J-Pop singer to perform song written and composed by the emperor and empress at upcoming ceremony

Singer Daichi Miura of Dragon Ball Super fame is selected to perform a song created by some unlikely collaborators–the Imperial Family of Japan.

Japan’s Heisei Era is coming to an end with the abdication of Emperor Akihito on April 30 of this year. His eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, will ascend to the Chrysanthemum Throne on the following day.

The ceremonial nature of an imperial succession requires a great deal of fastidious planning by a specially tasked committee ahead of time. Said committee most recently convened on January 17 to lay out an outline for the day’s events along with other specifics, including a special commemorative ceremony to be held next month. This event, which will celebrate Emperor Akihito’s 30-year-reign, is confirmed to take place on February 24 at the National Theatre of Japan in Tokyo. A more surprising announcement, however, is that the Emperor and Empress themselves will lend a hand in the musical aspects of the ceremony.

It was revealed that Emperor Akihito will pen the lyrics, Empress Michiko will compose the music, and Daichi Miura (三浦 大知), a 31-year-old singer, songwriter, and dancer from Okinawa Prefecture, will be the one to actually perform a new song on stage at the event.

▼ Miura offering a New Year’s greeting to his fans on December 31 while appearing on the annual singing competition show Kohaku Uta Gassen

どうも三浦大知本人です 本年も皆様最大級の応援、サポートを有難うございました 残り僅かな2018年をみんなで楽しみましょう ^_^ 2019年もよろしくお願い致します！ #三浦大知 #daichimiura https://t.co/othZ7nRJsb

—
三浦大知【公式アカウント】 (@DAICHIMIURAinfo) December 31, 2018

Miura’s latest single titled “Blizzard” served as the theme song for the much-anticipated film Dragon Ball Super: Broly, which was released in Japanese theaters last month. He also performed the English version of the song for international releases. It’s somewhat uncanny to think that the Emperor now has an indirect connection to the Dragon Ball franchise!

▼ Miura’s official “Blizzard” music video

For those wondering about the Imperial Family’s musical abilities, Emperor Akihito can play the cello and Empress Michiko is a proficient piano player.

Net reactions ranged from the incredulous to the amused:

“I didn’t know that the Empress could also compose music!”
“From this day forth he shall be known as ‘Royal Miura.'”
“You can’t get a better career promotion than what Miura got.”
“So what will the credits look like when the song appears on karaoke machines??”
“They’ll read ‘Lyrics: Akihito. Composition: Michiko.’ Or maybe ‘Lyrics: His Imperial Majesty the Emperor. Composition: Her Imperial Majesty the Empress.'”
“I wonder if this song will replace the national anthem.”

Our curiosity is certainly piqued by how such an unlikely collaboration will turn out. Luckily, we only have to wait one more month to find out!

Source: Livedoor News via Golden Times
Featured image: Twitter/@DAICHIMIURAinfo

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