Hirohito

[Ian Sayer]

Can anyone kindly tell me when this photo was taken please.
Many thanks
Ian

[Wellgunde]

My guess (and it is only a guess) from looking at photos with known dates is that this photograph was taken between 1950 and 1960. The writing says "Hirohito." I find that unusual. No Japanese person would need to write an identification on a photo of the emperor since everyone knew who he was. It might even have been considered somewhat disrespectful. The choice of "Hirohito" is also strange since many Japanese did not know his name. He was universally referred to as "His Majesty, the Emperor" (tenno heika - 天皇陛下).

[hisashi]

裕仁 seems his autograph. Even in prewar era he wrote so. Some noble family kept his picture presented from himself with autograph.　In that case we have no clue for the date.

[Eugen Pinak]

That's definitely a postwar photo, presented by the Emperor to somebody. Rare find, IMHO.

[Ian Sayer]

Thanks guys! Its definitely his autograph. I have a similar photo of the Empress also autographed which I will post shortly.

[Ian Sayer]

Here is a photo of Mrs Hirohito taken at around the same time as her husband's. Does this help to date both photos?
Ian

[Japanx]

Hi Ian,

I think both photos came from late 50s - early 60s.

Here comes a time coordinate

[Japanx]

This pair of framed photographs (hand signed by Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagaro) were presented to his Excellency Mr. Eigil Nygaard, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Norway in Japan in 1966.

Close-up`s

[Japanx]

photos were presented together with 1st class rising sun order

Case

[Japanx]

Badge and breast star

[Japanx]

Doc

This group was recently sold in US.

[Japanx]

Another time coordinate - photo from 1956.
I`d say pretty close

Regards,
Nick

[Ian Sayer]

Hi Nick
Thanks for posting all the pics. Looking at them I think Hirohito and his wife look younger than the 1956 photos. I'm leaning towards the 1940s at the moment. What do you think?
Regards
Ian

[Japanx]

Hmmm
Well, here they are in the 1941

Closer

[Japanx]

Late 40s (?)