Before reading this article, please click "Follow", which is not only convenient for you to discuss and share, but also can bring you a different sense of participation, thank you for your support
On his deathbed, he refused to be buried together
In 2015, 89-year-old Michiko was diagnosed with health problems such as "myocardial ischemia" at the University of Tokyo Hospital. Today, she rarely appears in the public eye anymore, but the deep wounds in her heart are still difficult to heal.
In 2019, when Emperor Akihito officially abdicated, Michiko also let go of her onerous responsibilities as empress and began to enjoy a relaxed "retirement life". She finally had plenty of time to rest and recuperate, trying to find the peace she hadn't seen for a long time.
However, at this moment, Michiko's heart still can't completely get rid of the torture she suffered in the imperial family back then. She has never been able to forget the rejection and oppression from the royal family, and the betrayal of her husband Akihito who finally chose to compromise with his mother.
All this filled her heart with anger and disappointment, and it was difficult to let go.
It was at this time that Emperor Akihito made a request that Michiko found unacceptable – he wanted to be laid to rest in the same mausoleum with Michiko after their deaths.
However, Michiko firmly rejected the offer.
As a commoner-born empress, Michiko has experienced too much injustice and suffering in the life of the royal family. She knew how far she could stand from Emperor Akihito, the supreme monarch.
Therefore, when faced with this decision, she was full of contradictions and entanglements in her heart.
On the one hand, she must also desire to be with her husband, Emperor Akihito, forever, and to cherish and depend on each other as she did in the past. But on the other hand, she could not agree that she and the supreme emperor should enjoy the same funeral treatment.
Over the years, Michiko had told Emperor Akihito countless times about her experience, hoping to get his full support. However, in the end, Akihito chose to give in to his mother, Empress Ryoko, and abandoned his wife.
This betrayal fills Michiko's heart with disappointment and pain, which is difficult to forgive.
Now, in her last days before her death, Michiko has finally made up her mind to resolutely refuse to be buried with Emperor Akihito. In this way, she wants to express to the world her deep reflection on the injustices she has suffered in the past, and her recognition of her civilian origins.
Michiko knew that her decision would cause an uproar, but at this moment, she was no longer afraid of any oppression and scolding from the royal family. Over the long years, she has learned how to be strong in the face of everything.
Michiko, who was dying, was full of emotion about the past. Recalling her magnificent experience from the commoner class to the royal family, she couldn't help but sigh.
The youthful beauty of that year has long since disappeared with time, replaced by a head full of gray hair and a face full of vicissitudes. But even after so many hardships, her heart is still resilient and has never been broken.
At this moment, Michiko can finally let go of everything in the past and rest in peace in this life in her own way. She believes that through this decision, she can finally get rid of the shackles of the royal world and regain the freedom and peace that she has not seen for a long time.
Encounters and marriages
Tracing the course of Michiko's life, the most critical turning point is undoubtedly the fate between her and Crown Prince Akihito.
One summer day in 1957, when Michiko learned that her beloved tennis tournament was about to be held in Karuizawa, she didn't hesitate to sign up.
As a dynamic young man who loves sports, Michiko has shown excellent skills and extraordinary strength on the field.
Who knew that in this fierce battle, Michiko actually met a strong opponent like the Japanese crown prince Akihito. For his part, Akihito has always been convinced that he will be able to crush any opponent, and with his royal status, he went into this match with confidence.
However, when the match officially began, Michiko's focused and steady performance impressed Akihito, and even made him feel admiration that he had never felt before. After two rounds of intense confrontation, Michiko finally defeated the confident Akihito with her extraordinary ball skills and quick reflexes.
At this moment, Akihito, who had never tasted failure, suddenly had a deep reverence for Michiko in his heart. Since then, he has never forgotten the vigorous and elegant figure under the mottled sun.
As the crown prince of Japan, Akihito received a high degree of self-cultivation throughout his life, and he has always adhered to his own principles and principles. But in the face of Michiko's charm, he can no longer hold himself and throws himself into it without hesitation, trying to realize his dream.
At the same time, Michiko is gradually moved by Akihito's passion, and under his persistent pursuit, she finally falls into his gentle country. In 1958, the Japanese imperial family officially launched the selection of the crown princess for Prince Akihito, and Michiko became the focus of attention.
However, the marriage was immediately met with strong opposition from all sides. The first to bear the brunt was Akihito's mother, Empress Yoshiko, who believed that Michiko's background was too ordinary to be worthy of joining the Japanese imperial family.
The conservative-led concubine selection committee insisted that Akihito must find a partner within the imperial family, and there was no precedent for commoners to enter the imperial family.
In their view, Michiko's background as a Christian, as well as her background in a private university that admires the spirit of Christ, is a serious "insult" to the traditional values of the Japanese imperial family.
Therefore, they did everything possible to obstruct this marriage, trying to completely strangle it in the cradle.
At the same time, the young Akihito firmly stated that he would do his best to complete the marriage. He was supported by the then Emperor Showa, as well as Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi. In their eyes, the marriage will not only promote the reform of the Japanese imperial family, but also leave a positive image for public opinion at home and abroad.
Eventually, under the pressure of many opposing voices, Emperor Showa had to come forward, and he said affectionately: "As long as the crown prince loves her, then it doesn't matter if she comes from the common class!" These words sound inclusive, but in fact there are political interests behind them.
It was in the midst of this strife that Michiko and Akihito walked hand in hand into the palace of marriage. Although both of them are optimistic that this is a victory over old feudal customs, Michiko's parents don't see it that way.
They know that this marriage will bring endless pain and distress to Michiko's future.
And when Michiko really entered the royal family, she gradually realized that what she was facing was not a warm and harmonious paradise, but a cold world full of oppression and hostility.
Wholeheartedly cared for by your family
Although Michiko eventually became the Empress of Japan, she grew up in an extremely unusual environment. As a girl from a civilian family, Michiko has an impressive life trajectory.
In October 1934, Michiko came into the world and was greeted by a wealthy Japanese family. Her grandfather, Sadaichiro, was one of the founders of the famous "King of Flour" and "Nissin Mill Co., Ltd."
He imported advanced mechanical milling technology from the United States, which not only created a huge business empire, but also opened up a whole new world.
Michiko's father, Eizaburo Shoda, was also an outstanding business elite who was active in the economic and financial fields and was highly respected. Michiko's mother, Tomami, was born into a traditional samurai family and received strict family education and martial arts training from an early age.
Such a wealthy and loving family environment laid a solid foundation for Michiko's growth. As the second child of the Shoda couple and their only daughter, she has been deeply loved and cared for by her parents since she was a child.
This meticulous home and school education allowed Michiko to show extraordinary learning talent and excellent character in her childhood. Whether in primary school or middle school, she has always been the focus of attention, with excellent grades, humble personality and noble character, she has won the admiration and love of teachers, and has also been loved and accepted by her classmates.
After successfully completing her secondary school studies, Michiko entered Sacred Heart Women's University, a prestigious university in Japan, with excellent grades. As one of the top three women's universities in Japan, the university has a long and deep history.
Getting the opportunity to enter this prestigious school means that you will have an absolute competitive advantage in terms of social circles, career pursuits, and even marriage choices in the future.
The family was overjoyed and proud of Michiko's outstanding academic achievements. She has a gentle and easy-going personality, a soft and touching appearance, but a firm and strong character on the inside, and the courage to challenge her own limits.
Although it is not her ultimate goal to be admitted to a prestigious school and receive many praises, what she pursues all the way is to constantly surpass and improve herself.
During her studies at Sacred Heart Women's University, Michiko even published an article she wrote to a well-known journal. Among the many submissions, her essay entitled "A Dream of Twenty Years Old" won the second prize for its profound philosophical reflections, adding more luster to her educational experience.
After experiencing this period of passion and joy in college, Michiko at this time is full of longing and anticipation for her future life. However, no one could have predicted that just a few months later, her life would face a huge turning point.
Michiko, who was originally focused on her career development, unexpectedly met a romantic suitor that she couldn't get rid of - Crown Prince Akihito. Since then, her life path has never been easy.
Numerous setbacks
When Michiko officially entered the Japanese imperial family, she gradually realized that this was not the beautiful paradise she had hoped for, but a cold world full of oppression and hostility.
As the first crown princess from the commoner class, Michiko was immediately strongly ostracized and dissatisfied by the court nobles. Those conservatives are ingrained in the belief that members of the royal family must find spouses within the royal family and must not "tarnish" the royal bloodline.
They were full of prejudice and hostility towards Michiko's origins and religious beliefs, and openly stated that it was an "insult" to the traditions of the Japanese imperial family.
Under such pressure, Michiko's life became extremely difficult. The warm and harmonious family life she longed for was dashed by the rules of the court and the difficulties of the palace people.
Whether it is her dress, words and deeds, she is always subject to harsh judgments and harsh requirements.
As a young crown princess, Michiko was born with outstanding looks and an excellent temperament, and her every move is full of charm that cannot be concealed. This instead caused a strong dissatisfaction among Empress Ryoko, who believed that Michiko's charm was slowly overshadowing her.
In order to make Michiko understand her "status", Empress Ryoko specially appointed Noriko Makino as the chief of Michiko's attendants, and severely reprimanded and guided her.
From then on, Michiko's life in the court became more and more difficult. No matter what her words and deeds are, she cannot escape the criticism and condemnation of others. Even the private sphere, which she originally valued the most, could not be given the respect and protection it deserved, and the daily routine was far out of her wishes.
This invisible spiritual shackle makes Michiko feel more and more depressed and lonely. She used to have a peachy face and a plump body, but she has already shown signs of pale face and emaciation, which makes people feel heartbroken.
However, as a commoner-born crown princess, Michiko did not choose to bow to fate. She has a tenacious strength deep within her, determined to use her strength to withstand the relentless attacks and oppression from the nobles of the court.
Although Michiko is often praised for her gentle and watery personality, in fact, it is the indomitable spirit hidden in her heart that is what really makes Crown Prince Akihito fall in love with her.
This tenacious spirit makes the emotional bond between the two people closer. But at the same time, it is precisely because of this strength that Michiko has encountered various setbacks and ups and downs in her life after entering the Japanese imperial family.
Akihito struggled with the choice between his mother and his wife, and finally chose to respect his mother's authority. As a result, Michiko could only get a few small words of comfort from Akihito in private, and could not get his full support at all costs.
Under the severe oppression of Empress Ryoko, Michiko was forced to live in an extremely oppressive environment for decades. This inextricable predicament not only filled her with disappointment and anger, but also caused serious damage to her physical and mental health.