@Shoji Sugita
Japanese version is here.
I, Shoji Sugita was awarded Order Decorations, " Kun 4th Kyokujitsu Shoju_sho "( The 4th Orders of the Rising Sun ) by the Emperor in the determination of the Government on April 29,1997. I was very honoured.
I will describe the outline of Orders and Medals System of our country now.
History of Orders and Decorations
- 1. Kyokujitsu_sho ( Orders of the Rising Sun ) was established at first
in our country on April, 1875 and Zuiho_sho ( Order of the Sacred Treasure
) , Hokan_sho ( Orders of the Precious Crown ) and some other ones were
established by the year, 1886.
- 2. Bunka Kunsho ( Order of Cultur ) was established in 1937.
- 3. Japanese Honor System was changed at the end of World War 2, and the conferring decorations on a living person was stopped, but on April 29 ( the Emperor Showa's Imperial Birthday ) it started again.
- 4. After that, the conferring decoratios on a living person was called as Haru No Jokun: The Conferring Decoratios in Spring, on April 29, annually and as Aki No Jokun: The Conferring Decorationins in Autumn, on November 3. annually. Age: 70 or over, in principle Number of decorations: about 4500, each time
- 5. In addition to the above, they have Shibo Jokun: the conferring decorations on late person, and Koreisha Jokun: for the peolpe of the Elderly of age 88 or over. About 1100 decorations were awarded in 1995. And also they have Emergency Jokun: the deed performed must have been one of personal bravery or self-sacrifice at the risk, and Foreigners Jokun: Decorations for foreigners. They are conferred during their vists to Japan and on othe occasions.
Types of Orders and Decorations
- 1. Kikka_sho ( Orders of Chrysanthemum ) * Daikuni Kikka_sho, Keishoku
( Supreme Orders of Chrisanthmun, Necklace Designed ) * Daikuni Kikka Daiju_sho
( Supreme Orders of Chrisanthmum, Ribbon Designed )
- 2. Kyokujitsu_sho ( Orders of the Rising Sun ) 1st Order ------ 8th Order, Only for men. Historically established at first in Japan.
- 3. Hokan_sho ( Order of the Precious Crown ) 1st Order ------ 8th Order, Only for women.
- 4. Zuiho_sho ( Order of the Sacred Treasure ) 1st Order ------ 8th Order, For men & women now
- 5. Bunka Kun_sho ( Order of Culture ) For a person who have made extraordinary contributions to develop the Japanese culture. Annually on November 3, about 5 decorations each time.
Medals of Honor
- 1. Oju_hosho ( Yellow of Honor ) For a person who are public models of exemplary diligence in business.
- 2. Shiju_hosho ( Purple Rubbon Medals ) For a person who produce notable innovations in scholarship, arts or sports.
Ranju_hosho ( Blue Ribbon Medals ) For a person who has made extraodinary efforts in the areas of the prevention of epidemics, construction or public welfare.ex. carpenter of shrine, pilots, drivers, firemen. These three Medals of Honor are annually conferred twice a year, on April 29 & November
- 3. About 1700 medals in a year.
- 4. Konju_hosho ( Dark_Blue Ribbon Medals ) For a person who has contributed of public affairs. About 600 medals in 1995.
- 5. Koju_hosho ( Red Ribbon Medals ) For a person saving a life at their own risk.
- 6. Other Honor Shihai ( Precious Cup ) ---- Silver Cup or Wooden Cup awarded by the Emperor. Ex. High Priests, Winners of Olympic Games.
" Haru no Jokun " - The Conferring Decorations in this Spring
On April 29, 1997 About 4500 decorations Items:
- (1) Daikui Kikka Daiju_sho ( Supreme Orders of Chrysanthemun, Ribbon Designed ) 1 ---- Former Prime Minister, Mr.Nakasone
- (2) Kun 1st Kyokuji Daiju_sho ( 1st Order of the Rising Sun ) ----- 6 ex. former Minister, former Vice Speaker, former Chairman of Political Party.
- 3) kun 1st Zuiho_sho ( 1st Orders of the Sacred Treasure ) ------- 9 ex. former Chairman of Press Office, former Judge of Higher Court, Chairman of Chamber of Commerce & Industry, former Permanent Vice_Minister, former Minister
- (4) Kun 2nd Kyokujitsu Juko_sho ( 2nd Orders of the Rising Sun ) -- 16 ex. Honorary Professor, former Member of House of Representatives, former Ambassador, former Governor of Higher Court, former Chairman of Steamship, former President of University
- (5) Kun 2nd Zuiho_sho ( 2nd Orders of the Sacred Treasure ) --- about 60 ex. former Chief Public Prosecutor, former Judge Higher Court, former Mayor, Honarary Professor, former Member of House of Representatives, former Chairman of Self_Defence Forces, former Ambassador
- (6) Kun 3rd Kyokujitsu Chuji_sho ( 3rd Orders of the Rising Sun )-about 150 ex. Honorary Professor, former Inspector General of Ground Self_Defense Force, former Mayor, former President of Hospital, former President of Company, former Chief of Bureau, former Judge of District Court, former Member of House of Representatives
- (7) Kun 3rd Hokan_sho ( 3rd Orders of the Precious Crown ) ------------ 1 former Chairwoman of Housewives Federation
- (8) Kun 3rd Zuiho_sho ( 3rd Orders of the Sacred Treasure ) ---- about 215 ex. Honorary Professor, former Vice Chairman of National Bar Association, former Divisional Commander of Ground Self_Defense Force, former Director of Jurisdiction of Remedy, former Director, former Judge of District Court, former Member of Municipal Assembly, former Mayor, former Chairman of Company, former President of Hospital, former Chief Secretary
- Also on the same day, April 29, there were the conferring Orders on the person who had been living in foreign countries, and on foreigners, too. ex. former Resident Amb assador of Switzland, Chairman of Association of Japan and Mexico, former U.N. Secretary_General, former Resident Ambassador of Japan The former, 12 decorations, and the latter, 34 decorations.
Next, I will describe of the 4th Orders Decorations and the lower than that. But I will explain it, showing the exemplary of Aich Prefectural's. for it's a typical example in Japan, I think.
The 4th Orders Decorations and under that
Aichi Prefectural's On April 29, 1997 134 decorations
Items:
- (1) Kun 4th Kyokujitsu Shoju_sho ( 4th Orders of the Rising Sun ) --- 2 former Principal of Public Senior High School, former Chief of Bureau of Prefectural Government
- (2) Kun 4th Hokan_sho ( 4th Orders of the Precious Crown ) --------- 0
- (3) Kun 4th Zuiho_sho ( 4th Orders of the Sacred Treasure ) -------- 23
ex. former Counselor, former Principal of Public Senior High School, former Principal of Private Senior High School, former Postmaster of Central Post Office, former Member of Municipal Assembly, Chairman of Wholesalers Association
- (4) Kun 5th Soko Kyokujitsu_sho ( 5th Orders of the Rising Sun ) --- 15
ex. former Principal of Public Junior High School, former Member of Municipal Assembly, former Superintendent of Firemen, Vice Director of Disbursing Office, former Vice President of Volleyball Association, School Dentist, X'-rays' Chief of Technical Expert
- (5) Kun 5th Hokan_sho ( 5th Orders of the Precious Crown ) ---------- 0
- (6) Kun 5th Zuiho_sho ( 5th Orders of the Sacred Treasure ) -------- 36
ex. former Principal of Public Junior High School, & Elementary School, former Chief Polices Superintendent, former Member of Municipal Assembly, Chaplain, Public Protector, former Chairman of Judo_Orthopedist Association, former Chairman Retail Dealer Association
- (7) un 6th Kyokujitsu_sho ( 6th Orders of the Rising Sun ) -------- 15
ex. former Major Stationmaster, former Chief Police Superintendet, former Police Inspector, former Commander of Firemen, former Chief fo Fiermen, former Director of Juvenile Classification Office, former Vice Chairman of Injured Soldiers Association, former Vice Chairman of Coopetaive
- (8) Kun 6th Hokan_sho ( 6th Orders of the Precious Crown ) --------- 2
ex. former Head Nurse, former Technical Official
- (9) Kun 6th Zuiho_sho ( 6th Orders of the Sacred Treasure ) -------- 23
ex. former Military Second Lieutenant, former Assistant Police Inspector, Housemother, former Officer, former Commander of Firemen, Representative of Garden Designer, Representative of Western Clothes
- (10) Kun 7th Seishoku Toyo_sho ( 7th Orders of thr Rising Sun ) ----- 14
ex. former Assistant Police Inspector, Chief of Fire Brigade, Water Level Observer, Worker of Gas'works, Construction Worker, former Technical Official 97.6.19
- (11) Kun 7th Hokan_sho ( 7th Orders of the Precious Crown ) --------- 1
- former Kindergarten Teacher
- (12) Kun 7th Zuiho_sho ( 7th Orders of the Sacred Treasure ) -------- 3 97.6.19ex. former Technical Official, Vice Chief of Prison Ground
Decoration Ceremony
- (1) Daikuni ( Supreme Order of thr Chrysanthemum ) &
Kun 1st ( 1st Orders ) --------- The Emperor awarded it by himself in the Imperial Palace.
- (2) Kun 2nd ( 2nd Orders ) --------- The Prime Minister hand it in Imperial Palace.
- (3) Kun 3rd ( 3rd Orders ) or under - The Ministers hand these at some places.
A Case of Decoration Ceremony
Shoji Sugita's On April 29, 1997 Area: Meritorious Deed of Education
Shoji Sugita was handed the 4th Orders of the Rising Sun by the Minister of Education at the National Theater in Tokyo about 11:00 a.m. on April 29, 1997. After hanging the Decoration on his left breast, he went into the Imperial Palace with his wife, and they were received in audience by the Emperor with some other winners of the same Orders Decorations and their wives or husbands about 3:30 p.m.there ( The Palace of Spring & Autumn ). After that Memorial picture was taken at the Royal Court, and they received some Japanese cakes on which Chrisathemum Crest were printed, and a Royal Family's Album ( in stead of tobacco, recently ) each, and they went out of the Imperial Palace. In fact for Shoji Sugita it was the second time that he went there, for he got the Prize from the Minister of Education about ten and a half years ago, and at that time he went there with his wife and was received in audience by the late Emperor: The Showa Emperor. So, he is so grateful for his late_parents, late_grandparents, two old teachers at his Elementary School days and a lot of seniors, collegues, juniors now.
Criteria for the conferring Orders
- (1) Person who has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of services and achievements.
-------- Kun 6th Zuiho_sho ( 6th Orders of the Sacred Treasure ) or over
- (2) ----- the above & outstanding services and achievements -------- Kun 4th Zuiho_sho ( 4th Orders of the Sacred Treasure ) or over
- (3) ----- the above & in a successions of high positions of great importance -------- Kun 2nd Zuiho_sho ( 2nd Orders of the Sacred Treasure ) or over
* Area: Science, Arts / Newspapers, Informations / School Education, Social Education Social Welfare, Payment of Taxes/ Invention, Discovery/ Railroad, Carriage/ Flood Prevention Works, River Improvement/ Land Improvement/ Electrical Business, Gas Business/ Medical Doctor, Druggist/ Lawyer, Certificated Public Accountant/ Public Arbitration/ District Welfare Commissioner/ Labor Affairs/ Sports/Others
Others
- (1) The Winners of the conferring Orders don't get monetary merits. Someone misunderstand it. * Japanese Constitution Article 14 " Honors, Orders Decorations and any Awards don't have special rights."
- (2) Artistical value of Japanese brilliant Orders Decorations and Medals is on the top level in the world, for the technique and technology of " Shippo_Yaki "( Cloisonne ) and the Ribbon made in Kyoto are so distinguished from others.
@@@Officially, The Orders Decoration and Medals of Honor will be named in
English as follows:
@@@@Supreme Orders of the Chrysanthemum, Collar of the Supreme Order of the
Chrysanthemum,
@@@@Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, and
@@@@Orders of the Rising Sun
@@@@Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, Paulownia Flowers, Grand Cordon of the
@@@@Order of the@Rising Sun, The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, The Order
@@@@of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays@with Neck Ribbon, The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays
@@@@with Rosette, The Order of the Rising Sun,@Gold and Silver Rays, The Order of the Rising
@@@@ Sun, Silver Rays, The Order of the Rising Sun, Green Paulownia Medal, The Order of the
@@@@ Rising Sun, White Paulownia Medal, and
@@@@Orders of the Precious Crown
@@@@Grand Cordon of the Precious Crown, Peony, The Order of the Precious Crown, Betterfy,
@@@@The Order@of the Precious Crown, Apricot, The Order of the Precious Crown, Ripple, The
@@@@Order of the Precious@Crown, Gold Medal, The Order of the Precious Crown, Silver Medal,
@@@@ and
@@@@Orders of the Sacred Treasure
@@@@Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure, The Order of the Sacred
Treasure, Gold
@@@@ and Silver@Star, The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays
with Neck Ribbon, The Order
@@@@ of the Sacred Treasure,@Gold Rays with Rosette, The Order of
the Sacred Treasure, Gold
@@@@and Silver Rays, The Order of the Sacred@Treasure, Gold Medal, The Order of the Sacred
@@@@Treasure, Silver Medal, and
@@@@Order of Culture
@@@@Medals of Honour
@@@@Medal with Yellow Ribbon, Medal with Purple Ribbon, Medal with Blue Ribbon,
Medal with
@@@@Red Ribbon,@Medal with Green Ribbon and Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@New Orders, Decoration in Japan
@@@@Orders of the Rising Sun
@@@@Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, The Rising Sun, Gold and Silver
Star, The
@@@@Rising Sun,@The Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, The Rising Sun, Gold Rays with
@@@@Rosette, The Rising@Sun, Gold and Silver Rays and The Rising Sun,
Silver Rays.
@@@@Orders of the Sacred Treasure
@@@@Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure, The Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver
@@@@Star,@The Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, The Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays
@@@@with Rosette,@The Sacre Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays and The Sacred Treasure, Silver
@@@@Rays.
@@@@Order of Culture and Medals of Honour are not changed.
@@@@Awarded in Autumn, 2003 newly.
@@11/3/2003 described @@@
Note @@See the followings ! There are the names of Medals officially.
@@@@ŒMÍ‹y‚Ñ–J͂̉p–ó–¼@http://www8.cao.go.jp/intro/kunsho/eiyaku.html
‘åŒMˆÊ‹e‰ÔÍ |
Supreme Orders of the Chrysanthemum |
@‘åŒMˆÊ‹e‰ÔÍèòü |
@Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum |
@‘åŒMˆÊ‹e‰Ô‘åŽøÍ |
@Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum |
|
‹Ë‰Ô‘åŽøÍ |
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowewrs |
|
ˆ®“úÍ |
Orders of the Rising Sun |
@ˆ®“ú‘åŽøÍ |
@Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun |
@ˆ®“údŒõÍ |
@The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star |
@ˆ®“ú’†ŽøÍ |
@The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon |
@ˆ®“ú¬ŽøÍ |
@The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette |
@ˆ®“ú‘oŒõÍ |
@The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays |
@ˆ®“ú’PŒõÍ |
@The Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays |
|
•óÍ |
Orders of the Sacred Treasure |
@•ó‘åŽøÍ |
@Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure |
@•ódŒõÍ |
@The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Star |
@•ó’†ŽøÍ |
@The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck
Ribbon |
@•ó¬ŽøÍ |
@The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette |
@•ó‘oŒõÍ |
@The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays |
@•ó’PŒõÍ |
@The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Silver Rays |
|
•¶‰»ŒMÍ |
Order of Culture |
|
•óŠ¥Í |
Orders of the Precious Crown |
@•óŠ¥‘åŽöÍ |
@Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown |
@•óŠ¥‰²’OÍ |
@The Order of the Precious Crown, Peony |
@•óŠ¥”’’±Í |
@The Order of the Precious Crown, Butterfly |
@•óŠ¥“¡‰ÔÍ |
@The Order of the Precious Crown, Wistaria |
@•óŠ¥ˆÇ—tÍ |
@The Order of the Precious Crown, Apricot |
@•óŠ¥”gŒõÍ |
@The Order of the Precious Crown, Ripple |
|
–JÍ |
Medals of Honour |
@gŽø–JÍ |
@Medal with Red Ribbon |
@—ÎŽø–JÍ |
@Medal with Green Ribbon |
@‰©Žø–JÍ |
@Medal with Yellow Ribbon |
@Ž‡Žø–JÍ |
@Medal with Purple Ribbon |
@—•Žø–JÍ |
@Medal with Blue Ribbon |
@®Žø–JÍ |
@Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon |