[sumo] The Emperor's clothes

[Doreen Simmons]

This was, indeed, common knowledge. The 'pierced ears' story was given  
wide coverage at the time; naturally surgery for health reasons is  
fine, but cosmetic enhancements are not. The slightly uneven teeth and  
slightly drooping eyelid of the eventual bride were a guarantee that  
she hadn't had any corrective surgery. The stories about  young  
Japanese women being taken by their mothers for eyelid jobs and nose  
jobs either just before college entrance or just before job-hunting  
season are legion!  Cosmetic surgeons are fully booked at those times.  
You'd get the impression that no Japanese woman is what she seems --  
and it's not until she produces children that you can see what her  
genes really carry!

And as for clothes, the emperor and his family are expected to wear  
clothes suitable for the occasion. (Again, as representing the old  
Japanese ideal -- when I was newish here, and  going on hiking trails,  
I was amazed at the older Japanese men who dressed in full Alpine gear,  
including the little feather in the hat!)


On 2008/02/28, at 8:50, sumorina at mac.com wrote:

> Heard a funny story, but confirmed true by the wife of the Australian  
> Ambassador, concerning the restrictions on the Japanese Imperial  
> family.
>
> When they were searching, long and hard, for a bride for the Crown  
> Prince, there were several criteria including:
>
> Not taller than him ( That one went by the board!)
> A  virgin
> No pierced ears
>
> It seems, according to my source, that the Imperial family is not  
> allowed to do anything "against nature", so no dyeing the hair, no  
> piercing the ears.  I don't know how far this restriction goes,  
> certainly not as far as medical treatments as several members of the  
> royal family have been hospitalized and had various operations and  
> procedures.
>
> The Crown Prince had rather a hard time finding a bride and many  
> suitable girls from good families who were being considered apparently  
> rushed out and had their ears pierced.  Less complications than losing  
> their virginity no doubt!
>
> Katrina
>
>
> On 28/02/2008, at 8:21 AM, Robert Brown wrote:
>
>> I don't recall seeing a picture of the emperor in a
>> kimono.  I'm sure there are pictures out there, I just
>> haven't seen one.
>>
>> Kodiayama
>>
>> --- "Scott M. Kahn" <smk1 at columbia.edu> wrote:
>>
>>> Button down shirt and jeans, cutting rice:
>>> http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/images/03/03ph-26.jpg
>>>
>>> Visit to earthquake victims:
>>> http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/images/03/03ph-11.jpg
>>>
>>> One of my favorites, in a labcoat:
>>> http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/images/03/03ph-30.jpg
>>>
>>> Tennis outfit:
>>> http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/images/03/53tenisu.jpg
>>>
>>> Finally, A must see:
>>>
>> http://www.techblogy.com/kelvinlovesirenetan/wp-content/uploads/2006/ 
>> 11/18.jpg
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>>
>>
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Doreen Simmons
  jz8d-smmn at asahi-net.or.jp