The Order of the Precious Crown (宝冠章) is a Japanese Order (decoration), established on January 4, 1888 by Emperor Meiji of Japan. Originally the order had five classes, but on April 13, 1896 the sixth, seventh and eighth classes were added. An Order is a decoration, awarded by a government to an individual, usually for distinguished service to a nation or to humanity. ... January 4 is the 4th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1888 is a leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar). ... Emperor Mutsuhito Mutsuhito or Mitsuhito (睦仁), the Meiji Emperor (明治天皇, literally wise ruling heaven emperor) (3 November 1852–30 July 1912) was the 122nd Emperor of Japan. ... April 13 is the 103rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (104th in leap years). ... 1896 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

The order is reserved for females (men may be awarded the Order of the Rising Sun instead); the first class is normally conferred to female royalty. Unlike its European counterparts, the order may be conferred posthumously. Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun The Order of the Rising Sun or Kyokujitsu sho(旭日章) is a Japanese Order (decoration), established on August 10, 1871 by Emperor Meiji of Japan. ... A satellite composite image of Europe Europe is geologically and geographically a peninsula, forming the westernmost part of Eurasia. ...

The order consists of eight classes.

The badge of the order is a gold oval medallion, with floral designs at its four ends; at the centre is an ancient Japanese crown on a blue background, surrounded by a red ring. It is suspended from a smaller badge, its design varies according to class, on a ribbon in yellow with red stripes near the borders, as a sash on the right shoulder for the 1st class, as a bow on the left shoulder for the other classes.

The star of the order, which is worn only by the first class, has five arms studded with pearl, with floral designs between the arms. The central disc features a Ho-o or phoenix on a blue background, surrounded by a red ring. For other things called pearl, see pearl (disambiguation). ... Chinese Phoenix sculpture, Nanning city, Guangxi province. ...

The order after the 2003 reform

In 2003 the Order of the Rising Sun, previouly reserved for males, were made available to women as well. This means the Order of the Precious Crown will hereafter be conferred only on foreign female dignitaries. 2003 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun The Order of the Rising Sun or Kyokujitsu sho(旭日章) is a Japanese Order (decoration), established on August 10, 1871 by Emperor Meiji of Japan. ...

See also

• Order of the Chrysanthemum
• Order of the Rising Sun
• Order of the Golden Kite
• Order of the Sacred Treasures
• Order of Culture
• Medals of Honor (Japan)

The Grand Order of the Badge of the Chrysanthemums (大勳位菊花章), better known in the West as the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, is Japans highest order. ... Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun The Order of the Rising Sun or Kyokujitsu sho(旭日章) is a Japanese Order (decoration), established on August 10, 1871 by Emperor Meiji of Japan. ... The Order of the Golden Kite (金鵄章) was a Japanese Order (decoration), established on February 12, 1889 by Emperor Meiji of Japan. ... The Order of the Sacred Treasures (瑞宝章) is a Japanese Order (decoration), established on January 4, 1888 by Emperor Meiji of Japan. ... The Order of Culture (文化勲章) is a Japanese Order (decoration), established on February 11, 1937. ... Since the late 19th Century, the Government of Japan has issued six different types of Medals of Honor (褒章 hosho) to individuals for achievements in various fields. ...

External link

Decoration Bureau page