Benkan

Last updated • 16 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

Benkan of Emperor Komei Benkan Komei Tenno.jpg
Benkan of Emperor Kōmei

The benkan (冕冠, lit. 'crown') is a type of crown traditionally worn by Japanese emperors and crown princes. It is also called tama no kōburi (玉乃冠, lit. 'jeweled crown'). [1]

Contents

In ancient Japan, emperors and nobles wore metal crowns made of gold, silver, and gilt bronze influenced by the Korean peninsula. In the 8th century, emperors and crown princes began to wear benkan with chains attached to the metal crown, influenced by the Chinese mianguan . [2] In addition, a sun-shaped ornament was added to the top of the benkan, giving birth to a uniquely Japanese crown.

Since then, the benkan was worn along with a ceremonial dress called kon'e for accession and chōga (朝賀, New Year's greetings) ceremonies, but it was last worn for the accession ceremony of Emperor Kōmei (1831–1867) in 1847, and has not been worn since. [3]

In addition to benkan for the emperor, there is hōkan (宝冠, lit. 'precious crown') for the female emperor and nikkeikan (日形冠, lit.'crown in the shape of the sun') for the infant emperor, each of which has a distinctive shape.

The benkan, hōkan, and nikkeikan crowns made in the Edo period (1603–1867) each have survived, but as imperial treasures (御物), these are not usually shown to the public. However, they are occasionally shown to the public to commemorate accession ceremonies. [4]

Origin

Gilt bronze crown excavated from Fujinoki tomb, late 6th century (reconstruction). Fujinoki Kondo-sei Kan.jpg
Gilt bronze crown excavated from Fujinoki tomb, late 6th century (reconstruction).

In ancient Japan, it was customary to place flowers, branches, and leaves of plants and trees as hair ornaments or to wrap them around the head. These hair ornaments were called uzu (髻華) or kazura (). [5]

In the Kofun period (Mid 3rd century-7th century), influenced by the Korean peninsula, emperors and nobles began to wear metal crowns of gold, silver, or gilt bronze decorated with botanical patterns. Metal crowns have been excavated from kofun (tumuli) throughout Japan, including the Eta Funayama and Fujinoki kofun tombs.

In 603, Empress Suiko (592-628) instituted the Twelve Level Cap and Rank System, which prescribed the types of caps to be worn by vassals in accordance with their rank. In a description of Japan in the Book of Sui (636), it is written, "In the Sui Dynasty, that (Japanese) king created the system of crowns for the first time. The crowns were made of brocade or patterned cloth, and were further adorned with gold or silver floral ornaments." [6] [lower-alpha 1]

According to the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan, 720), these hair ornaments, also called uzu, were attached to caps on New Year's Day and special occasions, and depending on rank, uzu were made of gold, leopard tails, or bird tails. [7] [8]

In the Chinese history book, The Old Book of Tang (945), there is a description of the crown of Awata no Mahito, an envoy from Japan who had an audience with Empress Wu Zetian of the Zhou dynasty (690–705) in 703. According to the description, he was wearing a crown similar to the Chinese jìndéguān (進徳冠, crown of the crown prince), with a floral ornament at the top. [9] [lower-alpha 2] Therefore, crowns with floral decorations were used in Japan in the early 8th century.

Mianguan of Wanli Emperor of Ming Dynasty. Chinese Imperial Mian, Dingling.jpg
Mianguan of Wanli Emperor of Ming Dynasty.

The history book Shoku Nihongi (797) states, "On January 1, in the 4th year of Tenpyō, Emperor Shōmu in the Daigokuden Hall of the Imperial Palace to receive New Year's greetings from the various vassals. At this time, the Emperor put on the benpuku (冕服, lit. 'the emperor's crown and robes') for the first time." [2] Therefore, It is believed that Japanese emperors began to officially wear the benkan in 732.

Emperor Shōmu's benkan survives in damaged condition. It consists of gold, silver, gilt, jewelry, and glass beads. Its shape is estimated to have been similar to that of Emperor Kōmei's benkan of the Edo period (1603–1867), an ancient metal crown topped with a Chinese mianguan-like board with chains of pearls hanging from it, and a unique sun ornament.

Terminology

Portrait of Emperor Shomu, 13th century. The crown depicted is not a benkan, but a typical suiei-kan (Chui Ying Guan 
) of the 13th century. Emperor Shomu.jpg
Portrait of Emperor Shōmu, 13th century. The crown depicted is not a benkan, but a typical suiei-kan (垂纓冠) of the 13th century.

Both the ben () and kan () in benkan (冕冠) are Chinese characters meaning 'crown'. 'Ben' refers to a ceremonial headdress, specifically worn during important rituals, while 'kan' refers to the general concept of a crown. In China, however, benkan means the highest ceremonial crown worn by officials of the rank of dàifu (大夫) or higher, while in Japan it refers to a crown with chains, worn exclusively by the emperor and the crown prince.

Emperor Shōmu wore the benkan for the first time in 732 in Japan. However, a document dated 793 in the Shōsōin, where Emperor Shōmu's benkan was kept, says on-kanmuri (御冠), not benkan. [10] The kanji for on () is a prefix added to nouns to express politeness and it does not carry meaning on its own. Kanmuri () is kunyomi (Japanese reading) of the same Chinese character as kan () in benkan, meaning crown. Therefore, the meaning of on-kanmuri is simply a crown.

There were paintings of Emperor Shōmu's benkan and Emperor Kanmu's benkan for the crown prince when he was the crown prince, drawn in the Nara period (710-794), which were handed down to the Kamakura period (1185-1333). The names of those paintings used raikan (礼冠, lit. 'ceremonial crown'). Therefore, it is possible that the term benkan had not yet been used during the Nara period. [11]

Types

Minamoto no Takaakira's court ritual book, Saikyū-ki (10th century), describes four types of crowns: the benkan for the emperor, the hōkan for the female emperor, the nikkeikan for the infant emperor, and the kyū shō benkan (九章冕冠, lit. 'benkan with nine symbols') for the crown prince. [12]

The reason that the crowns for the female and infant emperors are not called benkan is thought to be that they did not have chains. At that time in Japan, crowns with chains were understood to be benkan.

Structure and design

Structural diagram of benkan Benkan diagram.jpg
Structural diagram of benkan

The structure of the benkan during the Edo period (1603–1867) is as follows:

  1. Sun and three-legged crow (日形と三足烏): The sun is surrounded by rays of light. In the post-medieval benkan, a three-legged crow ( yatagarasu ) is inscribed within the sun.
  2. Zuiun (瑞雲, auspicious clouds): Symbolic clouds representing good fortune.
  3. Kaen Hōju (火焔宝珠, flaming sacred gem): A flame-shaped ornament surrounding a crystal.
  4. Benban (冕板, lit. 'benkan board'): A square metal frame covered with thin black silk.
  5. Tatetama (立玉, lit. 'standing gem'): An ornament with a standing stem, petals attached to the end, and inlaid with a gem.
  6. Koji (巾子): A black silk cap used to hold the topknot in place.
  7. Ryū (, chain): The decorative chains hanging from the crown.
  8. Oshikazura (押鬘): An openwork metal crown with floral and arabesque designs. The word oshikazura is thought to derive from the ancient word kazura (), which refers to hair ornaments made from living plants.
  9. Ei (, chinstraps): Straps used to secure the crown under the chin.

Emperor's crown

Emperor Komei's kon'e, 19th century. Kone.jpg
Emperor Kōmei's kon'e, 19th century.

In Japan, the emperor's benkan was once worn along with the kon'e (emperor's dress) during accession and chōga (New Year's greetings) ceremonies.

The Chinese-Japanese dictionary Wamyō Ruijushō , vol. 12 (established in the first half of the 10th century), explains that the Chinese mianguan is called tama no kōburi (玉乃冠, lit. 'jeweled crown') in Japanese, and is characterized by chains called ryū (, lit. 'chain') hanging from the front and back of the crown. [13] Therefore, it can be seen that the benkan was considered at the time as a crown with chains.

The benkan worn by Japanese emperors is sometimes referred to as a "Tang-style crown", but it is actually very different from the mianguan worn in China. The benkan worn by the emperor in the Edo period consisted of a metal frame placed on top of an openwork gilt-bronze base called the oshikazura (押鬘), with forty-eight jeweled chains hanging from the edge of the frame, twelve on each side. [14] [15]

Another significant difference from the Chinese mianguan was the sun-shaped ornament mounted on a benban (square board) at the top of the crown. This ornament is believed to have already been present on the benkan of Emperor Shōmu, and by the Heian period (794-1185) and later, the benkan also featured a depiction of the three-legged crow ( yatagarasu ) on it.

It is thought that this was done in recognition of the belief that the emperor was a descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu, and that he was the "emperor of the land of the rising sun" ( Book of Sui ). [14]

The openwork metal crown with floral and arabesque patterns surrounding the cap is another feature not found on Chinese mianguan. Thus, the Japanese benkan is not merely an imitation of the Chinese crown, but rather a combination of both the tradition of metal crowns that has continued in Japan since the Kofun period and the distinctive characteristics of the Chinese mianguan. [14]

In the Kojidan (Reflections on Ancient Matters, 1212-1215), it is said that "the crown at the time of the Daijosai is that of Emperor Ōjin", and that the crown of Emperor Ōjin was used at the Daijosai until the Heian and Kamakura periods. [16] However, there is some dispute as to whether Emperor Ōjin's crown was actually a benkan. Dohi Tsunehira (1707-1782), a scholar of court rituals, proposed the theory that it was not a benkan, but rather a tamakazura (玉鬘), an ancient necklace. [17]

Nara period

The damaged benkan of Emperor Shomu. The sun ornament can be seen in the upper left of the photo. Onkanmuri zanketsu1.jpg
The damaged benkan of Emperor Shōmu. The sun ornament can be seen in the upper left of the photo.

Among the Shōsōin treasures, there is a benkan worn by Emperor Shōmu that has been damaged and is called Onkamuri Zanketsu (御冠残欠, lit. 'remnants of the crown'). The crown no longer retains its original form. However, metal openwork pieces featuring phoenix, cloud, and arabesque patterns remain, along with pearls, coral, and glass beads threaded through the structure. [18]

In 1242, Emperor Shōmu's benkan was brought to Kyoto from Shōsōin along with Empress Kōken's (reigned 749-758) benkan and Empress Kōmyō's (701-756) crown for reference in renewing Emperor Go-Saga's benkan. However, an accident occurred during the return journey, and these crowns were damaged. Therefore, it has been pointed out that the remnants of Emperor Shōmu's benkan may have been mixed with parts of Empress Kōken's benkan and Empress Kōmyō's crown.

Heian period

Raikan worn by vassals (18th century) with kushigata (halo-like ornament) at the rear. Raikan3.jpg
Raikan worn by vassals (18th century) with kushigata (halo-like ornament) at the rear.

In the Heian period (794-1185), the benkan of Emperor Seiwa (reigned 858-876) was newly created. Minaoto no Morofusa's diary, Doyūki (土右記, 11th century), describes the characteristics of the benkan. [19]

According to the description, there is an inner crown (cap) made of thin black silk called koji (巾子), and kushigata (櫛形) are placed in front and behind it. The kushigata is interpreted as an ornament consisting of a gold frame with a thin silk covering inside. [20] The raikan worn by vassals has kushigata at the rear, while the emperor's benkan also has kushigata at the front. Surrounding the inner crown is an outer gold crown called oshikazura (押鬘); above the koji is a square board consisting of a gold frame with a thin silk covering inside, with 12 jeweled chains each in front and behind it. Stems with jewels adorning their tips are arranged in rows, extending from the four sides of the square board. At the top of the crown is an ornament in the shape of a sun, consisting of two pieces of crystal (likely hemispherical), within which is a three-legged red crow. Around the sun are rays of light. [19]

The benkan of Emperor Seiwa and that of the later Emperor Kōmei are generally the same, but the kushigata is absent from Emperor Kōmei's benkan. In the case of Emperor Seiwa's benkan, the chains are interpreted as hanging from the front and back of the benban (square board), but in Emperor Komei's benkan, they hang from all four sides of the square board. Also, in Emperor Komei's benkan, the three-legged crow in the sun is not made of crystal, but is carved on a plate of the sun.

Kamakura period

Emperor Seiwa's benkan was used in the accession ceremonies of later emperors, but during preparations for the accession ceremony of Emperor Go-Saga (reigned 1242-1246), it was found to be severely damaged. [21] Therefore, as mentioned above, the crowns of Emperor Shōmu, Empress Kōken, and Empress Kōmyō were ordered from the Shōsōin Repository in Nara, and a new benkan was made with reference to them.

A painting depicting Emperor Shōmu's benkan had been handed down in the imperial palace at that time, and according to Emperor Go-Fukakusa (reigned 1246-1260), who saw the painting, there was no particular difference between Emperor Shōmu's benkan and Emperor Go-Saga's benkan, which was newly crafted (Diary of Emperor Go-Fukakusa). [11]

Muromachi period

The painting Silken Painting of Emperor Go-Daigo prominently displays the benkan of Emperor Go-Daigo, which is said to be the crown of Emperor Jimmu. [22] However, this is contrary to the statement in the Shoku Nihongi that the benkan begins with Emperor Shōmu.

This portrait depicts Emperor Go-Daigo undergoing the Abhisheka (灌頂, kanjō) ceremony of the Shingon Buddhism in 1330, and is said to have been completed on October 23, 1339, after his death. There are two theories as to when the work started: during Emperor Go-Daigo's lifetime or after his death.

The depicted benkan consists of a benban board on top of a regular kanmuri, with an additional sun-shaped ornament on top of the board. Chains are also depicted hanging from each end of the board. The kushigata and oshikazura are not depicted, and do not match the characteristics of the benkan described in the Doyū-ki.

There are theories that this form of benkan over kanmuri is a non-photorealistic "pictorial expression," [23] or that it is an unrealistic and impossible way of wearing the crown, referring to the statue of Prince Shōtoku and aiming to portray Emperor Go-Daigo as sanctified. [24]

On the other hand, according to the Book of Jin , during the Jin dynasty (266–420) in China, there was a removable mianguan called píngmiǎn (平冕, lit. 'flat mianguan'), in which the mianguan was placed on top of the tongtianguan . [25] In Japan, there is a theory that Empress Kōken's benkan in the Shōsōin Repository may have been a removable form. [26]

According to the diary of Nijō Michihira, when the imperial treasury was destroyed by fire in 1333, the emperor's imperial clothes, which were supposed to belong to Emperor Jinmu, were also destroyed by fire, and it is believed that the benkan was among them. [27] Therefore, aside from the veracity of the tradition, it is believed that Emperor Go-Daigo actually wore Emperor Jinmu's benkan. [27]

Edo period

Emperor Reigen wearing the benkan. Ling Yuan Tian Huang Ji Wei Hou Xi Tian Huang Rang Wei Tu Ping Feng .jpg
Emperor Reigen wearing the benkan.

The medieval benkan is thought to have been destroyed by fire during the Kyoto Imperial Palace fire of 1653, and a new benkan was made. In the "Enthronement of Emperor Reigen and Abdication of Emperor Go-Sai" (17th century), Emperor Reigen (reigned 1663-1687) is depicted wearing a benkan and a red kon'e, while seated in a takamikura (throne). It is unusual for the face of an emperor to be depicted directly on a folding screen of an accession painting.

Since Empress Go-Sakuramachi (reigned 1762-1771) was the first female emperor since Empress Meishō (reigned 1629-1643), the shape of the hōkan for female emperors was no longer known because Empress Meishō's hōkan had been destroyed by fire. Therefore, a new crown was made based on the crown of Tokugawa Masako (1607-1678), the empress of Emperor Go-Mizunoo, with the addition of a sun-shaped ornament. [28]

The two benkan worn by Emperor Ninkō and Emperor Kōmei during their coronation ceremonies are each preserved in the Higashiyama Gobunko (Imperial Archive) at the Kyoto Imperial Palace. [29]

The benkan was used until the coronation of Emperor Kōmei, [30] but since the reign of Emperor Meiji, the benkan has been replaced by the Go Ryūei no Kanmuri (御立纓の冠) as the government reformed the coronation ceremony to emphasize Shinto traditions over Chinese influences. [31]

Empress' crown (hōkan)

Empress Go-Sakuramachi's hokan Hokan Go-Sakuramachi.jpg
Empress Go-Sakuramachi's hōkan

The crown of a female emperor (empress) is called a hōkan (宝冠). The Doyūki diary describes a viewing of a hōkan kept in the royal treasury in 1036.

According to the description, the hōkan had a low koji height, an oshikazura (openwork gold crown), and three branches extending from it, each with a floral ornament at its tip. There was no kushigata, however, as in the benkan of male emperors. There is a small statue of a phoenix on the top of the crown, but it is slightly to the left, suggesting that a phoenix on the right may have been lost. [19]

The low height of the koji is thought to be due to the fact that women did not wear topknots like men. Also, the crown does not have the chains of the benkan, which may explain why it was not called a benkan.

The hōkan is thought to have been worn by Empress Kōken, but some have questioned whether it was intended for an empress (the emperor's wife) rather than for a female emperor. [32]

As mentioned above, Empress Meishō's hōkan was lost in a fire during the Edo period (1603–1867), but Empress Go-Sakuramachi's hōkan is still extant and kept in the Higashiyama Gobunko (Imperial Library) of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, but is not open to the public.

Empress Go-Sakuramachi's hōkan also does not have a benban and chains hanging from it. However, a total of three chains hang from the phoenix's beak and from either side of the crown. The difference from the hōkan described in the Doyūki is the absence of the koji itself, and instead there is the addition of a sun-shaped ornament, as in the benkan.

The Order of the Precious Crown, established in 1888 (the 21st year of the Meiji) to be awarded to women, is a reference to this, and the center of the insignia is decorated with the image of a precious hokan. [33]

Nikkeikan (Infant Emperor)

Emperor Nakamikado's nikkeikan, 1710. Imperial Crown of Emperor Nakamikado.jpg
Emperor Nakamikado's nikkeikan, 1710.

The crown of an infant emperor is called nikkeikan (日形冠, lit.'crown in the shape of the sun'), which is distinguished from benkan. In the Saikyū-ki, there is a description that "the infant emperor wears a nikkeikan." [12]

In the Doyū-ki, there is a description of the characteristics of the nikkeikan for the infant emperor. [19] According to the description, the lower part of the nikkeikan is the same as that of the benkan, but the infant does not yet wear a topknot, so it does not have a koji. The top of the crown is decorated with a sun-shaped ornament. The metal crown part of the crown is decorated with gold and precious stones; the crown has no chain, and a phoenix with open wings stands at the front part of the crown.

The nikkeikan used by Emperor Nakamikado (reigned 1709–1735) and Emperor Kōkaku (reigned 1779–1817) at their respective accession ceremonies are held as imperial treasures in the Higashiyama Gobunko of the Kyoto Imperial Palace. The shape of the crown is almost the same as that of the treasure crown, with a phoenix and sun decoration on the top.

Benkan of the Crown Prince

In the Saikyū-ki, the benkan of the Crown Prince is described as kyū shō benkan (九章冕冠). [12] The word kyū shō (九章, lit. 'nine symbols') represents nine chains (九旒). There were nine chains hanging from each side of the square board above the crown.

In the Heian period (794-1185), a picture of a crown worn by the crown prince has been preserved in the Imperial Palace. [34] This picture is said to depict the raikan (benkan) of Prince Yamabe (later Emperor Kanmu), who became Crown Prince in 773. The crown depicted in the painting is said to be almost the same as the Emperor's benkan, but slightly different. The number of chains on each side of the crown is estimated to have been nine, as opposed to the twelve on the emperor's benkan.

See also

Notes

Explanatory notes

  1. The original text is "至隋,其王始制冠,以錦綵為之,以金銀鏤花為飾。".
  2. The original text is "冠進德冠,其頂爲花." The jìndéguān was a crown for the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty established in 634, and was also given to vassals who had distinguished themselves.

Citations

  1. Minamoto no Shitagō (1617). 和名類聚抄 [Wamyō Ruijushō] (in Japanese). Vol. 20. Nawa Dō'en. p. 38. doi: 10.11501/2544221 .
  2. 1 2 佐伯, 有義 (1929). Saeki, Ariyoshi (ed.). 六国史 [Rikkokushi] (in Japanese). Vol. 3. The Asahi Shimbun. p. 236. doi: 10.11501/1919014 .
  3. Takeda & Tsuda 2016, p. 330.
  4. "御即位記念 特別展 皇室の名宝" [Enthronement Commemorative Special Exhibition: Treasures of the Imperial Household] (in Japanese). Kyoto National Museum. 2020. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  5. Masuda, Yoshiko (November 1988). "古代における装いの意味 頭装具について" [The Meaning of Dress in Antiquity: On Headgear]. Clothing Life (in Japanese). 31 (6). The Society for Clothing Life: 29–33.
  6. 隋書  [Book of Sui] (in Chinese) via Wikisource.
  7. Article of May 5, 19th year of Empress Suiko's reign in Nihon shoki.
  8. Prince Toneri. "卷第廿二"  [22]. 日本書紀  [Chronicles of Japan] (in Chinese) via Wikisource.
  9. "卷199上"  . 舊唐書  [Old Book of Tang] (in Chinese) via Wikisource.
  10. Yoneda, Yusuke (March 1995). "礼服御冠残欠について―礼服御覧との関連において―" [On the Remains of the Dress and Crown: In Relation to the Viewing of the Dress]. Shōsōin Annual Report (in Japanese). 17. Shōsōin Office, Imperial Household Agency: 44–72.
  11. 1 2 列聖全集編纂会 編 (1917). The Complete Works of the Emperors (ed.). 列聖全集 宸記集 [The Complete Works of the Emperors: Shinki-shū] (in Japanese). Vol. 1. The Complete Works of the Emperors. pp. 293–294. doi:10.11501/1914777.
  12. 1 2 3 近藤, 瓶城 (1932). Kondo, Heijo (ed.). 史籍集覧 編外 (西宮記) [Additional volume of the Historic Collection: Saikyū-ki]. 3 (in Japanese). Kondo Publishing Division. p. 499. doi:10.11501/1071721.
  13. Minamoto no, Shitagō (1617). 倭名類聚抄 [Wamyō Ruijushō] (in Japanese). Vol. 20. Nawa Dō'en. doi: 10.11501/2544221 .
  14. 1 2 3 Kondo 2019, chapt. 1.
  15. "冠とは - きもの用語大全". www.so-bien.com. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  16. 源顕兼 (November 2020). 古事談. Kadokawa. ISBN   978-4-04-400557-3. OCLC   1223314021.
  17. "礼服御冠残欠について―礼服御覧との関連において―" [On the Remains of the Imperial Dress and Imperial Crown: In Relation to the Imperial Dress Viewing]. Shosoin Annual Report (in Japanese). 17. Shosoin Office, Imperial Household Agency. March 1995. Archived from the original on 2022-01-18. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  18. 1 2 3 4 竹内, 理三; 一条, 兼良; 半井, 保房; 後奈良天皇; 田中, 久夫; 源, 師房; 藤原, 通俊 (June 1967). Takeuchi, Rizo (ed.). 續史料大成 増補 [Continued Historical Compilation: Enlarged Edition] (in Japanese). Vol. 18. Rinsen Shoten. p. 256. doi:10.11501/2529857. ISBN   4-653-00464-1.
  19. Takeda & Tsuda 2016, p. 191.
  20. 笹川, 種郎; 矢野, 太郎; 平, 経高 (1935). Sasakawa, Tanero (ed.). 史料大成 [Historical Compendium] (in Japanese). Vol. 24. Naigai Shoseki. pp. 162–163. doi:10.11501/1236603.
  21. Uchida 2006, pp. 148–149.
  22. Kuroda, Hideo (2009-02-10). 王の身体 王の肖像[The Body of a King and Portrait of a King]. Chikuma Gakugei Bunko (in Japanese). Chikuma Shobo. ISBN   978-4-480-09200-7.
  23. Takeda, Sachiko (May 1991). "異形の聖徳太子" [The Variant Prince Shotoku]. Historical Review (in Japanese) (493). Historical Science Council: 23–30.
  24. "卷25"  [vol. 25]. 晉書  [Book of Jin] (in Chinese) via Wikisource.
  25. Kondo 2019, §1.
  26. 1 2 Sakaguchi, Taro (April 2014). "鎌倉後期宮廷の密教儀礼と王家重宝: 清浄光寺蔵「後醍醐天皇像」の背景" [Esoteric Buddhist Rituals and Royal Treasures of the Late Kamakura Court: Background to the "Emperor Go-Daigo Statue" from Shōjōkō-ji]. Japanese Historical Studies (620): 1–29. doi:10.11501/13007361.
  27. Takeda & Tsuda 2016, p. 327.
  28. Matsudaira 2006, p. 13.
  29. Izutsu, Gafu (1995). "天皇の御装束" [The Ceremonial Costumes of the Emperor of Japan]. Journal of the Textile Society of Japan (in Japanese). 51 (2). The Textile Society of Japan: 78–81. doi: 10.2115/fiber.51.2_P78 .
  30. Miller, Alison (2016-05-31). Mother of the Nation: Femininity, Modernity, and Class in the Image of Empress Teimei (PDF) (Thesis). University of Kansas. p. 29.
  31. Takeda & Tsuda 2016, p. 216.
  32. "Orders of the Precious Crown: Decorations and Medals in Japan - Cabinet Office Home Page". www8.cao.go.jp. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  33. 列聖全集編纂会 編 (1917). The Complete Works of the Emperors (ed.). 列聖全集 宸記集 [The Complete Works of the Emperors: Shinki-shū] (in Japanese). Vol. 1. The Complete Works of the Emperors. doi:10.11501/1914777.

General and cited reference

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fujiwara clan</span> Powerful family of regents in Japan

The Fujiwara clan was a powerful family of imperial regents in Japan, descending from the Nakatomi clan and, as legend held, through them their ancestral god Ame-no-Koyane. The Fujiwara prospered since the ancient times and dominated the imperial court until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. They held the title of Ason. The abbreviated form is Tōshi (藤氏).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emperor Go-Daigo</span> 96th emperor of Japan (r. 1318–1339)

Emperor Go-Daigo was the 96th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. He successfully overthrew the Kamakura shogunate in 1333 and established the short-lived Kenmu Restoration to bring the Imperial House back into power. This was to be the last time the emperor had real power until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. The Kenmu restoration was in turn overthrown by Ashikaga Takauji in 1336, ushering in the Ashikaga shogunate. The overthrow split the imperial family into two opposing factions between the Ashikaga backed Northern Court situated in Kyoto and the Southern Court based in Yoshino. The Southern Court was led by Go-Daigo and his later successors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crown</span> Form of headwear, symbolizing the power of a ruler

A crown is a traditional form of head adornment, or hat, worn by monarchs as a symbol of their power and dignity. A crown is often, by extension, a symbol of the monarch's government or items endorsed by it. The word itself is used, particularly in Commonwealth countries, as an abstract name for the monarchy itself as distinct from the individual who inhabits it. A specific type of crown is employed in heraldry under strict rules. Indeed, some monarchies never had a physical crown, just a heraldic representation, as in the constitutional kingdom of Belgium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Imperial crown</span> Crown used for the coronation of emperors

An imperial crown is a crown worn by an emperor. In the European cultural area, it also symbolizes the power of the empire in heraldic depictions. The craftsmanship corresponded to the king's crown, with precious stones and pearls set into the precious metal frame for decoration. Their external form differed from crowns of the same period and the same reign. The use of Christian symbols to emphasize the divine rule of the emperor is the reason for the deviation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shōsōin</span> Buddhist temple in Nara Prefecture, Japan

The Shōsō-in (正倉院) is the treasure house of Tōdai-ji Temple in Nara, Japan. The building is in the azekura (log-cabin) style with a raised floor. It lies to the northwest of the Great Buddha Hall. The Shōsō-in houses artifacts connected to Emperor Shōmu (聖武天皇)(701–756) and Empress Kōmyō (光明皇后)(701–760), as well as arts and crafts of the Tempyō (天平) era of Japanese history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Empress Kōmyō</span> Wife of Japanese Emperor Shōmu (701–756)

Empress Kōmyō (光明皇后), born Fujiwara Asukabehime, was the consort of Japanese Emperor Shōmu (701–756) during the Nara Period.

<i>Mianguan</i> Type of crown with a flat top worn in East Asia

The mianguan, also called benkan in Japan, myeonlyugwan in Korea, and Miện quan in Vietnam, is a type of crown traditionally worn by the emperors of China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, as well as other kings in the East Asia.

<i>Sokutai</i> Traditional Japanese outfit worn by those in the Japanese imperial court

The sokutai (束帯) is a traditional Japanese outfit worn only by courtiers, aristocrats and the emperor at the Japanese imperial court. The sokutai originated in the Heian period, and consists of a number of parts, including the ho, shaku (笏), a flat ritual baton or sceptre, and the kanmuri (冠), a cap-shaped black lacquered silk hat with a pennon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gwanbok</span>

Gwanbok is a Sino-Korean term derived from the terms guanfu and guanfu. The term gwanbok is a collective term which refers to historical official attire, which was bestowed by the government court, including Chinese courts of various dynasties. The guanfu (冠服) system was a court attire system in China which also formed part of the Hanfu system. This system was them spread to neighbouring countries and was adopted in Korea since ancient times in different periods through the ritual practice of bestowal of clothing. Acknowledgement through bestowed robes and crowns (冠服) from the Emperor of China, who held hegemony over East Asia, would give support to Korean Kings and successors, as being the authentic rulers of their country as well as confirmed the political status of the Korean kingdom in the rest of the Sinosphere. The gwanbok system in Korea was different for each kingdom and changed throughout different periods. For example, initially given by the Chinese court in ritual practice, successive gwanbok were more often than not locally manufactured in Korea with different colours and adopted into hanbok. The gwanbok, which was used as the uniform of court officials, formed part of the gwanbok system and was used like the suit is nowadays.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fengguan</span> Chinese historical hat

Fengguan, also known as phoenix coronet or phoenix hat, is a type of guan for women in Hanfu. It was worn mainly by noblewomen for ceremonies or official occasions. It is also traditional headgear for brides and could be worn in set of Traditional Chinese wedding dress attire, such as the fengguan xiapei.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enthronement of the Japanese emperor</span> Ceremony of the Imperial House of Japan

Enthronement is an ancient ceremony that marks the accession of a new emperor to Japan's Chrysanthemum Throne, the world's oldest continuous hereditary monarchy. Various ancient imperial regalia are given to the new sovereign during the course of the rite. It is the most important out of the Japanese Imperial Rituals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mianfu</span>

Mianfu is a kind of Chinese clothing in hanfu; it was worn by emperors, kings, and princes, and in some instances by the nobles in historical China from the Shang to the Ming dynasty. The mianfu is the highest level of formal dress worn by Chinese monarchs and the ruling families in special ceremonial events such as coronation, morning audience, ancestral rites, worship, new year's audience and other ceremonial activities. There were various forms of mianfu, and the mianfu also had its own system of attire called the mianfu system which was developed back in the Western Zhou dynasty. The mianfu was used by every dynasty from Zhou dynasty onward until the collapse of the Ming dynasty. The Twelve Ornaments were used on the traditional imperial robes in China, including on the mianfu. These Twelve Ornaments were later adopted in clothing of other ethnic groups; for examples, the Khitan and the Jurchen rulers adopted the Twelve ornaments in 946 AD and in 1140 AD respectively. The Korean kings have also adopted clothing embellished with nine out of the Twelve ornaments since 1065 AD after the Liao emperor had bestowed a nine-symbol robe to the Korean king, King Munjong, in 1043 AD where it became known as gujangbok.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nijō Ishi/Tameko</span> Japanese 13/14th century poet/royalty

Nijō Ishi/Tameko was a representative poet of the Nijō poetic school in the latter half of the Kamakura period. She was rewarded with Junior Third Rank posthumously. She was a descendant of Fujiwara no Teika, and the daughter of Nijō Tameyo, a great poet. She was the wife of Crown Prince Takaharu-shinnō.

<i>Kanmuri</i> (headwear) Type of Japanese crown

A kanmuri is a type of headwear worn by adult men of the kuge and buke in Japan. It was generally made of thin black silk hardened with lacquer, but there was also a metal crown called a raikan that was worn only during the emperor's enthronement ceremony and the chōga ceremony.

<i>Silken Painting of Emperor Go-Daigo</i> Buddhist painting of Emperor Go-Daigo

Silken Painting of Emperor Go-Daigo is a portrait and Buddhist painting of Emperor Go-Daigo from the Nanboku-chō period. The painting was supervised by the Buddhist priest and protector of Emperor Go-Daigo, Bunkanbo Koshin. After his death, Buddhābhiṣeka opened his eyes on September 20, October 23, 1339, the fourth year of Enen4/Ryakuō, during the 57th day Buddhist memorial service..Meiji 33rd year (1900), April 7, designated as Important Cultural Property. As Emperor of Japan rather than Cloistered Emperor, he was granted the highest Abhisheka of Shingon Buddhism He was united with Vajrasattva, a Bodhisattva, as a secular emperor, and became a symbol of the unification of the royal law, Buddhism, and Shintoism under the Sanja-takusen, in which the three divine symbols were written. After the end of the Civil War of the Northern and Southern Dynasties, it was transferred to the head temple of the Tokishu sect, Shōjōkō-ji, by the 12th Yūkyō Shōnin, a cousin of Go-Daigo and the founder of the Tokishu sect. During the Sengoku period, it became an object of worship for the Tokimune sect of the time, and copies were made. Because it is directly related to the theory of kingship in the Kenmu Restoration, it is important in Art history, History of religion, and Political history. It is said to show the legitimate kingship as the protector of Vajrayana succeeding his father, Emperor Go-Uda, as well as the harmonious political and religious kingship as in the reign of Prince Shōtoku.

Guan, literally translated as hat or cap or crown in English, is a general term which refers to a type of headwear in Hanfu which covers a small area of the upper part of the head instead of the entire head. The guan was typically a formal form of headwear which was worn together with its corresponding court dress attire. There were sumptuary laws which regulated the wearing of guan; however, these laws were not fixed; and thus, they would differ from dynasty to dynasty. There were various forms and types of guan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raikan</span>

The raikan is a type of crown worn by Japanese nobility. It was used until the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Kōmei in 1846.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benkan of Emperor Kōmei</span>

The Benkan of Emperor Kōmei (孝明天皇の冕冠) is an imperial crown in the benkan style worn by Emperor Kōmei of Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Imperial Crown of Empress Go-Sakuramachi</span>

The Imperial Crown of Empress Go-Sakuramachi (後桜町天皇の宝冠) is a crown in the hōkan (宝冠) style worn by Empress Go-Sakuramachi of Japan. It is designated as a Japanese Imperial Treasure (御物) and is not open to the public.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kara-tachi sword with gilded silver fittings and inlay</span> 8th century Japanese sword

The Kara-tachi sword with gilded silver fittings and inlay is an 8th century Japanese sword in the chokutō style. It was one of Emperor Shōmu's favorite swords and was handed down in the Shōsōin Repository.