Order of the Chrysanthemum

Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum 大勲位菊花章 Dai-kun'i kikka-shō
Order of the Chrysanthemum of Victor Emmanuel III. Musée de la Légion d'Honneur
Awarded by the Emperor of Japan
Awarded for	Exceptionally meritorious achievement/service
Status	Currently constituted
Sovereign	HIM The Emperor
Grades	Collar Grand Cordon
Statistics
Established	1876
Precedence
Next (higher)	None; highest.
Next (lower)	Order of the Paulownia Flowers
Ribbon of the Order

The Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum (大勲位菊花章, Dai-kun'i kikka-shō^?, literally Grand Order of the Capitulum of the Chrysanthemums) is Japan's highest order. The Grand Cordon of the Order was established in 1876 by Emperor Meiji of Japan; the collar of the Order was added on January 4, 1888. Although technically the order has only one class, it can either be awarded "with collar", meaning on a chain, or "with grand cordon", accompanied by a sash. Unlike its European counterparts, the order may be conferred posthumously.

Apart from the Imperial Family, only six 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. Seven others have been posthumously decorated with the collar; the last such award was to former Prime Minister Sato Eisaku in 1975. 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 the Imperial Family, only 21 grand cordons have been awarded to living citizens and 29 to the deceased.

The collar of the order is made of gold, and features the kanji for "Meiji", in classic form, indicating the era of the order's establishment. It is decorated with gold chrysanthemum blossoms and green-enamelled leaves.