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. It is the second most prestigious Japanese decoration after the Order of the Chrysanthemum (Kikka sho). Originally it had eight classes, but on January 4, 1888 a special class, known as the Order of the Rising Sun with Paulownia Blossoms, Grand Cordon, was added.

Until 2003 the order was reserved for males (women could be awarded the Order of the Precious Crown instead), and may be awarded for both civil and military merit. Unlike its European counterparts, the order may be conferred posthumously.

The order consisted of nine classes, each with a distinctive name:

• 1st Class, Order of the Rising Sun with Paulownia Blossoms, Grand Cordon;
• 1st Class, Order of the Rising Sun, Grand Cordon;
• 2nd Class, Order of the Rising Sun, Double Rays;
• 3rd Class, Order of the Rising Sun, Medium Ribbon;
• 4th Class, Order of the Rising Sun, Small Ribbon;
• 5th Class, Order of the Rising Sun, Twin Rays;
• 6th Class, Order of the Rising Sun, Single Ray;
• 7th Class, Green Paulownia Leaves Medal;
• 8th Class, White Paulownia Leaves Medal.

The badge for the Order of the Rising Sun with Paulownia Blossoms, Grand Cordon is a golden cross with white enamelled rays, bearing a central emblem of a red enamelled sun disc surrounded by red rays, and with three paulownia blossoms between each arm of the cross. It is suspended from three enamelled paulownia leaves on a sash in red with white border stripes, and is worn on the right shoulder.

The star for the Order of the Rising Sun with Paulownia Blossoms, Grand Cordon is the same as the badge, but without the paulownia leaves suspension. It is worn on the left chest.

The badge for the First to Sixth Classes is an eight-pointed badge, in gold (1st-4th Classes), gold and silver (5th Class), or silver (6th Class), with white enamelled rays, bearing a central red enamelled sun disc. It is suspended from three enamelled paulownia leaves on a ribbon in white with red border stripes, worn as a sash on the right shoulder for the 1st Class, around the neck for the 2nd and 3rd Classes, on the left chest for the 4th to 6th Classes (with a rosette for the 4th Class).

The star for the First and Second Classes is an eight-pointed silver badge, bearing a central emblem identical to the 4th Class badge without the paulownia leaves suspension. It is worn on the left chest for the 1st Class, on the right chest for the 2nd Class.

The badge for the Seventh and Eighth Classes consists of just a silver medal in the shape of three paulownia leaves, enamelled for the 7th Class and plain for the 8th Class. It is suspended on a ribbon, again in white with red border stripes, worn on the left chest.

The order after the 2003 reform

In 2003 the lowest two classes of the order were abolished, and the Order of the Rising Sun with Paulownia Blossoms, Grand Cordon became an independent order known as the Order of the Paulownia Blossoms, Grand Cordon. Furthermore, these orders became available to women.

See also

• Order of the Chrysanthemum
• Order of the Precious Crown
• Order of the Golden Kite
• Order of the Sacred Treasures
• Order of Culture

External Links

• Kyokujitsu (in Japanese)
• Japanese honours
• Orden (in German)