This is an official, non-public photo album published in 1929 (Showa 4) to commemorate the Enthronement Ceremony of Emperor Showa. In pre-war Imperial Japan. Was not only the head of state but the Supreme Commander of the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy. The enthronement ceremony therefore marked the formal transfer of supreme military command, making this event a crucial moment in Japan’s military and political history. Nature of the Album. Its purpose was not decorative, but documentary and institutional-to preserve the official record of a national and military ceremony tied directly to imperial authority and command structure. Cover Inscription (Original Text). The gold-stamped cover reads. (Imperial Enthronement Commemorative Photo Album). The album features a cloth-bound cover with gold lettering, typical of formal military and imperial publications of the era. Contents (Military & Historical Value). The album contains a wide range of official photographs and documents, including. Formal portraits of Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun. Enthronement ceremony processions and rituals. Military formations, guards, and ceremonial troops. Security arrangements and controlled urban spaces. Crowds under strict supervision. Detailed map of the Kyoto Imperial Palace complex. Official explanatory texts and event records. The presence of military uniforms, formations, command hierarchy, and ceremonial discipline clearly reflects the emperor’s role as supreme military authority. This is not a simple commemorative book-it is a visual record of state power and military legitimacy in early Showa Japan. The colophon clearly states. Printed: April 15, 1929. Issued: April 17, 1929. Marked: Non-Public / Not for Sale. These details confirm the album as a primary historical source, not a later reproduction. Expected age-related wear is present, including light toning and minor paper waviness. There are no major tears or missing pages, and the album remains fully usable for study and display. For a pre-war military and imperial document, the condition is comparatively well preserved. Summary (For Collectors & Researchers). Emperor Showa as Supreme Commander of Japan’s armed forces. The enthronement as a formal transfer of military authority. A non-public, institutional publication. A rare visual record of imperial ceremony, military order, and state control. Highly recommended for collectors of Imperial Japanese military history. As well as researchers focusing on command structure, state ritual, and pre-WWII Japan. International Buyers – Please Note. Thank you for your understanding.
Own a Piece of History. This is an original. 1928 illustrated scroll “Showa Gotaitei Emaki”. To commemorate the enthronement ceremonies of. Emperor Hirohito (Showa Emperor). The scroll measures an impressive. 418 cm 164 in. In total length, and features beautifully printed illustrations by leading Japanese artists of the time, including. Poems are contributed by. Emperor Hirohito (Showa Emperor) reigned from. Overseeing the most dramatic and turbulent era in modern Japanese history. During the 1930s-1945 period, he stood as. The head of state of Imperial Japan. The supreme authority within the military structure. Making him a central figure in Japanese politics and wartime decision-making. This scroll records the. Created at a time when Japan was not yet at total war-capturing the nation before it entered the most consequential years of the 20th century. Because of the emperor’s role in both domestic governance and the military system, any original prewar material related to Hirohito is highly valued among collectors of. Royal and court ceremonial culture. Showa Gotaitei Emaki (Showa Enthronement Illustrated Scroll). Matsuoka Eikyu / Yamaguchi Hoshun / Yoshimura Tadao / Yamada Shuei. One wooden roller end is missing. Age-related toning, creases, light stains. Some fold lines from storage. No major tears; fully viewable. Please check all photos carefully. Authentic prewar Imperial Japan artifact. With significant historical value. Approximate 7-21days(To USA).
This is an original red lacquer ceremonial sake cup created to commemorate the Imperial Enthronement Ceremony (, Gotairai) of Emperor Showa (Hirohito) in 1928 (Showa 3). The inside of the cup features the bold character?? (“Tamawaru” – “Bestowed” or “Imperial Gift”), symbolizing honor and blessing. Around the outer rim, in gold lacquer, it reads. ? (“Commemorating the Imperial Enthronement Ceremony of Showa 3″). The cup is finished with a fine gilt rim. Box inscription (on the lid interior). The original wooden box has an important inscription, which connects this cup to a later historical event. Right column: Showa 4 (1929), April 25 – Yasukuni Shrine, on the occasion of the Temporary Grand Festival. Center column: Dedication of martial arts demonstrations (?) – bayonet drills and kendo matches were performed. Left column: Signed with affiliation/names (partially in cursive script, preserved as-is). The red circular seal is the mark of the original lacquerware shop. This means the cup, originally made for the 1928 Enthronement, was later dedicated or presented in 1929 at Yasukuni Shrine during a major festival, in connection with martial arts dedication ceremonies. This double provenance-Imperial and martial-greatly enhances its historical value. Who: The Japanese people, martial arts groups, and Shinto community honoring the Emperor. What: A commemorative lacquer sake cup celebrating the Showa Emperor’s enthronement and later used in a Yasukuni Shrine martial arts dedication. When: Cup produced in 1928 (Showa 3); box inscription dated 1929 (Showa 4). Where: The enthronement ceremonies were held in Kyoto; the dedication occurred at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo. Why: To celebrate the enthronement as a national event, and to dedicate martial arts performances to the spirits of the fallen. How: Such lacquer cups were used in ceremonial banquets and dedication rituals, then preserved in wooden boxes with inscriptions noting the occasion. Japanese lacquer (urushi) is made from the sap of the lacquer tree. It produces a hard, glossy, and durable coating admired for centuries. This cup uses red lacquer (shu-urushi) with gold-painted inscriptions and a gilt rim, typical of high-quality ceremonial vessels. Care: Avoid direct sunlight and alcohol cleaners. Simply wipe gently with a soft dry cloth. Imperial Enthronement + Yasukuni Shrine martial arts dedication – two major historical events connected in one artifact. Large bold character?? inside, symbolizing honor and Imperial blessing. Original inscribed box with provenance, making it valuable as both a ceremonial object and a historical document. Excellent for collectors of Japanese Imperial memorabilia, martial arts history, and Shinto-related artifacts. ? This is not just a sake cup, but a piece of Japanese history with strong connections to the Imperial Enthronement of Emperor Showa and the Yasukuni Shrine martial traditions of the early Showa period. Approximate 7-21days(To USA).
This is an original Imperial Japanese Enthronement Officials Badge. Issued for junior government officials (Hannin-kan) who participated in the Imperial enthronement ceremonies. Imperial Chrysanthemum Crest (symbol of the Emperor). Paulownia Crest (symbol of the Japanese government). The inscription “Enthronement Official” in blue enamel at the center. These badges were worn exclusively during the Daijo (Imperial Enthronement) ceremonies. Which marked the accession of Emperor Hirohito (Showa Emperor). Emperor Hirohito’s accession occurred immediately after the death of the previous emperor. And the early Showa enthronement ceremonies were conducted with restrained formality and limited production. Making surviving official items particularly scarce today. Reverse marked: Japan Mint / I. Official government issue, not a private or souvenir item. Badges such as this were produced in very limited numbers and issued only to authorized personnel. Shows natural age-related wear and patina consistent with an authentic pre-war item. Details and inscription remain clearly visible. Please refer to photos for condition. A rare and well-documented piece of Imperial Japanese ceremonial history. Approximate 7-21days(To USA).