December 23rd is the Emperor of Japan's Birthday. This is a National holiday in Japan. The Japanese trace the lineage of their Emperors back for over 2 thousand years.
Called tenno no tanjobi, the national holiday changes as each new Emperor takes power in Japan. The previous Emperor's birthday often becomes a new special holiday. For example, Emperor Meiji, the Emperor who took power at age 15 and whose policies were the subject of the rebellion in The Last Samurai, had a birthday on November 3rd. That is now Culture Day.
Emperor Akihito was born on December 23, 1933. He had four older sisters, but as the first born male, he was first in line for the throne.
According to tradition, he was taken from his family when he turned 3 and was raised by tutors and nurses. However, unlike previous royalty who were strictly kept apart from all "normal people", Akihito was in fact sent to school with regular children so he would understand better their plight and needs. He was only in grade school during World War II.
In 1959, Akihito decided to ask Michiko Shoda to marry him. Many were shocked at this, as Shoda was not an aristocrat. The family brought even more modernity into their lives when they chose to raise their 3 children at home with them, instead of sending them off into the hands of others.
In 2003, Emperor Akihito turned 70 years old.
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