Online Encyclopedia
Chrysanthemum Throne
Chrysanthemum Throne is the common name given to the Imperial throne of Japan. The chrysanthemum (kiku in Japanese) is the coat of arms of the Japanese Emperor.
The Chrysanthemum Throne is the oldest monarchy in the world. In Nihonshoki it is said that the Empire of Japan was founded in 660 BC by the Emperor Jimmu. And it is said his descendants continue to reign today; the current Emperor Akihito is the 125th direct descendant of Jimmu. With historical assuarance the record is back to Emperor Ojin who supposedly reigned in the early 5th century. Despite the fact that there have been eight Empresses, under Japanese Imperial law (promulgated by the Imperial Household Agency and the Privy Council ) women cannot reign since the middle of the 19th century.
The Japanese monarchy is highly traditional and modern at the same time. The Emperor (Japanese: tennō (天皇), "heavenly sovereign") acts as a high priest in the Shinto faith, although his divine power was renounced after World War II.
Under the provisions of the current Japanese constitution, the Emperor is a symbol of the state and the unity of the people; he has no real political power but is regarded as a ceremonial Head of State and constitutional monarch. Despite this there still exist people who would like to see the Emperor's power increased. These monarchists usually come in the form of politicians, Shinto fanatics and Yakuza gangsters.
The Emperor of Japan is the only legitimate sovereign holding the title of emperor left in the world.