Figure 1.--This October 1938 snap shot of Prince Akihito on a tricycle shows him wearing a sailor suit and white stockings. Many Japanese children at the time wore short pants and long stockings, at least in the cities. In rural areas, traditional clothing was still common.

We have some limited information on what Prince Akahito wore as a boy. Our assessment is entirely based on the photographic record, portraits of the Prince and his family. We see family portraits with the children waring traditional outfits, but the Emperor and Emperess wearing western clothes--which must have sent a signal and suggests a clear orientation toward the West. RThis is a little surprising given the fact that the 1930s was when Japan was becoming increasingly hostile to the West and began a series of aggressions leading ultimately to the Pacific War (1941-45). We notice Prince Akahito wearing traditional clothes for different special events, but as far as we can tell, he wore Western clothes for everyday clothing, This would have refklected the Emperor's tastes and perhaps that of the Emperess. The same was true for his little brother. One portrait shows him at age 5 years wearing traditional clothes for the shishigosan festival. As a little boy we see and his brither wearing several different sailor suit outfits. We also see him wearing stylish button-on short pants outfits. As far as we can tell, these are the outfits he wore for every day. This was at a time when many Japanese people, especially country people still wore traditional clothes. We do know that he attended regular schools and wore school uniforms. The school had a cadet-style uniform.

Traditional Clothing

We see family portraits with the children waring traditional outfits, but they were mot very common. We notice Prince Akahito wearing traditional clothes, but usually for special events, but as far as we can tell, he wore Western clothes for everyday clothing, One portrait shows him at age 5 years wearing traditional clothes for the shishigosan festival. The same was true for his little brother.

Western Clothing

The Emperor and Emperess wearing western clothes--which must have sent a signal and suggests a clear orientation toward the West. This might be seen as a little surprising given the fact that the 1930s was when Japan was becoming increasingly hostile to the West and began a series of aggressions leading ultimately to the Pacific War (1941-45). It must rembered thatr the Emperor was seen as a moderizinuing force in Japan, as was the Army. I think we see the same thing today with fundamentalist Muslims wearing blue jeans. The Western clothing almosdt certainkly would have reflected the Emperor's tastes and perhaps that of the Emperess. It is not something that was forced upon them by Court officials or the Government. We do not know to what extent the Emperess exerted her preferences in this regard. She was basically very sunmissive, but it choosing the children's clothes you would think she may have had some say. Perhaps our Japanese readers will know more about this, As a little boy we Akahito and his little brother wearing several different sailor suit outfits. We also see him wearing stylish button-on short pants outfits. As far as we can tell, these are the outfits he wore for every day. This was at a time when many Japanese people, especially country people still wore traditional clothes. We do know that he attended regular schools and wore school uniforms. The school had a cadet-style uniform.

Created: 2:26 AM 10/15/2006
Last updated: 1:58 AM 3/20/2011