National and Imperial Seal of Japan

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National and Imperial Seal of Japan
Imperial Seal of Japan.svg
Details
Heraldic shield chrysanthemum

The National and Imperial Seal of Japan , originally just called the Imperial Seal , is called Kiku no Gomon ( 菊 の 御 紋 , "Chrysanthemum Coat of Arms ") in Japanese .

description

Japanese passport with the seal
on the bow of the battleship Mikasa

The seal shows a stylized chrysanthemum with 16 petals.

The Imperial Seal is only used by members of the Imperial family . The Meiji Constitution provided for the sole use of the seal by the Tennō , for this reason each member of the imperial family used a slightly modified version of the seal. Imperial Family Shinto shrines also use the modified versions of the seal, and other Shinto shrines unrelated to the Imperial Family may use the chrysanthemum as part of their seal.

There is still no law that declares the imperial seal to be the state coat of arms . However, it is largely used as such and adorns the cover of the Japanese passport , among other things . In addition, Section 154 of the Japanese Criminal Code contains an offense that does not threaten the falsification of documents if a forged imperial seal with a lifelong penal or penitentiary is used for a period not less than three years.

literature

  • Karl-Heinz Hesmer: Flags and coats of arms of the world. History and symbolism of the flags and coats of arms of all states . Gütersloh: Bertelsmann Lexikon Verlag, 1992. ISBN 3-570-01082-1

Web links

Commons : National and Imperial Seal of Japan  - collection of images, videos and audio files