This is John Kennedy with another Postcard from Abroad from the University of Kansas.
When many hear the word chrysanthemum, it evokes visions of a floral arrangement. In Japan, however, it is used to describe the imperial throne. Emperor Akihito is the current head of the imperial house of Japan, the oldest continuous monarchy in the world. But the Emperor’s recent request to abdicate for reasons of declining health proved highly problematic as the Japanese government actually had to enact a law allowing him to do so. Crown Prince Naruhito is set to follow in his father’s footsteps in April but another dynastic dilemma looms as the 58-year old has no male heir. Might we hope that rule of the western-educated Prince will include a blossoming of gender equality that allows his daughter Aiko to become the first Empress to sit on the Chrysanthemum Throne?
With thanks to Hollie Hall from the KU Center for East Asian Studies for this text, this is John Kennedy. Wish you were here.
