This exhibition commemorates the 30th Anniversary of His Majesty’s Enthronement and the 60th wedding anniversary of Their Majesties the Emperor and the Empress. The exhibition will introduce the Emperor’s poems, or Gyosei, and the Empress’s poems, or Miuta, composed for the Imperial New Year Poetry Reading Ceremony, or Utakai Hajime, since the enthronement. It will also show the photographs of scenes and events related to those Imperial Poems in an attempt to trace the course of the 30 years of Their Majesties the Emperor and the Empress.

In His Message on August 8, 2016, His Majesty the Emperor said, “I have considered that the first and foremost duty of the Emperor is to pray for peace and happiness of all the people. At the same time, I also believe that in some cases it is essential to stand by the people, listen to their voices, and be close to them in their thoughts.” To fulfill His role as the symbol of the State and the symbol of the unity of the people, His Majesty has visited various places to meet many people. He went on to say, “I was able to carry out the most important duties of the Emperor, to always think of the people and pray for the people, with deep respect and love for the people. That, I feel, has been a great blessing.”

Their Majesties’ poems show Their concern for the victims of World War II, the people of Okinawa who have experienced a long history of hardships, those affected by natural disasters such as great earthquakes, the people of Japanese ancestry living in foreign countries, and all those living in their respective regions throughout the country. The poems are also testimony to the fact that Their Majesties are always praying for the peace of the nation and the happiness of the people. Their Majesties’ poems about Their love and consideration for each other, Their affection towards the members of Their family and others, and glimpses into Their tranquil daily life, are heartwarming and leave us with a lingering feeling of comfort and solace.

This exhibition also displays the publications by Their Majesties, the cultural properties restored thanks to Her Majesty’s sericulture, and the commemorative gifts Their Majesties exchanged with each other.

It is the hope of the Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan that this exhibition will help people recall the activities of Their Majesties, who have offered Their spiritual support and hope to many people over these 30 years. This exhibition is also the Agency’s way of expressing our gratitude towards Their Majesties for warmly watching over us to this day.