German combat installation Tog 2. Heavy tank TOG. TOG II crew training

Japan's award system began to take shape immediately after the Meiji Revolution, which took place in 1868, when, after almost 550 years of rule by shoguns (military rulers), power in the country again passed into the hands of the emperor. At the beginning of April 1868, in the imperial palace of Kyoto, the fourteen-year-old Emperor Mutsuhito, in front of a meeting of the court aristocracy and feudal princes, proclaimed the oath of the new government. It consisted of 5 points stating that :

1. A broad assembly will be created, and all public affairs will be decided in accordance with public opinion.

2. All people (both rulers and ruled) should unanimously devote themselves to the advancement of the nation.

3. All military and civilian officials and all common people will be allowed to pursue their own aspirations and develop their activities.

4. All bad customs of the past will be abolished; justice and impartiality as understood by everyone will be respected.

5. Knowledge will be borrowed throughout the world, and in this way the foundations of the empire will be strengthened.

The Meiji reforms included the abolition of feudal principalities, an agrarian reform was carried out, the capitalization of samurai pensions, etc. Newspapers began to be printed in Japan, the Japanese calendar was formed according to the European model, and the country began to quickly and effectively adopt all the most important world discoveries of that time in science and technology.

It was under such conditions that for several years, starting in 1875, most national awards were introduced in Japan. From the very beginning, the new orders were signs of distinction and encouragement for the Japanese themselves, however, certain degrees were awarded to certain orders and foreigners. In addition to crowned heads, diplomatic representatives of various ranks were most often awarded. To receive a Japanese award, a foreigner had to live in the country from 3 to 10 years.

The first among Japanese awards was the military medal. In the early 1870s, several Japanese ships were wrecked off the coast of Taiwan, and their crews were killed by the inhabitants of that island. At that time, Taiwan belonged to China, but the Emperor of the Celestial Empire refused to accept responsibility for the actions of the Taiwanese. Then in Japan they decided to gather samurai, dissatisfied with the deprivation of their former privileges after the revolution, and send them to Taiwan to punish the perpetrators.

However, leading European countries They did not at all want Japan to interfere in the affairs of China, which was within their sphere of interests. Under pressure from Western diplomacy, the Japanese government was formally forced to withdraw from the expedition, but General Tsugumishi went to Taiwan, as if on his own initiative, and bought two ships. On the island, the war with the Chinese was limited to complex maneuvers, as a result of which a truce was reached and Japanese samurai came back home.

After these events, the first military award was established in Japan. Subsequently, many more of them will be created, and the Order of the Golden Falcon crowns the pyramid of Japanese military awards. The basis of the multicolored and rich in military attributes of the order is the ancient banners and the golden falcon crowning them. An ancient legend says that the first Japanese emperor Jimmu, trying to unite a country divided between several princes, was defeated in a battle with them. But the emperor had magical power and could communicate with the gods, and therefore the gods brought him a golden falcon, which advised the emperor to resume the battle at dawn and attack from the east. The rays of the rising sun and the radiance of the golden falcon blinded the enemies, and victory was on the side of Emperor Jimmu.

The Order of the Golden Falcon was established in 1890, but almost 20 years earlier (in 1871) the State Council decided to establish an order in Japan, although at that time even a name was not invented for it. Only one thing was clear: the order would be established on the model of European awards. Three years passed in discussing projects for a new award and making test samples, and only in April 1875 the Order of the Rising Sun, one of the most beautiful orders in the world, was officially approved.

The Order of the Rising Sun has 8 degrees, which differ in the color of the order ribbons, size and some other features of the sign. For the order badge of all degrees of the Order of the Rising Sun (except for the two lowest ones), the basis is the same star. The star has 32 rays, and in the middle of it is a sparkling sun made of red enamel (there is no inscription on it). And it really “sparkles”, since the center of the order is a concave glass covered with a small red lens. Three branches are placed above the star: to the middle one is attached a green pendant for wearing the order on a ribbon, depicting leaves and flowers sacred tree Tokwa (Tree of Life).

The order badge of the 1st degree is a star, which is worn on the right side of the chest, and a star on a ribbon over the right shoulder; the sign of the Order of the Rising Sun of the II degree is a star without a ribbon, which is worn on the right side of the chest, the III degree of the order is a star worn on the neck on a ribbon, etc. With the order badges of the I, III and IV degrees, the rays are made of white enamel and surrounded by a gold frame. Star of the Order of the Rising Sun, 2nd class - smaller, with golden rays: it is superimposed on the star bigger size with silver rays. The sash is white with red stripes along the edges.

The two lowest degrees of the Order of the Rising Sun were intended to reward soldiers and officials of low rank. Their badge is an enlarged pendant worn like a medal. It consists of three green enameled leaves with golden branches for the VII degree and with silver branches for the VIII degree.

A year later, in 1876, the highest and completely independent degree of the Order of the Rising Sun - the Order of the Chrysanthemum - was established in Japan. This is the favorite flower of the Japanese, and it has been cultivated in the country since time immemorial: it is a national flower, and all Japanese people are fond of growing it, from the emperor to the poorest people. The chrysanthemum is sung by many poets, and celebrations are held in its honor. folk holidays. Chrysanthemums are used to make wonderful compositions depicting groups of people and even entire historical scenes. Here you can see scenes of battles when blood “flows” in a stream; ships with fluttering sails “float”; brave heroes defeat monsters crawling out of the rocks, waterfalls “foam”...

The image of a chrysanthemum is sacred, and, based on state laws, only members of the imperial house have the right to wear clothes made of fabric with a flower pattern. In case of violation of this law, as well as for any attempt to depict this Japanese emblem and symbol of imperial power, all other Japanese were punishable by death. The reason for such veneration by the Japanese of this particular flower is explained by its very name: “kiku” - the sun that gives life to all living things on earth. The chrysanthemum began to be used as such a symbol in Japan a very long time ago, and proof of this is the image of the chrysanthemum on the blade of a saber that belonged to the then reigning Mikado in the 12th century.

The Order of the Chrysanthemum is intended only for members of the imperial house and crowned heads. The order badge is similar to the badge of the Order of the Rising Sun, only around it there are four yellow chrysanthemum flowers with leaves, and the largest flower is crowned with the order badge on top.

In 1888, another high degree of the Order of the Rising Sun appeared in Japan - the Order of Tokwa and the Sun. Its sign is decorated with five-petalled purple flowers at the ends of the rays, and leaves and flowers of Tokva at the top.

In the same year, two more Japanese awards were established - the Order of the Sacred Crown (intended for women) and the Order of the Sacred Treasure. It should be recalled that there are three sacred treasures in Japan: a mirror, a jasper and a sword. According to legend, the Japanese imperial family name came from Amaterasu, the sun goddess.

One day the goddess was angry with her brother Susanoo, the god of winds and storms, for committing acts that in ancient Japan were considered grave sins. Susanoo destroyed the irrigation systems in the fields cultivated by Amaterasu, desecrated her chambers, skinned a living horse, and scared to death the heavenly weavers who were weaving with the goddess. The angry goddess took refuge in the grotto, and the world plunged into darkness.

And then the heavenly deities began to invent different ways to lure Amaterasu out of the cave. First, they brought a torii (perch) to the cave and placed on them “long-singing birds,” roosters whose crow heralds the onset of morning. When this was not enough, the deities made a large bronze mirror and hung it on the branches of a tree at the entrance to the cave. To top it all off, the goddess Ame no Uzume began to dance on an inverted cauldron and threw off her clothes in ritual ecstasy. This caused great amusement among the celestials, and they began to laugh loudly.

Hearing the burst of laughter, Amaterasu slightly looked out of the cave to find out what was the matter. And the gods, answering that among them there were more bright sun, began to show the goddess a large mirror. Amazed by her reflection, Amaterasu froze for several moments in a daze, which was taken advantage of by the heavenly strongman god Ame no titikarao. He pulled the goddess out of the cave, and sunlight returned to the world.

The goddess Amaterasu handed this mirror, as well as jasper pendants and a sword, to her grandson Ninigino Mikoto with the following words: “Illuminate the world as brightly as this mirror. Rule the world with the miraculous swing of these jasper pendants. Subdue those who will not obey you by shaking this divine sword." Ninigino Mikoto, in turn, passed on the divine treasures to his descendants - the Japanese emperors.

These treasures had to be kept forever in the imperial palace, since without them the imperial power would be incomplete. But during long wars between the Taira and Minamoto clans, fighting for power, the sacred sword sank into the sea. Thus, only two relics remained, which is reflected in the insignia of the Order of the Sacred Treasure. It is a cross made of rays of different lengths covered with white enamel. In the center of the cross, a silver mirror is placed on blue enamel, and around it is a necklace of red enamel circles, symbolizing jasper pendants.

Five Russian citizens, by decision of the Japanese authorities, were awarded one of the country's highest awards - the Order of the Rising Sun. The Order of the Rising Sun is second in seniority only to the Order of the Chrysanthemum, which is awarded only to members of the imperial family and crowned heads from other countries and heads of state, and the Order of the Paulownia Flower. The holders of the order were: the rector of St. Petersburg University Nikolai Kropachev, deputy chairman of the artistic council of the Bolshoi Theater ballet troupe Boris Akimov, former State Duma deputy Boris Reznik, National artist USSR, ballet dancer and choreographer Vladimir Vladimir Vasiliev and President of the International Sambo Federation Vasily Shestakov. The list was published in Japanese newspaper"Mainiti."
In total, 927 people were awarded these orders, and the next most important Order of the Sacred Treasure was awarded to 3 thousand 127 people. One person was awarded the Order of Paulownia Flowers. In total, 4 thousand 55 people were awarded, including 96 foreigners from 48 countries. They, according to Tokyo, made the greatest contribution to world culture, science and sports movement, as well as in the development of relations between their countries and Japan. The Order of the Rising Sun was established in 1875 and has eight degrees. Since the second half of the last century, it has been awarded to about 50 citizens of the USSR and Russia - mainly scientists and artists, orientalists, and Japanese researchers. One of the first Europeans and the first Russian to be awarded the Order of the Rising Sun in 1881 was I. I. Zarubin (1822-1902), a mechanic on the frigate Pallada.
The order has eight degrees. In 2003, the Order of the Rising Sun underwent a reorganization; the two lower (7th and 8th) degrees of the order were abolished. The first class was originally divided into two classes - the "Order of the Rising Sun with Paulownia Flowers" as highest degree Order and the Order of the Rising Sun on the Great Ribbon. Currently, the Order of the Rising Sun with Paulownia Flowers is a separate award, occupying second position in the Japanese award system after the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum.
The badge of the order has a red glass cabochon in the center, symbolizing the rising sun, surrounded by 32 narrow double rays of white enamel, in the shape of an eight-pointed star. The badge is suspended from an imperial paulownia comb of leaves and flowers, green and purple enamel, respectively. The imperial crest has 5, 7 and 5 paulownia flowers for signs of classes I-IV, and 3, 5 and 3 flowers for classes V-VIII. The reverse of the sign is identical to the obverse, except that on the reverse of the pendant there are four hieroglyphs of the inscription “award of the Order of Merit”.

The Badge of the Great Ribbon of the Order of the Rising Sun is made of gilded silver. The breast star is a gilt badge of the order superimposed on an eight-pointed star of 24 double argent rays with polished edges and a grained surface. On the reverse there are four heads of fastening screws and four hieroglyphs of the inscription “award of the Order of Merit”.

Since 1877, everyone awarded the Order The Rising Sun was assigned an annual lifelong pension: from 840 yen for holders of the first degree of the order to 40 yen for holders of the eighth degree. Subsequently, with inflation, the size of pensions increased. In 1967, these payments were canceled (the persons receiving them were given a one-time compensation of 30 thousand yen). In 2003, changes were made to the award procedure: now it was possible to award women, and the senior type of the highest 1st degree - the Order of the Rising Sun with Paulownia flowers - was allocated as a separate award.
Reasons for awarding:
Intended for awards to both military and civilians. It is one of the main orders awarded for merit. It is awarded not only to the Japanese, but also to representatives of other countries. These are mainly awards for military personnel in the two lowest degrees of the order. Awards were made in accordance with the rank of the serviceman, starting from the eighth degree of the order for privates and ending with the first degree for generals. These orders were awarded to civil officials based on their position.

P.S.
In 1907, the Japanese Emperor Mutsuhito, in recognition of the heroism of the Russian sailors of the cruiser Varyag, sent Vsevolod Rudnev the Order of the Rising Sun, II degree.
The admiral, although he accepted the order, never wore it. The Japanese have a completely different mentality and therefore they were able to rise above conventions, awarded their former enemy with a military order, and gave the highest assessment of his personal feat. According to the Bushido samurai code of honor, the highest valor for a warrior is selfless courage, skillful use of weapons, impeccable adherence to duty and contempt for death. It was these qualities that the Japanese saw in the character of Vsevolod Rudnev. And the fact that he was their enemy changed little for them, the main thing was that in his spirit he turned out to be the same samurai as themselves, and the Japanese respected such opponents and admired their courage.

Cruiser "Varyag"

ENCYCLOPEDIA. The Order of the Rising Sun (Japanese: kyokuji-tsusho) was established by decree of the State Council on April 10, 1875. It is intended to reward both military and civilians. He has eight degrees (we can also say that he has 6 degrees of the order and 2 degrees of the medal of the order). It is one of the main orders awarded for merit.
It was awarded quite often to both Japanese and foreigners. These were mainly awards for military personnel in the two lowest degrees of the order. Awards were made in accordance with the rank of the serviceman, starting from the eighth degree of the order for privates and ending with the first degree for generals. These orders were also awarded to civil officials based on their position.
The badge of the order has a red enamel cabochon in the center, symbolizing the sun depicted on national flag Japan.
AN ENLIGHTENED LOOK. As people live, they know that the highest reward is the sun, not the star, of which there are many. The sun is light, the desire for enlightenment, the understanding that there is a lot of secondary things in the world. In fact, except for the sun, everything is secondary, but only the enlightened can realize this.

Reviews

The sun is the highest knowledge for solar system. There are energies with even more high levels radiation. Given upon request. Our people are probably not interested in what will happen to them. Tanya.

YOU are right about the Sun, as Light, as Knowledge - a Weapon of Divine Power!
But it follows from this that one must use it, Knowledge, when presenting it carefully...
Maybe it’s not necessary to blow up, but to encourage striving for Comprehension and Awareness in a non-traditional way of thinking?!..
Well, whoever does not strive to change himself will “explode” when the Time comes. And She has already arrived. So a lot of negative things manifest themselves as an outbreak of indignation, aggression, crime, etc.
I have the honor

“But it follows from this that one must use it, Knowledge, when presenting it carefully...”
You are absolutely right. Everything is poison and everything is medicine.

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