Imperial Regalia of Japan

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The Imperial Regalia of Japan (三種の神器 Sanshu no Jingi?), also known as the Three Sacred Treasures, consist of the sword, Kusanagi (草薙劍), the jewel or necklace of jewels, Yasakani no magatama (八尺瓊曲玉), and the mirror Yata no kagami (八咫鏡). Also known as the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan, the regalia represent the three primary virtues: valor (the sword), wisdom (the mirror), and benevolence (the jewel). These may be connected with Buddhist thought.

Due to the legendary status of these items, their locations are not confirmed, but it is commonly thought that the sword is located at Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya, the jewel is located at Kokyo (the Imperial Palace) in Tokyo and the mirror is located in the Grand Shrine of Ise in Mie prefecture.[1] One or more of these may not be the originals.

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[edit] Tradition

Since 690, the presentation of these items to the Emperor by the priests at the shrine are a central part of the imperial enthronement ceremony. This ceremony is not public, and these items are by tradition only seen by the emperor and certain priests. Because of this, no known photographs or drawings exist. Two of the three treasures (the jewel and sword, including the emperor's and the state seal) were last seen during the accession and enthronement of Emperor Akihito in 1989, but were shrouded in packages.

According to legend, these artifacts were brought by Ninigi-no-Mikoto, legendary ancestor of the Japanese imperial line, when his grandmother, the Sun Goddess Amaterasu, sent him to pacify Japan. The origin of the items remain a question today. There is speculation that they are from Bronze Age China or Korean peninsula, which were among the first countries to reach Japan, where bronze was still unknown, near the threshold from prehistory to history. Traditionally, they were a symbol of the emperor's divinity as a descendant of Amaterasu, from which he derived legitimacy as paramount ruler of Japan.

According to legend, when Amaterasu hid in a cave from her brother Susanoo, thus plunging the world in darkness, the goddess Ame-no-Uzume hung the mirror and jewels outside the cave and lured her out of the cave, at which point she saw her own reflection and was startled enough that the gods could pull her out of the cave. Susanoo later presented in apology to Amaterasu the sword, Kusanagi, which he had obtained from the body of an eight-headed serpent, Orochi.

During the Northern and Southern dynasties period in the 14th century, the possession by the Southern Dynasty of the imperial regalia has led modern chroniclers to define that as the legitimate dynasty for purposes of reign names and genealogy.

In the PBS documentary "Victory in the Pacific" (2005), broadcast in the "American Experience" series, the historian Donald Miller reports that in the days after the Potsdam Declaration on July 26, 1945, Emperor Showa was more concerned with moving the mirror, sword, and jewel to a secure location than he was with "the destruction of his country." This comment is based on the declarations made by Hirohito to Koichi Kido on 25 and 31 July 1945, when he ordered the keeper of the privy seal to protect "at all cost" the imperial regalia.[2]

[edit] In popular culture

As ancient artifacts closely associated with great magical powers, the Regalia often appear in popular culture, including many Japanese video games, movies, and television series.

  • In the anime series Sailor Moon, the Pure Heart Crystals of Sailors Uranus, Neptune and Pluto become the sword, mirror, and orb respectively.
  • In the anime series YuYu Hakusho, the three items that Hiei, Kurama, and Gouki steal in their first appearances are the sword, mirror, and orb respectively.
  • In the video game Tales of Symphonia, each successive defeat of a Sword Dancer is awarded with the Yata Mirror, Yasakani Jewel, and Kusanagi Blade.
  • In the Naruto series, Sasuke wields the Kusanagi Blade, and Itachi Uchiha has a powerful summon called Susanoo that uses the Yata Mirror as a shield.
  • In the King of Fighters series of fighting games, the Imperial Regalia form the crux of the plot: three of the characters represent (and are the last of their bloodlines to protect) each of the respective Sacred Treasures, whose powers were once used sealed the Orochi; many of the installments concern the Orochi's attempts to break free. In addition to the default team lineups, some of the games have a hidden "Three Sacred Treasures" team formed by choosing the characters that represent the treasures.
  • In the Playstation game Legend of Dragoon, as part of the main story arch, the player is required to collect three items: The Moon Dagger, Moon Mirror, and Moon Gem.
  • In the Playstation 2/Wii game Okami, the main character Amaterasu uses a sword, jewel necklace and mirror as weapons.
  • In the Yu-Gi-Oh! Official Card Game, there are three cards based on the Imperial Regalia: Kusanagi no Tsurugi, Yasaka no Magatama, and Yata no Kagami.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ A replica of the mirror (Yata no kagami) is also said to be in the Kashikodokoro, one of the Three Palace Sanctuaries
  2. ^ Kido Koichi nikii, Tokyo, Daigaku Shuppankai, 1966, pp.1120-21
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