JAPANESE ORDERS OF CHIVALRY

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 261, 4 August 1928, Page 24

JAPANESE ORDERS OF CHIVALRY

some' curious dignities

English works on dignities contain flight 'reference, to or information concerning Japanese imperial decorations. It is. to a little known privately printed French pamphlet, entitles “Les Ordres de Chevalerie' et- ies Distinctions Honoriflqu'es de Japon,” by W. L. Brunet, that the inquirer must turn for their history and description. Japan could hare had orders of chivalry, as old as those of. the; Garter or the Bath had her Mlkadoes deemed them desirable means-for the 'bestowal of honours. It was probably the isolation of Japan under , the ,'Shogunate < rule that.' ac-. cotinted for its .rulers’ ignorance of or indifference' to the existence of orders of chivalry, for during 'that p'erlod of separation from the rest of the world there - could be neither give nor take between th£m and the outside nations (says R.K.P. in the "Age”). Hence it was not until the barriers were broken down, the Emperor came to his oWn again at-the Restoration, and Japan entered the comity of nations, that it was deemed advisable to create these distinctions. Since then Japan, unlike many Western nations, has always maintained their value by a wise restraint in their bestowal. There are tlx orders at the bestowal of the Emperor of Japan, namely, the Chrysanthemum, Paulownia, Rising Sun, Sacred Treasure, Golden Kite, and Sacred Crown. The first are practically reserved for reigning Sovereigns, great statesmen, and warriors; the second for high functionaries of the Empire and other States. The third and fourth, the Rising Sun and the Sacred Treasure, are those usually bestowed on members of the outside world, the fifth for Japanese soldiers who have seen military service, and the sixth for women. The Order of the Rising Sun was created in 1876.. The sun has always been a subject of veneration with the Japanese, the very name of the country being a

contraction of the Chinese “Jiphen,” “the place the sun comes from.” Fac- ‘ ing. as the shores of the main islands do, the point of the compass where the sun rises from a boundless ocean, the origin of the name is not far to seek. Its scarlet ball also figures on the national ensign. The decoration consists of a central medallion upon which is s 6t a crimson garnet in cobochon (i.e., ' uncut), emblematic of the sun. This is enclosed in eight groups in. gold of the sun's rays, alternating in the proportion of five to three, the centre of each ray being white enamel. Below the fifth class the rays are of silver The whole is surmounted by one of the imperial crests, three paulownia leaves and sprays of flowers, the number or

the lattter varying according to the class. On the reverse is the inscription, “In Evidence of Merit.” The Paulownia imperialis is a tree with purple flowers, which resemble in shape and size ‘our foxglove. The insignia are a scarf over the right shoulder, 'to the base of which Is attached the order, arid also on the left breast the star of the order. Grand officers wear the order on the right breast: commanders wear it round the ueck attached by a larger ribbon than in the case of inferior grades. Their ribbon bears a rosette imposed upon it. as does that of officers of the fourth class, but the latter and chevaliers wear the order on the left breast. The ribbon is white, with red stripe on either side.

The Order of the Sacred Treasure was founded in ISBS. It is the national order par excellence,, and is for bestowal on those who have rendered services to the Emperor in all branches of human activity, but it takes a secondary place in Japanese estimation to the Rising Sun, although equal in rank. The Order of the Sacred Treasure is a design composed of three treasures which the Emperors have possessed as titles of their legitimate sovereignty since the foundation of the dynasty, namely, the mirror, the necklace, and the swords, which the first Emperor left to his successors. All are included in the insignia. The Order of the Golden Kite is of more recent date, having been founded in 1891. The insignia consists of a species of star in red enamel, edged gold or silver, according to class, upon which is a, St. Andrew’s Cross enamelled blue, And bearing two golden banners. Arranged vertically over the St. Andrew’s Cross is a sword, point down, on the guard of which is a golden kite with wings displayed. According to ai. ancient Japanese legend, it was a kite hovering in the air which helped to win victory for one of the early' Japanese Emperors, which accounts for the name of this essentially military order of the East. It is never bestowed upon foreigners.

These Japanese orders are divided into eight classes, which answer to European distinctions somewhat as follow:—Grand cross, grand officer, commander, chevalier first class, chevalier second class, and two inferior ones. The modes of wearing are the same as in the case of the Rising Sun. Foreign nations, as a rule, have to rely on Paris or Birmingham for the design and manufacture of their decorations. Japan is an exception, which occasions no surprise when we remember her wide-world fame in the art of the enamelist, which figures so largely In these jewels.