Japan
Flagge und Beschreibung
The symbol in the centre of the "Hi-no-maru" (the Japanese national flag) is the state "Mon" or emblem. It has been the state symbol of Japan for centuries. The flag became the National Flag following the Meiji Restoration in 1868.
In 1999, Japan adopted new legislation on the national flag. The legislation set an official national flag with 2:3 proportion, and the sun disc at 3/5 of length in the center with BENI-IRO on white field.
Chrisanthemen - Orden
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| Gestiftet um 1876. Der Orden ist einklassig und auch die höchste Auszeichnung.
Er wird am Schulterband zusammen mit einem Bruststern getragen. Zu dem Orden kann eine Collane verliehen werden.
The Supreme Orders of the Chrysanthemum is the most prestigious award in Japan. The Grand Cordon of the Supreme Orders of the Chrysanthemum was established in 1876, and the Collar of the Supreme Orders of the Chrysanthemum in 1888. The order features a rising sun in the center, symbolizing the national flag, from which radiates rays of sunlight, wreathed with chrysanthemums and chrysanthemum leaves. The attachment between the medal and the ribbon is shaped into a chrysanthemum.
The collar features the two kanji characters mei and ji, indicating the imperial era of the award's establishment, in classic form and is decorated with chrysanthemums and leaves.
Note: The Rising Sun design is said to symbolize "kyokujitsushouten" (energy as powerful as the rising sun).
Orders of the Precious Crown
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| (Currently presented only to foreigners as a ceremonial award or on other special occasions) The Orders of the Precious Crown was established in 1888, concurrently with the Order of the Sacred Treasure. Originally, this medal was only conferred to women, featuring the precious crown based on the design of a crown worn by ancient empresses, encircled by pearls, designs of bamboo shoots, and cherry blossoms and leaves. The shape of the attachment draws its influence from the crests on ladies of the ancient Imperial Court, and includes paulownia, peony, butterfly, wistaria, apricot, and ripples.
Orders of the Sacred Treasure
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| The Orders of the Sacred Treasure, established in 1888, features a mirror, which was an ancient treasure, surrounded by sixteen connected circles, and four or eight beams of light. The attachment carries a chrysanthemum leaf pattern.
Paulowniaorden
| Durch kaiserlichen Erlaß am 4. Januar 1888 gestiftet.
Er ist einklassig und wird für zivile als auch für militärische Verdienste vorgesehen. Der Orden wird am Schulterband zusammen mit einem Bruststern getragen. Er gilt als zweithöchster Orden.
In 1888, Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers was established as the highest award in the Orders of the Rising Sun. However, it presently serves as a different award. The medal features rays of sunlight radiating from the rising sun, wreathed by Paulownia flowers. The attachment is also shaped into a Paulownia flower.
Orden der aufgehenden Sonne
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| Durch Parlamentsbeschluß am 10. April 1875 gestiftet.
Der Orden besteht aus acht Klassen und wird für zivile als auch militärische Verdienste vorgesehen.
The Orders of the Rising Sun, established in 1875, was Japan's first award. It features rays of sunlight radiating from the rising sun. The attachment is shaped into a chrysanthemum.
Kronenorden
| Ist nur für Damen vorgesehen.
Gestiftet durch kaiserlichen Erlaß am 4. Januar 1888.
Der Orden kennt acht Klassen.
Medals of Honour
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| Medal with Red Ribbon, Green Ribbon and Blue Ribbon were established in 1881, the Medal with a Dark Blue Ribbon in 1918, and the Medal with a Yellow Ribbon and Purple Ribbon in 1955. The circular medal features the kanji characters, Ho and Sho, which combined together means Medal of Honor, decorated with cherry blossoms. The medals are differentiated by the color of the ribbon.
Medal with Red Ribbon
to individuals who have risked their own lives to save others
Medal with Green Ribbon
to morally remarkable individuals who have actively taken part in serving society
Medal with Yellow Ribbon
to individuals who, through their diligence and perseverance, became public role models
Medal with Purple Ribbon
to individuals who have contributed to academic and artistic developments, improvements and accomplishments
Medal with Blue Ribbon
to individuals who have made prosperous efforts in the areas of public welfare and education
Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon
to individuals who have made exceptionally generous financial contributions for the good of the public
Kulturverdienstorden
| Einklassiger Orden, gestiftet durch kaiserlichen Erlaß am 11. Februar 1937. Er wird für Verdienste um Kunst und Kultur verliehen.
It was established in 1937, this medal features the five petals of a mandarin orange blossom with three magatama (comet-shaped stones) swirled in the center. The attachment features a mandarin orange and leaf.
Note: The indeciduous mandarin orange tree has been planted in the south garden of the Kyoto Gosho Shishinden since the Heian Era. Its position in the garden is immortalized by the phrase "Ukonno tachibana". Prized from ancient times, the mandarin orange tree symbolizes eternity. It is said that the mandarin orange tree is used in the Order of Culture because this symbolism connects deeply with the timelessness of culture.
Ehrenschalen
| Die 16blättrige Chrisantheme als Symbol des Japanischen Kaisers in Form einer Ehrenschale ist den "Orden" zuzurechnen. Im gegensatz dazu stehen die Schalen mit dem Symbol der Paulownia, diese sind dem Prinzen zur Verleihung vorbehalten. Sie zählen zu den "Verdienstzeichen".
Zur Verleihung kommen die Schalen in Formen von Sets (3 Schalen, zusammen mit einem Ständer).
Grundsätzlich kommen die Schalen dann zur Verleihung, wenn die Verdienste für eine sichtbare Auszeichnung (noch) nicht ausreichen.
Grundsätzliches
There are five kinds of official decorations in Japan
1) The Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum is the highest degree of honor. It is conferred only on the Imperial family, and, rarely, on heads of state such as President Dwight David Eisenhower.
2) The Order of the Rising Sun is bestowed on men. It was originally instituted as The Order of Merit on April 10, 1875, by Emperor Meiji as an award only to males for exceptional merit, civil or military. The Order comes in eight classes. "The badge consists of a multi-rayed white enamel star with a gold-rimmed, polished garnet in center. The badge is suspended from three green paulownia leaves and flowers. The ribbon is ivory moire edged with red. In the seventh class the Decoration consists of the green paulownia flowers alone. Eighth grade, silver paulownia flowers alone" (R. Werlich, Orders and Decorations of All Nations, 1965, 196).
3) The Order of the Precious Crown is for women.
4) The Order of the Sacred Treasure is awarded to both men and women.
5) The Order of Culture is given to those in the sciences and the arts.
The first foreign recipients were the three astronauts of the U.S. Apollo space rocket in 1969.
History
The Order of the Rising Sun was established in 1875 and the Order of the Sacred Treasure in 1888. After the Second World War the giving of decorations, except for culture, was interrupted for eight years. The practice resumed in 1953.
Bestowing honors on foreigners became a custom in 1981. These are conferred on April 29 and November 3 each year. They are awarded to foreigners who have made outstanding contributions to promote foreign relations with Japan. Between 1981 and 1988, 715 foreigners received decorations.
"The Prime Minister's office, in surveying, researching and planning for the awards system, is responsible for administrative aspects of the judging and the conferring of awards in general" (Japan. Decoration Bureau.)
Geschichtliche Entwicklung
The Decoration Bureau of the Cabinet Office is responsible for administrative duties pertaining to the conferral of awards, from conducting studies and research on the awards system to planning and selecting recipients for the Biannual Decoration Ceremonies and other awards.
Decorations are bestowed upon individuals in recognition of their services to the nation or public
Biannual Decoration Ceremonies
Decorations are awarded to commendable persons over the age of 70, and to individuals over the age of 55, recognized for their diligence in areas away from the public eye.
Held twice a year on April 29 and November 3, approximately 4,000 decorations are conferred at each ceremony.
Conferment for person with dangerous occupations
In addition to the Biannual Decoration Ceremonies, decorations are conferred on police officers, Self-Defense Force officers and other persons in high-risk professions over the age of 55, in recognition of their services. Held twice a year on April 29 and November 3, approximately 3,600 decorations are conferred at each ceremony.
Decoration Ceremonies for the Elderly
Meritorious individuals who have not received honors in the Biannual Decoration Ceremonies are conferred decorations at the age of 88.
Posthumous Decoration Ceremonies
Aside from the Biannual Decoration Ceremonies, decorations are conferred posthumously to commendable individuals when the occasion arises.
Decoration Ceremonies for Foreigners
Two types of decorations are awarded to foreigners; ceremonial decorations presented to state guests upon arrival or to diplomats leaving office, and decorations conferred on foreigners who have made notable contributions to enhance bilateral relations.
The latter is conferred concurrently with the Biannual Decoration Ceremonies, or upon arrival or departure.
Order of Culture
This order is awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in developing the Japanese culture. An awards ceremony is held on Culture Day, November 3, approximately five orders are presented annually.
