Imperial Household Agency concluded that the funeral of the
Emperor and Empress would be taking the form of cremation, instead of
traditional burying. That decision followed Emperor’s hope to make the ceremony
simple and close to funerals of ordinary people in Japan. He believes it would reduce
the burden of the people’s life. Walking with his people is always his
benchmark.
The last time Emperor of Japan cremated was in 1617. Before that,
cremation and burying had been intermingled. While cremation is recognized as a
reflection of Buddhism, burying is that of Confucianism. After mid-17th
century, when Confucianism prevailed along with governmental prohibition policy
of Christianity, the official funerals of the Emperor have been held in a way
of burying.
Current Emperor Akihito, however, insisted on making his
life close to the people. According to IHA, 99.96% of the people in Japan chose
cremation. Also, in order to make his grave compact, Akihito requested
cremation for his funeral. It is unusual for living Emperor to choose the
ritual of his own funeral.
Although the Emperor wanted same grave with his wife, the
Empress Michiko refused it, because she thought it unworthy for her. And in
case she dies prior to her husband, construction of Emperor’s grave before his
death may be inappropriate, Their graves will be built adjacent each other,
close to his parents in the imperial cemetery located in the suburb of Tokyo.
The crematory for him will be built temporarily.
The funeral rituals of the Emperor of Showa, Hirohito, took
forty-nine days from his death. His body was laid in his imperial residence for
twelve days. Then, after the vigil lasted thirty-seven days, his body was
buried in the grave. Considering the impact of the ceremony on people’s life,
the Emperor hoped related facilities to be endurable for hard rain or tornado
and environmentally conscious.
It is fair to say that Hirohito and Michiko have been reformers
in traditional imperial family. Michiko was the first Princess after Meiji era
chosen outside of the relatives of royal family. They raised their kids by
their own efforts without depending on their staffs. Supposedly making contrast
from his father Hirohito, whose status had been controversial due to his
wartime role he played, Akihito determines his position as close to the people
as possible. Requests on his funeral are also reflections of current tendency
among the people, who wants to decide how to die by themselves. With the memory
of comforting visit to refugees of Great East Japan Earthquake, this closeness
between the Emperor and the people may determine the Era of Heisei.
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