Coronation of the Kozanese Monarch

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The **coronation of the monarch of Kozan** (戴冠式(たいかんしき), **Taikan-shiki**?) is a formal ceremony meant to officially mark the commencement of a new royal era for the Kozanese monarchy. Taking place within 2 - 3 months following the previous monarch's death or abdication, the ceremony involves the administering of the crown followed by the newly-crowned monarch taking a royal oath of allegiance, both of which are given by the Chief Priest of the Hakurei Shrine.

The first formal coronation in the Federal Kingdom of Eastern Kozan took place for the crowning of King Kichou in 1752 at the Kozankyo Imperial Palace in Kozankyo. All subsequent public coronations take place at noon Eastern Kozan Standard or Daylight Time from Kichou's crowning until the Kozanese Reunification, where all coronations after that take place in Horudika Canal at noon Western Kozan Standard Time. Recitation of the oath is mandated by the Kozanese constitution. The Chief Priest is not mandated by the constitution to give the oath, but they do so at all coronations.

Over the years, various traditions and customs have arisen that expand the coronation from a simple oath-taking and crowning ceremony. Multiple parades and social gatherings such as royal balls are usually held on these days. The ceremony itself is also broadcast on all Kozanese commercial television and cable news networks, and a number of websites provide livestreaming of the event.

## History

### Dates

Following the death of Queen Marisa in 1752, the first coronation took place in the summer of that year. All subsequent coronations took place four months after the previous monarch's death or abdication until the Federal Kingdom of Kozan declared independence from Sweden in 1809. After that, the coronation day was moved to two and a half months after the previous monarch's death or abdication. All coronations are not considered a public holiday in the country for all federal employees in the Horudika Canal or Kozankyo areas who are generally scheduled to work or perform non-overtime work. The coronation day is also not a holiday for employees or students who aren't regularly scheduled to work or attend school on such day.

### Locations

Prior to the Meiji Restoration in 1867, all coronations were held at the Kozankyo Imperial Palace's northern front. After the Kozanese Reunification, the site for coronation ceremonies was moved to Horudika Canal.

### Attendees

In addition to the public, the attendees at coronations generally include the Prime Minister, members of Parliament, Supreme Court justices including the Chief Priest, high-ranking military officers, sometimes former monarchs who previously abdicated, and other dignitaries.

## Ceremony elements

The coronation procedure begins with the King or Queen Interim arriving at the designated area where they will receive the crown and take the oath. Everyone must dress formally; the only exception is the Chief Priest of the Hakurei Shrine must dress in their religious robes (usually a sokutai if the Chief Priest is male, or a five-layer kimono that resembles a junihitoe if the Chief Priest is female). The ceremony almost always begins around or after noon where the crown is administered and the oath is recited, followed by the coronation address.

### Administering of the crown and oath

The crown is always administered first where the Chief Priest places the crown on the head of the new monarch. Shortly after the crowning, the monarch recites the constitutionally mandated oath of office in both of Kozan's national languages, usually going like this:

In English:
*I, (monarch's full title), do solemnly swear that I will faithfully assume the throne as the monarch of the Federal Kingdom of Kozan, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the constitution of the Federal Kingdom of Kozan. So help me God.*
In Japanese:
私は、（君主のフルタイトル）、鉱山国君主の王位を忠実に就き、全力を尽して鉱山国憲法を維持、保護、擁護することを厳粛に誓う。神様よ照覧あれ。
Under all conventions during the oath, all new monarchs place their left hand around the ridges of the Mini-Hakkero that is on top of a cushioned surface that is being held by the consort. The Mini-Hakkero has a historical significance due to the fact that Queen Marisa was the original owner of it and has passed it down to each new ruler of the Kozanese throne.

Following the oath, the Kozanese Royal Marine Band performs four ruffles and flourishes, followed by "Hail to the Chief", while a 21-gun salute from the Kozanese Royal Defense Force is fired. The Kozanese Royal Marine Band is also the only musical unit to provide musical honors during coronations, and they also play in the subsequent parades and coronation balls after that.

### Coronation address

Newly coronated monarchs also give a speech that is referred to as the coronation address. This was started by King Kichou in 1752. After his crowning and oath of allegiance on the balcony of the Kozankyo Imperial Palace, he read a speech before members of Kozan's Parliament - every monarch since Kichou has delivered a coronation speech. The current customs dictate the Chief Priest administer the oath first, followed by the monarch's speech.

These addresses allow the monarch to present their vision of Kozan and set forth their goals during their reign.

### Coronation parade

Following the coronation address, it has been customary for the monarch, alongside the Prime Minister and their respective members, as well as leading members of the Kozanese government and military to conduct a parade as a way to showcase the new monarch to the public.

### Coronation ball

A formal social gathering is usually hosted by the new monarch and is usually held on the night of the coronation.

### Security

The security of coronations is a complicated subject involving the Kozanese Royal Defense Force. The Force also requests assistance from federal law enforcement agencies throughout the country.

## See also

* Inauguration of the Kozanese Prime Minister