Today – April 30, 2019, Emperor Akihito will officially abdicate, then cede the throne to Crown Prince Naruhito. This is a historic moment for Japan, because Akihito is the first Emperor (the title of the emperor) to step down in the past 200 years.
Both the abdication ceremony and the coronation ceremony are performed according to traditional Shinto (Shinto) rituals. But the most notable will be the appearance of national treasures – things that are considered the most mysterious treasures in Japanese history , because even the Emperor has never seen them.
Those are the three items of the Three Sacred Treasures – Japan’s sacred treasures, which will be presented to the new emperor on May 1. This ceremony was attended by only 26 people including ministers and representatives of the Japanese Cabinet.
Although not officially the “national religion “, Shinto is still the most important religion in Japanese culture. Shinto rituals are still maintained to connect the present with the past, with spirits, and determine the destiny of people.
The Three Sacred Treasures are part of Shintoism.
The Three Sacred Treasures are part of Shintoism. Legend has it that these are the treasures of the gods, passed down through the emperors. Since ancient times, the Sacred Treasures have acted as symbols of the power of the Imperial House of Japan, today nothing has changed.
But also because it is so sacred, the treasures are also hidden from the world, no one knows.
“We don’t know when the treasure was made. We have never even seen it,” said Professor Hideya Kawanishi from Nagoya University.
“Even the Emperors have never seen it.”
In fact, at the coronation ceremony, only copies of the treasure appeared. The real treasure (although no one has yet confirmed to be real) will be stored in other places, which we will learn about shortly.
In fact, at the coronation ceremony, only copies of the treasure appeared.
According to historians, Bat Chi glass has probably existed for more than 1000 years, and is now believed to be kept in the Ise Shrine in Mie Province.
According to Shinsuke Takenaka from the Theological Research Institute, the mirror can be considered the most precious treasure in the trio of Sacred Treasures. This is also the only treasure that did not appear in the last Coronation ceremony in 1989.
Simulation Bat Chi glass.
Japanese legend, a mirror that holds divine power, can reveal the truth. During the coronation ceremony, the treasure symbolizes the wisdom of the new Emperor.
The Kojiki – Japan’s oldest surviving chronicle – indicates that the Eight-Child Glass was the work of the forging god Ishikori-dome. At that time, Susanoo – the god of the sea and storms – was often at odds with his sister, Thien Chieu Dai God Amaterasu (god of the sun). During a battle, Amaterasu angrily retreated to a cave mouth and locked himself in it, leaving the world in darkness.
Susanoo then organized a party to lure Amaterasu out, causing the god of curiosity to appear. At that time, the mirror of Ishikori-dome hanging on the tree reflected Amaterasu’s image, bringing light back to the world, and since then was considered a treasure of the god.
The current location of the Kusanagi sword is still unknown. However, current opinions suggest that the treasure is kept at the Atsuta Shrine of Nagoya Prefecture.
This sword grew from the tail of the eight-headed python Yamata-no-Orochi after being killed by Susanoo.
Legend has it that this sword grew from the tail of the eight-headed python Yamata-no-Orochi after being killed by Susanoo. The storm god tricked the snake into getting drunk, then cut off its entire tail and the sword Kusanagi appeared.
A short time later, Susanoo used the same sword to apologize to Amaterasu, which was later given to the Human Emperors.
At the coronation ceremony, the sword symbolizes the bravery of the emperor. However, the existence of the sword is still controversial, because all information is sealed. As was the case with an Edo period priest who said that he had seen this sword and was banished shortly after.
Besides, there are also rumors that the sword was lost in a naval battle in the 12th century, but according to Takenaka, it is just a copy.
When the current Emperor Akihito ascended the throne in 1989, it is said that he was given the original Kusanagi, but the sword was then kept in a sealed box and never opened.
In other words, the Emperor himself did not know what Kusanagi’s true form was.
Magatama is a type of curved jade, appearing in Japan since 1000 BC. The jade bowl is also a magatama, but it contains the power of god in it.
‘
Magatama is a type of curved jade, appearing in Japan since 1000 BC.
According to legend, the origin of the Jade Bowl was part of a necklace given by the god of festival and happiness Ame-no-Uzume during Susanoo’s party, to lure Amaterasu out of the cave. Over time, the necklace became only a piece of jade, becoming the spirit of the Japanese people.
Experts believe that the jade bowl is made from jade, and may be the only “original” treasure left. However, there is no verifiable information.
Why do the Japanese believe in treasures?
According to Professor Kawanishi, there is still a part of Japanese people who believe that holy spirits really have the power of gods. However, most only see this as a necessary symbol of the coronation ceremony, like the crown of a Western king.
These spirits are very important. The professor said they showed “the mystery of an emperor,” and were “a symbol of the longevity of the court”.
3 legendary swords “both strange and familiar” in Japanese history