Order of the Chrysanthemum

Order of the Chrysanthemum, Japan’s highest and most exclusive order, established in 1877 by the Meiji emperor, awarded mainly to members of Japan’s royal family and to foreign royalty or heads of state. The order has only one class and is exclusively for men.

The badge consists of a white enameled star with 32 rays edged in gold with a central cabochon garnet surrounded by a gold band. Four small silver chrysanthemums placed between green leaves encircle the garnet. The medal is suspended from a large, gold-rimmed likeness of a chrysanthemum.

Apart from the Imperial Family, only seven Japanese citizens have ever been decorated with the collar in their lifetimes; the last such award was to former Prime Minister Saionji Kinmochi in 1928. Eight others have been posthumously decorated with the collar; the last such award was to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022. Today, only the reigning Emperor holds this dignity as sovereign of the order; however, exceptions are made for foreign heads of state, who can be awarded the collar in friendship.

The grand cordon is the highest possible honour a Japanese citizen can be awarded during his or her lifetime. Aside from members of the Imperial Family, 53 Japanese citizens have been decorated with the grand cordon; of these, only 23 were living at the time of receipt