April 30, 2019 literally marks the end of an era.  The 30 year imperial reign of Akihito, the Heisei emperor, will come to an end as his majesty abdicates to a well-deserved retirement.  The next day, his son, Crown Prince Naruhito, will ascend to the Chrysanthemum Throne and a new imperial reign, Reiwa, begins. The … Continue reading Imperial fever, imperial fervor