The Tiarapedia: JapanBelow is a list of the tiaras worn by the women of Japan’s imperial family; it includes only the tiaras currently worn by the family, not historical tiaras or tiaras whose ownership is currently uncertain. Click on the title of the tiara to be taken to pages with fuller histories, large images, and much more information. Enjoy!
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The Akishino Tiara: A balanced diamond tiara featuring repeating festoon, scroll, and star motifs, accompanied by coordinating jewels to form a parure. Made by Mikimoto. Given to Crown Princess Kiko (the Princess Akishino) when she joined the imperial family in 1990. Worn by Crown Princess Kiko. Worn as a wedding tiara by Crown Princess Kiko (1990).
The Hitachi Pearl Fringe Tiara: A diamond fan tiara featuring a fringe-like row of round pearl toppers. Worn by the Princess Hitachi.
The Hitachi Wedding Tiara: A fascinating diamond and pearl tiara featuring a central sunburst motif surrounded by scrolling wave designs, accompanied by coordinating jewels to form a parure. Given to the Princess Hitachi when she joined the imperial family in 1964. Worn by the Princess Hitachi. Worn as a wedding tiara by the Princess Hitachi (1964).
The Imperial Chrysanthemum Tiara: A diamond floral tiara featuring chrysanthemums, an important Japanese imperial symbol. Created in the twentieth century using diamond chrysanthemum brooches from the collection of Empress Sadako (Teimei). Worn by Empress Nagako (Kojun) and Empress Michiko.
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| AFP/Getty Images |
The Japanese Crown Princely Wedding Tiara: A large tiara featuring exaggerated diamond scroll and ribbon designs, accompanied by coordinating jewel to form a parure. Given to Empress Michiko when she joined the imperial family in 1959. Worn by Empress Michiko, Empress Masako, and Crown Princess Kiko. Worn as a wedding tiara by Empress Michiko (1959) and Empress Masako (1993).
The Japanese Honeysuckle Tiara: A classic tiara of diamond honeysuckle and scroll elements, accompanied by coordinating jewels to form a parure. Given to the Princess Chichibu when she joined the imperial family in 1928. Worn by the Princess Chichibu and Empress Michiko. Worn as a wedding tiara by the Princess Chichibu (1928).
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| AFP/Getty Images |
The Meiji Tiara: A diamond festoon and scroll tiara able to be worn with either round brilliant or diamond star toppers, or without any top elements at all. Made in Europe in the 1880s, possibly by Chaumet. Reserved exclusively for the use of the empress consort. Worn by Empress Haruko (Shoken), Empress Sadako (Teimei), Empress Nagako (Kojun), Empress Michiko, and Empress Masako.The Mikasa Kokoshnik: A diamond tiara in a classic kokoshnik shape. Worn by Princess Mikasa. Worn as a wedding tiara by Princess Mikasa.
The Mikasa Pearl Drop Tiara: A low-profile diamond tiara that includes several round pearls suspended in open arch sections. Originally worn by Princess Yasuko of Mikasa, and returned to the imperial vaults on her marriage in 1966. Worn by Princess Yasuko of Mikasa and the Princess Takamado.
The Pearl Sunburst Tiara: An art-deco style fringed tiara with a row of round pearl toppers, punctuated in the center by a stack of brilliants topped by a larger round pearl, accompanied by coordinating jewels to form a parure. Worn by Empress Michiko and Empress Masako.
Princess Akiko’s Tiara: A diamond and pearl scroll tiara, accompanied by coordinating jewels to form a parure. Presented to Princess Akiko of Mikasa on her twentieth birthday in 2001. Worn by Princess Akiko of Mikasa.
Princess Ayako’s Tiara: A modern diamond tiara with leaf and flower designs, accompanied by coordinating jewels to form a parure. Presented to Princess Ayako of Takamado on her twentieth birthday in 2010. Returned to the imperial vaults on her marriage in 2018. Worn by Princess Ayako of Takamado.
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| TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/Getty Images |
Princess Kako’s Tiara: A tiara of diamond fleur-de-lis and festoon motifs, accompanied by coordinating jewels to form a parure. Made by Mikimoto. Presented to Princess Kako of Akishino on her twentieth birthday in 2014. Worn by Princess Kako of Akishino.
Princess Mako’s Tiara: A diamond tiara featuring fleur-de-lis, festoon, and floral designs, accompanied by coordinating jewels to form a parure. Made by Wako. Presented to Princess Mako of Akishino on her twentieth birthday in 2011. Worn by Princess Mako of Akishino.
Princess Noriko’s Tiara: A gorgeous, stylized tiara of scrolling waves set with diamonds and pearls, accompanied by coordinating jewels to form a parure. Made by Mikimoto. Presented to Princess Noriko of Takamado on her twentieth birthday in 2008. Returned to the imperial vaults on her marriage in 2014. Worn by Princess Noriko of Takamado.
Princess Sayako’s Tiara: An elaborate diamond scroll and floral tiara, accompanied by coordinating jewels to form a parure. Made by Mikimoto. Presented to Princess Sayako (the Princess Nori) ca. 1990. Worn by Princess Sayako and Princess Aiko.
Princess Tomohito’s Wedding Tiara: A diamond and pearl tiara featuring leaf and scroll designs, accompanied by coordinating jewels to form a parure. Given to Princess Tomohito of Mikasa when she joined the imperial family in 1980. Worn by Princess Tomohito of Mikasa. Worn as a wedding tiara by Princess Tomohito of Mikasa (1980).
Princess Tsuguko’s Tiara: A balanced bandeau-style tiara of diamond leaves, accompanied by coordinating jewels to form a parure. Presented to Princess Tsuguko of Takamado on her twentieth birthday in 2006. Worn by Princess Tsuguko of Takamado.
Princess Yoko’s Tiara: A diamond and pearl floral and scroll tiara, accompanied by coordinating jewels to form a parure. Presented to Princess Yoko of Mikasa on her twentieth birthday in 2003. Worn by Princess Yoko of Mikasa.
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| HENRIK MONTGOMERY/AFP/Getty Images |
The Takamado Diamond Bandeau: A classical diamond floral bandeau, reminiscent of tiaras made during the nineteenth century. Worn by the Princess Takamado.The Takamado Floral Necklace Tiara: A diamond necklace with a central diamond pendant in a floral design, able to be placed on a frame and worn as a tiara. Worn by Princess Ayako of Takamado.
The Takamado Scroll Tiara: A balanced tiara of diamond scroll elements, embellished with pearls, and accompanied by coordinating jewels to form a parure. Presented to the Princess Takamado when she joined the imperial family in 1984. Worn by the Princess Takamado. Worn as a wedding tiara by the Princess Takamado (1984).
