The Order of the Sacred Treasures (瑞宝章, Zuihōsho^?) is a Japanese Order (decoration), established on January 4, 1888 by Emperor Meiji of Japan. It is awarded in 8 classes (from 8th to 1st, in ascending order of importance). Generally awarded for long and/or meritorious service, and considered to be the lowest of the Japanese orders of merit (hosho). Originally a male-only decoration, the order has been made available to women since 1919; it is awarded for both civil and military merit, though of a lesser degree than that required for the conferment of the Order of the Rising Sun. Unlike its European counterparts, the order may be conferred posthumously. 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 (MDCCCLXXXVIII) is a leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Julian 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. ... 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for 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 in 1875 by Emperor Meiji of Japan. ... World map showing Europe Political map (neighboring countries in Asia and Africa also shown) Europe is one of the seven traditional continents of the Earth. ...

The insignia of the order incorporates symbols for the three imperial treasures: the Yata Mirror, so sacred that not even the Emperor is allowed to look at it; the Yasakani Jewel, which is made of the finest jade; and the Emperor's personal Sword. ... A selection of antique, hand-crafted Chinese jadeite jade buttons Jade An ornamental stone, jade is a name applied to two different silicate minerals. ...

The badge for the first, third, fourth, fifth and sixth classes is a Maltese cross, in gilt (1st, 3rd and 4th classes), gilt and silver (5th class) and silver (6th class), with white enamelled rays (representing the sword). The central disc is blue, bearing an eight-pointed silver star (representing the mirror), surrounded by a wreath with red-enamelled dots (representing the jewel). The badge is suspended on a ribbon in light blue with a yellow stripe near the border, worn as a sash on the right shoulder by the 1st class, as a necklet by males of the 3rd class, on the left chest (the ribbon folded into a triangle) by the 4th to 6th classes (with a rosette for the 4th class). For ladies of the 3rd to 6th classes, the ribbon is in the form of a bow worn on the left shoulder (with a rosette for the 4th class). Maltese Cross The Maltese cross is identified as the symbol of the Christian warrior. ... A gilt is any of the following: A thin covering of gold. ... Rosettes are small, circular devices that are presented with a medal. ... Rosettes are small, circular devices that are presented with a medal. ...

The star for the first and second classes is similar to the badge as described above, but effectively with two sets of Maltese cross, one in gilt and one placed diagonally in silver. It is worn on the left chest by the 1st class, on the right chest (without any other insignia) by the 2nd class. A gilt is any of the following: A thin covering of gold. ...

The badge of the seventh and eighth classes is an eight-pointed silver medal, partially gilded for the 7th class, with representations of just the mirror and the jewel. The badge is suspended on a ribbon, again in light blue with a yellow stripe near the border, worn by men on the left chest (the ribbon folded into a triangle). For ladies, the ribbon is in the form of a bow worn on the left shoulder. Gilding is the art of spreading gold, either by mechanical or by chemical means, over the surface of a body for the purpose of ornament. ...

The order after the 2003 reform

In 2003 the lowest two classes of the Order were abolished. Moreover, the badges of the Order will from now on be suspended from three white-enamelled paulownia leaves (not chrysanthemum leaves as the Decoration Bureau page claims). 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Species Between 6-17 species, including: Paulownia catalpifolia Paulownia elongata Paulownia fargesii Paulownia fortunei Paulownia kawakamii Paulownia taiwaniana Paulownia tomentosa Paulownia is a genus of between 6-17 species (depending on taxonomic authority) of plants in the monogeneric family Paulowniaceae, related to and sometimes included in the Scrophulariaceae. ... Species Chrysanthemum aphrodite Chrysanthemum arcticum Chrysanthemum argyrophyllum Chrysanthemum arisanense Chrysanthemum boreale Chrysanthemum chalchingolicum Chrysanthemum chanetii Chrysanthemum coronarium Chrysanthemum crassum Chrysanthemum glabriusculum Chrysanthemum hypargyrum Chrysanthemum indicum Chrysanthemum japonense Chrysanthemum japonicum Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium Chrysanthemum mawii Chrysanthemum maximowiczii Chrysanthemum mongolicum Chrysanthemum morii Chrysanthemum okiense Chrysanthemum oreastrum Chrysanthemum ornatum Chrysanthemum pacificum Chrysanthemum potentilloides Chrysanthemum...

See also

• Order of the Chrysanthemum
• Order of the Rising Sun
• Order of the Precious Crown
• Order of the Golden Kite
• Order of Culture
• Medals of Honor (Japan)

The Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum (大勳位菊花章, literally Grand Order of the Badge of the Chrysanthemums) 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 in 1875 by Emperor Meiji of Japan. ... The Order of the Precious Crown (宝冠章) is a Japanese Order (decoration), established on January 4, 1888 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 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. ...

Known recipients

• 1st grade: James McNaughton Hester, Akio Morita
• 2nd grade: Hugh Patrick, W. Edwards Deming, RADM William H. Rogers USN, Herbert W. Armstrong
• 3rd grade: Arthur Young (policeman)
• 4th grade: R. H. Blyth, Dr. Sachio Ashida, Michael T. Kikuoka
• 5th grade: Ayako Nukaga, Chiune Sugihara, Thomasine Allen
• Unknown grade: Frank Brinkley, Dan Hays, Toyohiko Kagawa, Merriman Colbert Harris, Thomas Noguchi, Otsuma Kotaka, Kokichi Mikimoto, Tadahiro Sekimoto, Herbert Cyril Thacker, Charles Egbert Tuttle, Ifukube Akira

Dr. Hester was born 19 April 1924, in Chester, Pennsylvania, and spent his boyhood at various stations to which his father, a United States Navy Chaplain, was assigned, including Hawaii and Samoa. ... Akio Morita (盛田昭夫 Morita Akio, January 26, 1921 in Nagoya, Japan - October 3, 1999 in Tokyo) was a co-founder of Sony Corporation. ... William Edwards Deming (October 14, 1900 - December 20, 1993) was an American statistician, college professor, author, and lecturer widely credited with improving production in the United States during World War II. However, Deming is perhaps best known for his work in Japan; where from 1950 onward he taught top management... Herbert W. Armstrong (July 31, 1892 – January 16, 1986) was the founder of the Worldwide Church of God. ... Colonel Sir Arthur Edwin Young, KBE, CMG, CVO, KPM (born 1907) was the Commissioner of the City of London Police from 1950 to 1971. ... Reginald Horace Blyth (December 3, 1898 - October 28, 1964), English devotee of Japanese culture. ... a Japanese stamp honoring Sugihara Chiune Sugihara (杉原千畝 Sugihara Chiune, January 1, 1900 – July 31, 1986) was a Japanese diplomat who saved Jews during the World War II when he was a Japanese consul to Lithuania. ... Hon. ... Toyohiko Kagawa (賀川豊彦 Kagawa Toyohiko, 10 July 1888–23 April 1960) was a Japanese pacifist, Christian reformer, and labour activist. ... Thomas Noguchi, born in 1926 in Japan, was a Californian coroner who has determined the cause of death in many high profile cases. ... Kokichi Mikimoto (御木本 幸吉 Mikimoto Kōkichi, March 10, 1858 – September 21, 1954) is the Japanese inventor of the cultured pearl. ... Charles Egbert Tuttle (1915 - 1993) was a U.S. publisher. ... Akira Ifukube (伊福部 昭) (born 31 May 1914) is a Japanese composer of classical music and film scores, perhaps best known for his work on the soundtracks of the Godzilla movies. ...

References

• Orders and Medals of Japan and Associated States (3rd Ed.), James W. Peterson, Barry C. Weaver and Michael A. Quigley.

External link

• Decoration Bureau page