Representation of Japan's imperial regalia, known as the Three Sacred Treasures (courtesy tokyotako.com)
The Three Sacred Treasures of the imperial family were allegedly handed by the sun goddess Amaterasu to her grandson Ninigi no mikoto, passing down to the imperial family.
They consist of the sword Kusanagi no Tsurugi, the mirror Yata no Kagami, and the jewel Yasakani no Magatama. They were long kept in the imperial palace, but the mirror was eventually removed to become the goshintai or sacred body at Ise.
The regalia served as symbols of authority, and various theories have been put forward about the significance. Traditionally they were said to represent valour, benevolence and wisdom. However, I rather like Tofler’s idea that sees them in terms of power, wealth and knowledge.
It’s considered auspicious to visit Ise in the year after the shikinen sengu renewal of the shrine, and the imperial couple (who did not attend the ceremonies) have now travelled to pay respects there. Confusingly, newspaper reports of the event claim that they have taken two of the imperial regalia with them (the third being the mirror at Ise). I say ‘confusingly’ because it’s commonly assumed the sword, Kusanagi no Tsurugi, is kept by Atsuta Jinja. Here for instance is what Wikipedia has to say:
Kusanagi is allegedly kept at Atsuta Shrine but is not available for public display, and its existence cannot be confirmed. During the Edo period, a Shinto priest, claimed to have seen the sword. According to him, the sword was about 84 cm long, shaped like calamus, fashioned in a white metallic color, and well maintained. Recently, Japan’s nationally run broadcasting station, NHK, went to Atsuta Shrine to videotape the sword but were turned away.
So what are we to make of reports such as that below? My supposition is that the sword is a copy, similar to the copy of Amaterasu’s mirror which is housed in the imperial palace. That’s speculation on my part, however, and I’m uncertain of the official line (if indeed there is one).
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Imperial sword, jewel taken to Ise Shrines
Japan News March 25, 2014 (The Yomiuri Shimbun)
One of Japan's Three Sacred Treasures seen here in a box behind the emperor and empress (courtesy Yomiuri Shimbun)
The Emperor and Empress arrived at the Ise Grand Shrines in Ise, Mie Prefecture, on Tuesday afternoon with the sacred sword and jewel of the Imperial family.
The Imperial couple is making a private visit to the shrines where the Shikinen Sengu renewal ceremony was held last year. The Shikinen Sengu is a series of events held once every 20 years to transfer deities to newly constructed shrine buildings.
It was the first time that the sacred sword and jewel have been brought out of the Imperial Palace since the couple visited the shrines after the previous Shikinen Sengu 20 years ago.
The sword, Kusanagi no Tsurugi, the comma-shaped jewel, Yasakani no Magatama and the mirror, Yata no Kagami constitute the three sacred treasures of the Imperial family. The first two treasures taken together are referred to as Kenji, meaning sword and jewel.
The Emperor and Empress are scheduled to visit Geku, the outer shrine, and Naiku, the inner shrine, at the Ise Grand Shrines on Wednesday, and to return to Tokyo on Friday.
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