The
Order of the Sacred Treasure (Zuihosho) is awarded generally
for long and meritorious service both to Japanese and foreigners. From 1919 it can be
awarded to women too, in a bow ribbon. It ranks lower in the three main Japanese orders.
The order represents two of the imperial
treasures: the Yata Mirror and the Yasakani Jewels. It is said that the mirror is so
sacred that even the Emperor cannot look to it, representing purity and wisdom. The Jewels
symbolize benevolence, obedience and affection.
The
mirror is in bright polished silver over a blue enameled surface encircled by a
raised double ring. These piece is encircled by the jewels (in red paste), who are united
by red lines. This set is mounted on a white cross with four sets of rays enameled in
white. Reverse is plain with the four characters "order of the merit decoration"
engraved at the center. Sometimes a mintmark can be found on the lower arm. The metal used
in the construction is silver. Ribbon is 37 mm. (pale blue, but in older specimens the
color is sligthly different, more greyish) wide with two 4 mm orange stripes at 3 mm. of
the edges. Ribbon in 4th-8th class is triangular. |
The
breast star (2nd and 3rd classes) is convexed. The images of 2nd class
Breast Star in this page are supplied by courtesy of Yuri Yashnev.
The 4th class is distinguished of the 5th by having a 22 mm. rosette. 1st-5th classes are made of goldplated
silver, while 6th is made in polished non-goldplated silver. These awards are
made at less in two pieces. On the reverse we can see a small rivet head on each arm of
the cross.
7th and 8th classes have no enamel, the former is goldplated, the latter entirely in
silver. These lower awards are made in a single piece (obviously, there are no rivet heads
on the reverse). The mirror is raised on a oxidized or grained surface.
There
are many coinage and varieties of this order. Older badges are lighter, have a
larger mirror and shorter lines than the more modern. Sizes can vary sligthly from the
officially stated.
Repro alert: this order has been faked
too from early times. Copies were made in France by Chobillon before WWI. They can't
deceive a collector if compared with an original item, having obvious design faults.
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