Princess Sayako’s Farewell Audience

Princess Sayako of Japan had a ‘Choken-no-Gi’ Farewell Audience with her parents, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, at the Imperial Palace of Tokyo on this day in 2005, 20 years ago, her last rite as a member of the Imperial Family ahead of her Wedding to Yoshiki Kuroda.

In the morning, Princess Sayako wore the traditional 12-layered kimono for a series of rituals in the shrines of the Imperial Palace.

Princess Sayako of Japan, in ancient formal court ensemble, is led by a Master of Rituals as she pays respects at sanctuaries where Japanese gods and the spirits of late emperors are enshrined, at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

Emperor Akihito’s youngest child, Princess Sayako, 36, bid a formal farewell to the royal family Saturday in a traditional ceremony ahead of her wedding next week to a commoner, a Tokyo government official Yoshiki Kuroda

Japan’s Princess Sayako, dressed in a purple, 12-layered kimono with orange and green trim, is seen as she pays respects at sanctuaries where Japanese gods and the spirits of late emperors are enshrined, at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

Afterwards, Princess Sayako wore Court Dress for her ‘Choken-no-Gi’ Farewell Audience with her parents, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, inside the Imperial Palace.

Japan’s Princess Sayako exchanges farewell greetings with Emperor Akihito, left, as Empress Michiko, 3rd left, looks on, during a traditional “Choken-no-gi” ceremony, her last rite as a member of the Imperial family, at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

Princess Sayako wore her Diamond Tiara, Diamond Necklace and Earrings with the Order of the Precious Crown for the final time. The Tiara has remained in her possession and has now been loaned to her niece, Princess Aiko.

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko (wearing the Imperial Chrysanthemum Tiara)

Princess Sayako’s Mikimoto Diamond Tiara

Imperial Chrysanthemum Tiara