diamond and pearl jewels were out in force.

[source]

Empress Michiko doesn’t wear tiaras anymore, because of medical issues with her head/neck/back, but she added a surprising bit of extra glitter this year in the form of an absolutely enormous brooch. Really, it’s probably more accurate to call this a devant de corsage, perhaps a remnant of a nineteenth-century stomacher ornament.

[source]

She also wore a diamond riviere and diamond earrings.

As per usual, Crown Princess Masako attended the event privately, but didn’t take part in the public portion of the ceremony. A photograph was taken of her as the crown princely family arrived; she wore the Pearl Sunburst Tiara with its mirrored necklace.

[source]

The rest of the imperial ladies were there, assembled in their usual glittering line. Next after the empress were the Akishinos, the wife and children of the emperor’s younger son. Princess Kiko wore her wedding tiara with its mirrored necklace and a coordinating brooch. Her elder daughter, Princess Mako, wore the parure she received for her 20th birthday. Princess Kako also wore her 20th birthday parure, which was made by Mikimoto.

[source]

Next in line was the representative of the Hitachi family: Princess Hanako, wife of the emperor’s brother, Prince Masahito. She wore the diamond and pearl tiara and necklace that she’s worn on previous white-tie occasions, plus pearl earrings and a brooch set with pearls.

[source]

After the Hitachis come the Mikasas. The emperor has one living uncle — Takahito, Prince Misaka — who turned 100 years old this year. The woman in white above is one of his daughters-in-law, Princess Nobuko (formally known as Princess Tomohito of Mikasa), and her two daughters, Princess Akiko and Princess Yoko. All three are wearing the diamond and pearl parures that they wear each year at this reception.

[source]

The emperor’s uncle has another daughter-in-law: Princess Hisako, the widow of Norihito, Prince Takamado. She may look particularly familiar, because she has represented the family abroad at a number of royal events, including the weddings of Princess Madeleine and Prince Carl Philip of Sweden. I’m really intrigued by Hisako’s tiara — it’s one of three that we’ve seen her wear, and it has a decidedly early nineteenth-century vibe. Her lovely diamond bird brooch was worn at Carl Philip’s wedding.

Both of Hisako’s unmarried daughters — Princess Tsuguko and Princess Ayako — are wearing their usual parures, made of tiaras, earrings, and necklaces with wreath designs. They’re some of my favorite sets from the imperial collection.