Orders of the Precious Crown

(Currently presented only to foreigners as a ceremonial award or on other special occasions)

The Orders of the Precious Crown was established in 1888, concurrently with the Order of the Sacred Treasure. Originally, this medal was only conferred to women, featuring the precious crown based on the design of a crown worn by ancient empresses, encircled by pearls, designs of bamboo shoots, and cherry blossoms and leaves. The shape of the attachment draws its influence from the crests on ladies of the ancient Imperial Court, and includes paulownia, peony, butterfly, wisteria, apricot, and ripples.

Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown

The Order of the Precious Crown, Peony

The Order of the Precious Crown, Butterfly

The Order of the Precious Crown, Wistaria

The Order of the Precious Crown, Apricot

The Order of the Precious Crown, Ripple