Order of the Rising Sun

  • Established: 1875/4/10

The Order of the Rising Sun was the first European-style national decoration created by the Meiji government. It was established by the Meiji Emperor and the Daijô-kan (Council of State) on 1875/4/10.

The Order is awarded in a number of varying levels or ranks, including "with Gold and Silver Rays," the First Class of the Order of the Rising Sun being "with Paulownia Flowers." The latter was established on 1888/1/4, alongside the Order of the Chrysanthemum with Chain.

The Order continued to be awarded today, and is bestowed upon people said to have made distinguished achievements in international relations, promotion of Japanese culture, environmental preservation, welfare development, or achievements in their respective field of specialty.

Selected List of Recipients

References

  • 45th International Taiko Festival brochure, UC Berkeley, November 2013, p7.
  1. Masaji Marumoto, "Vignette of Early Hawaii-Japan Relations: Highlights of King Kalakaua's Sojourn in Japan on His Trip around the World as Recorded in His Personal Diary", Hawaiian Journal of History 10 (1976), 59.
  2. Marumoto, 60.
  3. "About the Author," Craig, The Heritage of Chinese Civilization, Third Edition, Prentice Hall (2011), xii.
  4. "Japan grants high honor to UH professor," University of Hawai'i News, 10 July 2019.