{{Short description|Type of crown worn by Japanese emperors}} {{Italic title}} [[File:Benkan Kōmei Tennō.jpg|thumb|alt=Benkan of Emperor Kōmei (1831-1867)|Benkan of Emperor Kōmei]]
The {{nihongo||冕冠|'''benkan'''|{{lit|crown|lk=yes}}}} is a type of crown traditionally worn by Japanese emperors and crown princes. It is also called {{nihongo||玉乃冠|tama no kōburi|{{lit|jeweled crown|lk=yes}}}}.<ref>{{Cite book|author=Minamoto no Shitagō|title=和名類聚抄 |trans-title = Wamyō Ruijushō |volume = 20|publisher=Nawa Dō'en|date=1617|url = https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/2544221/1/38 |doi = 10.11501/2544221 |doi-access = free |page = 38 |language = ja}}</ref>
In ancient Japan, emperors and nobles wore metal crowns made of gold, silver, and gilt bronze, influenced by the Korean peninsula.{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}} In the 8th century, emperors and crown princes began to wear ''benkan'' with chains attached to the metal crown, influenced by the Chinese {{transliteration|zh|mianguan}}.<ref name = "Saeki">{{Cite book|editor-last=Saeki|editor-first=Ariyoshi|script-title=ja:六国史|trans-title = Rikkokushi |volume=3|publisher=The Asahi Shimbun|date=1929|page=236 |url = https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/1919014/1/141 |doi = 10.11501/1919014 |doi-access = free |language = ja |author1=佐伯, 有義 }}</ref> In addition, a sun-shaped ornament was added to the top of the ''benkan'', creating a uniquely Japanese style of crown.
After that, the ''benkan'' was worn along with a ceremonial dress called ''kon'e'' for accession and ''chōga'' ({{lang|ja|朝賀}}, New Year's greetings) ceremonies, but it was last worn for the accession ceremony of Emperor Kōmei (1831–1867) in 1847, and has not been worn since.{{Sfn|Takeda|Tsuda|2016|p=330}}
In addition to ''benkan'' for the emperor, there is {{nihongo||宝冠|hōkan|{{lit|precious crown|lk=yes}}}} for the female emperor and {{nihongo||日形冠|nikkeikan|{{lit|crown in the shape of the sun}}}} for the infant emperor, each of which has a distinctive shape.
The ''benkan'', ''hōkan'', and ''nikkeikan'' crowns made in the Edo period (1603–1867) have each survived, but as {{nihongo|imperial treasures|御物}}, these are not usually shown to the public. However, they are occasionally displayed to commemorate accession ceremonies.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.kyohaku.go.jp/old/jp/special/koremade/meiho_2020.html |title = 御即位記念 特別展 皇室の名宝 |trans-title = Enthronement Commemorative Special Exhibition: Treasures of the Imperial Household |date = 2020 |publisher = Kyoto National Museum |access-date = 2024-02-25 |language = ja}}</ref>
==Origin== [[File:Fujinoki Kondo-sei Kan.jpg|thumb|Gilt bronze crown excavated from Fujinoki tomb, late 6th century (reconstruction).]]
In ancient Japan, it was customary to use flowers, branches, and leaves of plants and trees as hair ornaments or to wrap them around the head. These hair ornaments were called {{Nihongo||髻華|uzu}} or {{Nihongo||鬘|kazura}}.<ref>{{Cite journal |last = Masuda |first = Yoshiko |title = 古代における装いの意味 頭装具について |trans-title = The Meaning of Dress in Antiquity: On Headgear |journal = Clothing Life |volume = 31 |issue = 6 |publisher = The Society for Clothing Life | date = November 1988 |url = https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/3343386/1/19 |pages = 29–33 |language = ja}}</ref>
In the Kofun period (Mid 3rd century-7th century), influenced by the Korean Peninsula,{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}} emperors and nobles began to wear metal crowns of gold, silver, or gilt bronze decorated with botanical patterns. Metal crowns have been excavated from kofun (tumuli) throughout Japan, including the Eta Funayama and Fujinoki kofun tombs.
In 603, Empress Suiko (592-628) instituted the Twelve Level Cap and Rank System, which prescribed the types of caps to be worn by vassals according to their rank. In a description of Japan in the ''Book of Sui'' (636), it is written, "In the Sui Dynasty, that (Japanese) king created the system of crowns for the first time. The crowns were made of brocade or patterned cloth, and were further adorned with gold or silver floral ornaments."<ref>{{Cite wikisource|title=隋書|trans-title = Book of Sui |wslanguage=zh}}</ref>{{Efn|The original text is "至隋，其王始制冠，以錦綵為之，以金銀鏤花為飾。".}}
According to the ''Nihon Shoki'' (Chronicles of Japan, 720), these hair ornaments, also called ''uzu'', were attached to caps on New Year's Day and special occasions, and depending on rank, ''uzu'' were made of gold, leopard tails, or bird tails.<ref>Article of May 5, 19th year of Empress Suiko's reign in ''Nihon shoki''.</ref><ref>{{cite wikisource|author = Prince Toneri |title=日本書紀|trans-title = Chronicles of Japan |chapter=卷第廿二|trans-chapter = 22 |wslanguage=zh|language=zh}}</ref>
In the Chinese history book, ''The Old Book of Tang'' (945), there is a description of the crown of Awata no Mahito, an envoy from Japan who had an audience with Empress Wu Zetian of the Zhou dynasty (690–705) in 703. According to the description, he was wearing a crown similar to the Chinese ''jìndéguān'' ({{lang|zh|進徳冠}}, crown of the crown prince), with a floral ornament at the top.<ref>{{Cite wikisource|title=舊唐書|trans-title = Old Book of Tang|chapter = 卷199上 |wslanguage=zh}}</ref>{{Efn|The original text is "冠進德冠，其頂爲花." The ''jìndéguān'' was a crown for the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty established in 634, and was also given to vassals who had distinguished themselves.}} Therefore, crowns with floral decorations were used in Japan in the early 8th century.
[[File:Chinese Imperial Mian, Dingling.jpg|thumb|alt=Mianguan of Wanli Emperor of Ming Dynasty.|''Mianguan'' of Wanli Emperor of Ming Dynasty.]]
The history book ''Shoku Nihongi'' (797) states, "On January 1, in the 4th year of Tenpyō, Emperor Shōmu in the Daigokuden Hall of the Imperial Palace to receive New Year's greetings from the various vassals. At this time, the Emperor wore the ''benpuku'' ({{lang|ja|冕服}}, {{lit|the emperor's crown and robes|lk=yes}}) for the first time."<ref name = "Saeki" /> Therefore, it is believed that Japanese emperors began to officially wear the ''benkan'' in 732.
Emperor Shōmu's ''benkan'' survives in damaged condition. It consists of gold, silver, gilted metal, jewelry, and glass beads. Its shape is estimated to have been similar to that of Emperor Kōmei's benkan of the Edo period (1603–1867), an ancient metal crown topped with a Chinese ''mianguan''-like board with chains of pearls hanging from it, and a unique sun ornament.
==Terminology== thumb|alt=Portrait of Emperor Shōmu, 13th century.|Portrait of Emperor Shōmu, 13th century. The crown depicted is not a ''benkan'', but a typical {{Nihongo||垂纓冠|suiei-kan}} of the 13th century.
Both the {{Nihongo||冕|ben}} and {{Nihongo||冠|kan}} in {{Nihongo||冕冠|benkan}} are Chinese characters related to crowns. 'Ben' refers to a ceremonial headdress, specifically worn during important rituals, while 'kan' refers to the general concept of a crown. In China, however, benkan means the highest ceremonial crown worn by officials of the rank of ''dàifu'' ({{lang|zh|大夫}}) or higher, while in Japan it refers to a crown with chains, worn exclusively by the emperor and the crown prince.
Emperor Shōmu wore the ''benkan'' for the first time in 732 in Japan. However, a document dated 793 in the Shōsōin, where Emperor Shōmu's ''benkan'' was kept, says {{Nihongo||御冠|on-kanmuri}}, not ''benkan''.<ref>{{Cite journal |last = Yoneda |first = Yusuke |title = 礼服御冠残欠について―礼服御覧との関連において― |trans-title = On the Remains of the Dress and Crown: In Relation to the Viewing of the Dress |journal = Shōsōin Annual Report |volume = 17 | publisher = Shōsōin Office, Imperial Household Agency | date = March 1995 |pages = 44–72 |url = https://shosoin.kunaicho.go.jp/api/bulletins/17/pdf/0000000113 |language = ja}}</ref> The kanji for {{Nihongo||御|on}} is a prefix added to nouns to express politeness and it does not carry meaning on its own. {{Nihongo||冠|Kanmuri}} is kunyomi (Japanese reading) of the same Chinese character as {{Nihongo||冠|kan}} in ''benkan'', meaning crown. Therefore, the meaning of ''on-kanmuri'' is simply a crown.
There were paintings of Emperor Shōmu's ''benkan'' and Emperor Kanmu's ''benkan'' for the crown prince when he was the crown prince, drawn in the Nara period (710-794), which were handed down to the Kamakura period (1185-1333). The names of those paintings used {{Nihongo||礼冠|raikan|{{lit|ceremonial crown|lk=yes}}}}. Therefore, it is possible that the term ''benkan'' had not yet been used during the Nara period.<ref name = "Ressei1917">{{Cite book|editor=The Complete Works of the Emperors|title=列聖全集 宸記集 |trans-title = The Complete Works of the Emperors: Shinki-shū |volume=1|publisher=The Complete Works of the Emperors|date=1917|pages = 293–294 |doi = 10.11501/1914777 |url = https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/1914777/1/154 |language = ja |author1=列聖全集編纂会 編 }}</ref>
==Types== Minamoto no Takaakira's court ritual book, ''Saikyū-ki'' (10th century), describes four types of crowns: the ''benkan'' for the emperor, the ''hōkan'' for the female emperor, the ''nikkeikan'' for the infant emperor, and the {{nihongo||九章冕冠|kyū shō benkan|{{lit|''benkan'' with nine symbols|lk=yes}}}} for the crown prince.<ref name = "Saikyu1932">{{Cite book|editor-last = Kondo |editor-first = Heijo |script-title=ja:史籍集覧 編外 (西宮記) |trans-title = Additional volume of the Historic Collection: Saikyū-ki |publisher = Kondo Publishing Division |date = 1932 |page = 499 |url = https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/1071721/1/251 |doi = 10.11501/1071721 |language = ja |version = 3 |author1 = 近藤, 瓶城}}</ref>
The reason that the crowns for the female and infant emperors are not called ''benkan'' is thought to be that they did not have chains. At that time in Japan, crowns with chains were understood to be ''benkan''.
==Structure and design== thumb|Structural diagram of benkan
The structure of the ''benkan'' during the Edo period (1603–1867) is as follows:
# Sun and three-legged crow ({{lang|ja|日形と三足烏}}): The sun is surrounded by rays of light. In the post-medieval ''benkan'', a three-legged crow (''yatagarasu'') is inscribed within the sun. # ''Zuiun'' ({{lang|ja|瑞雲}}, auspicious clouds): Symbolic clouds representing good fortune. # ''Kaen Hōju'' ({{lang|ja|火焔宝珠}}, flaming sacred gem): A flame-shaped ornament surrounding a crystal. # ''Benban'' ({{lang|ja|冕板}}, {{lit|''benkan'' board|lk=yes}}): A square metal frame covered with thin black silk. # ''Tatetama'' ({{lang|ja|立玉}}, {{lit|standing gem|lk=yes}}): An ornament with a standing stem, petals attached to the end, and inlaid with a gem. # ''Koji'' ({{lang|ja|巾子}}): A black silk cap used to hold the topknot in place. # ''Ryū'' ({{lang|ja|旒}}, chain): The decorative chains hanging from the crown. # ''Oshikazura'' ({{lang|ja|押鬘}}): An openwork metal crown with floral and arabesque designs. The word ''oshikazura'' is thought to derive from the ancient word {{Nihongo||鬘|kazura}}, which refers to hair ornaments made from living plants. # ''Ei'' ({{lang|ja|纓}}, chinstraps): Straps used to secure the crown under the chin.
==Emperor's crown== thumb|alt=Emperor Kōmei's kon'e, 19th century.|Emperor Kōmei's ''kon'e'', 19th century.
In Japan, the emperor's ''benkan'' was once worn along with the ''kon'e'' (emperor's dress) during accession and ''chōga'' (New Year's greetings) ceremonies.
The Chinese-Japanese dictionary ''Wamyō Ruijushō'', vol. 12 (established in the first half of the 10th century), explains that the Chinese ''mianguan'' is called {{nihongo||玉乃冠|tama no kōburi|{{lit|jeweled crown|lk=yes}}}} in Japanese, and is characterized by chains called {{nihongo||旒|ryū|{{lit|chain|lk=yes}}}} hanging from the front and back of the crown.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Minamoto no|first=Shitagō|title=倭名類聚抄 |trans-title = Wamyō Ruijushō |volume = 20|publisher=Nawa Dō'en|date=1617|url = https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/2544221/1/38 |doi = 10.11501/2544221 |doi-access = free |language = ja}}</ref> Therefore, it can be seen that the ''benkan'' was considered at the time as a crown with chains.
The {{transliteration|ja|benkan}} worn by Japanese emperors is sometimes referred to as a "Tang-style crown", but it is actually very different from the {{transliteration|zh|mianguan}} worn in China. The {{transliteration|ja|benkan}} worn by the emperor in the Edo period consisted of a metal frame placed on top of an openwork gilt-bronze base called the {{Nihongo||押鬘|oshikazura}}, with forty-eight jeweled chains hanging from the edge of the frame, twelve on each side.{{Sfn|Kondo|2019|loc=chapt. 1}}<ref>{{Cite web|title=冠とは - きもの用語大全|url=http://www.so-bien.com/kimono/%E7%94%A8%E8%AA%9E/%E5%86%A0.html|access-date=2022-01-18|website=www.so-bien.com}}</ref>
Another significant difference from the Chinese ''mianguan'' was the sun-shaped ornament mounted on a ''benban'' (square board) at the top of the crown. This ornament is believed to have already been present on the ''benkan'' of Emperor Shōmu, and by the Heian period (794-1185) and later, the benkan also featured a depiction of the three-legged crow (''yatagarasu'') on it.
It is thought that this was done in recognition of the belief that the emperor was a descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu, and that he was the "emperor of the land of the rising sun" (''Book of Sui'').{{Sfn|Kondo|2019|loc=chapt. 1}}
The openwork metal crown with floral and arabesque patterns surrounding the cap is another feature not found on Chinese ''mianguan''. Thus, the Japanese ''benkan'' is not merely an imitation of the Chinese crown, but rather a combination of both the tradition of metal crowns that has continued in Japan since the Kofun period and the distinctive characteristics of the Chinese ''mianguan''.{{Sfn|Kondo|2019|loc=chapt. 1}}
In the {{transliteration|ja|Kojidan}} (Reflections on Ancient Matters, 1212-1215), it is said that "the crown at the time of the Daijosai is that of Emperor Ōjin", and that the crown of Emperor Ōjin was used at the Daijosai until the Heian and Kamakura periods.<ref>{{Cite book|author=源顕兼 |date=November 2020|publisher=Kadokawa |script-title=ja:古事談|isbn=978-4-04-400557-3|oclc=1223314021}}</ref> However, there is some dispute as to whether Emperor Ōjin's crown was actually a ''benkan''. Dohi Tsunehira (1707-1782), a scholar of court rituals, proposed the theory that it was not a benkan, but rather a {{Nihongo||玉鬘|tamakazura}}, an ancient necklace.<ref>* {{Cite book|editor-last=Kishigami|editor-first=Misao|script-title=ja:少年必読日本文庫 第6編 |trans-title = Boys' Must-Read Japan Library|volume=6|publisher=Hakubunkan|date=1891|url = https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/992430/1/161 |doi = 10.11501/992430 |page = 308 |language = ja |author1=岸上, 質軒 |author2=内藤, 耻叟}}</ref>
===Nara period=== thumb|The damaged ''benkan'' of Emperor Shōmu. The sun ornament can be seen in the upper left of the photo.
Among the Shōsōin treasures, there is a {{transliteration|ja|benkan}} worn by Emperor Shōmu that has been damaged and is called ''Onkamuri Zanketsu'' ({{lang|ja|御冠残欠}}, {{lit|remnants of the crown|lk=yes}}). The crown no longer retains its original form. However, metal openwork pieces featuring phoenix, cloud, and arabesque patterns remain, along with pearls, coral, and glass beads threaded through the structure.<ref name="archived-copy-2022a">{{Cite journal |title = 礼服御冠残欠について―礼服御覧との関連において― |trans-title = On the Remains of the Imperial Dress and Imperial Crown: In Relation to the Imperial Dress Viewing |journal = Shosoin Annual Report |volume = 17 | publisher = Shosoin Office, Imperial Household Agency | date = March 1995 |url=https://shosoin.kunaicho.go.jp/api/bulletins/17/pdf/0000000113 |access-date=2022-01-18 |archive-date=2022-01-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118010309/https://shosoin.kunaicho.go.jp/api/bulletins/17/pdf/0000000113 |language = ja}}</ref>
In 1242, Emperor Shōmu's ''benkan'' was brought to Kyoto from Shōsōin along with Empress Kōken's (reigned 749-758) ''benkan'' and Empress Kōmyō's (701-756) crown for reference in renewing Emperor Go-Saga's ''benkan''. However, an accident occurred during the return journey, and these crowns were damaged. Therefore, it has been pointed out that the remnants of Emperor Shōmu's ''benkan'' may have been mixed with parts of Empress Kōken's ''benkan'' and Empress Kōmyō's crown.
===Heian period=== thumb|alt=Raikan worn by vassals (18th century) with kushigata (halo-like ornament) at the rear.|''Raikan'' worn by vassals (18th century) with ''kushigata'' (halo-like ornament) at the rear.
In the Heian period (794-1185), the ''benkan'' of Emperor Seiwa (reigned 858-876) was newly created. Minaoto no Morofusa's diary, ''Doyūki'' ({{lang|ja|土右記}}, 11th century), describes the characteristics of the ''benkan''.<ref name = "Takeuchi1967">{{Cite book|editor-last=Takeuchi|editor-first=Rizo|script-title=ja:續史料大成 増補 |trans-title = Continued Historical Compilation: Enlarged Edition|publisher=Rinsen Shoten|volume=18|date=June 1967|isbn=4-653-00464-1|page = 256 |url = https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/2529857/1/152 |doi = 10.11501/2529857 |language = ja |author1=竹内, 理三 |author2=一条, 兼良 |author3=半井, 保房 |last4=後奈良天皇 |author5=田中, 久夫 |author6=源, 師房 |author7=藤原, 通俊 }}</ref>
According to the description, there is an inner crown (cap) made of thin black silk called {{Nihongo||巾子|koji}}, and {{Nihongo||櫛形|kushigata}} are placed in front and behind it. The ''kushigata'' is interpreted as an ornament consisting of a gold frame with a thin silk covering inside.{{sfn|Takeda|Tsuda|2016|p=191}} The ''raikan'' worn by vassals has ''kushigata'' at the rear, while the emperor's ''benkan'' also has ''kushigata'' at the front. Surrounding the inner crown is an outer gold crown called {{Nihongo||押鬘|oshikazura}}; above the ''koji'' is a square board consisting of a gold frame with a thin silk covering inside, with 12 jeweled chains each in front and behind it. Stems with jewels adorning their tips are arranged in rows, extending from the four sides of the square board. At the top of the crown is an ornament in the shape of a sun, consisting of two pieces of crystal (likely hemispherical), within which is a three-legged red crow. Around the sun are rays of light.<ref name = "Takeuchi1967" />
The ''benkan'' of Emperor Seiwa and that of the later Emperor Kōmei are generally the same, but the ''kushigata'' is absent from Emperor Kōmei's ''benkan''. In the case of Emperor Seiwa's ''benkan'', the chains are interpreted as hanging from the front and back of the ''benban'' (square board), but in Emperor Komei's ''benkan'', they hang from all four sides of the square board. Also, in Emperor Komei's ''benkan'', the three-legged crow in the sun is not made of crystal, but is carved on a plate of the sun.
===Kamakura period=== Emperor Seiwa's ''benkan'' was used in the accession ceremonies of later emperors, but during preparations for the accession ceremony of Emperor Go-Saga (reigned 1242-1246), it was found to be severely damaged.<ref>{{Cite book|editor-last=Sasakawa|editor-first=Tanero|script-title=ja:史料大成 |trans-title = Historical Compendium|volume=24|publisher=Naigai Shoseki|date=1935|doi = 10.11501/1236603 |url = https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/1236603/1/95 |pages = 162–163 |language = ja |author1=笹川, 種郎 |last2=矢野 |first2=太郎 |author3=平, 経高}}</ref> Therefore, as mentioned above, the crowns of Emperor Shōmu, Empress Kōken, and Empress Kōmyō were ordered from the Shōsōin Repository in Nara, and a new ''benkan'' was made with reference to them.
A painting depicting Emperor Shōmu's ''benkan'' had been handed down in the imperial palace at that time, and according to Emperor Go-Fukakusa (reigned 1246-1260), who saw the painting, there was no particular difference between Emperor Shōmu's ''benkan'' and Emperor Go-Saga's ''benkan'', which was newly crafted (''Diary of Emperor Go-Fukakusa'').<ref name = "Ressei1917" />
===Muromachi period=== The painting ''Silken Painting of Emperor Go-Daigo'' prominently displays the ''benkan'' of Emperor Go-Daigo, which is said to be the crown of Emperor Jimmu.{{Sfn|Uchida|2006|pp=148–149}} However, this is contrary to the statement in the ''Shoku Nihongi'' that the ''benkan'' begins with Emperor Shōmu.
This portrait depicts Emperor Go-Daigo undergoing the ''Abhisheka'' ({{lang|ja|灌頂}}, ''kanjō'') ceremony of the Shingon Buddhism in 1330, and is said to have been completed on October 23, 1339, after his death. There are two theories as to when the work started: during Emperor Go-Daigo's lifetime or after his death.
The depicted ''benkan'' consists of a ''benban'' board on top of a regular ''kanmuri'', with an additional sun-shaped ornament on top of the board. Chains are also depicted hanging from each end of the board. The ''kushigata'' and ''oshikazura'' are not depicted, and do not match the characteristics of the ''benkan'' described in the ''Doyū-ki''.
There are theories that this form of ''benkan'' over ''kanmuri'' is a non-photorealistic "pictorial expression,"<ref>{{Cite book|last = Kuroda |first = Hideo |title = 王の身体 王の肖像 |trans-title = The Body of a King and Portrait of a King |series = Chikuma Gakugei Bunko |publisher = Chikuma Shobo |date = 2009-02-10 |isbn = 978-4-480-09200-7 |language = ja}}</ref> or that it is an unrealistic and impossible way of wearing the crown, referring to the statue of Prince Shōtoku and aiming to portray Emperor Go-Daigo as sanctified.<ref>{{Cite journal |last = Takeda |first = Sachiko |title = 異形の聖徳太子 |trans-title = The Variant Prince Shotoku |journal = Historical Review |publisher = Historical Science Council |issue = 493 |date = May 1991 |pages = 23–30 |language = ja }}</ref>
On the other hand, according to the ''Book of Jin'', during the Jin dynasty (266–420) in China, there was a removable ''mianguan'' called ''píngmiǎn'' ({{lang|zh|平冕}}, {{lit|flat ''mianguan''|lk=yes}}), in which the ''mianguan'' was placed on top of the ''tongtianguan''.<ref>{{Cite wikisource|title=晉書|trans-title = Book of Jin|chapter = 卷25 |trans-chapter = vol. 25 |wslanguage=zh}}</ref> In Japan, there is a theory that Empress Kōken's ''benkan'' in the Shōsōin Repository may have been a removable form.{{Sfn|Kondo|2019|loc=§1}}
According to the diary of Nijō Michihira, when the imperial treasury was destroyed by fire in 1333, the emperor's imperial clothes, which were supposed to belong to Emperor Jinmu, were also destroyed by fire, and it is believed that the ''benkan'' was among them.<ref name = "Sakaguchi">{{Cite journal |last = Sakaguchi |first = Taro |title = 鎌倉後期宮廷の密教儀礼と王家重宝: 清浄光寺蔵「後醍醐天皇像」の背景 |trans-title = Esoteric Buddhist Rituals and Royal Treasures of the Late Kamakura Court: Background to the "Emperor Go-Daigo Statue" from Shōjōkō-ji |journal = Japanese Historical Studies |issue = 620 |date = April 2014 |pages = 1–29 |doi = 10.11501/13007361 |url = https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/13007361/1/2 }}</ref> Therefore, aside from the veracity of the tradition, it is believed that Emperor Go-Daigo actually wore Emperor Jinmu's ''benkan''.<ref name = "Sakaguchi" />
<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px"> File:Emperor Godaigo by Monkan-bō Kōshin.jpg|alt=Emperor Go-Daigo wearing the benkan.|Emperor Go-Daigo wearing the ''benkan''. File:Statue of Prince Shōtoku at Tachibanadera.jpg|alt=Statue of Prince Shōtoku|Statue of Prince Shōtoku </gallery>
===Edo period=== thumb|alt=Emperor Reigen wearing the benkan.|Emperor Reigen wearing the ''benkan''.
The medieval ''benkan'' is thought to have been destroyed by fire during the Kyoto Imperial Palace fire of 1653, and a new ''benkan'' was made. In the "Enthronement of Emperor Reigen and Abdication of Emperor Go-Sai" (17th century), Emperor Reigen (reigned 1663-1687) is depicted wearing a ''benkan'' and a red ''kon'e'', while seated in a ''takamikura'' (throne). It is unusual for the face of an emperor to be depicted directly on a folding screen of an accession painting.
Since Empress Go-Sakuramachi (reigned 1762-1771) was the first female emperor since Empress Meishō (reigned 1629-1643), the shape of the ''hōkan'' for female emperors was no longer known because Empress Meishō's hōkan had been destroyed by fire. Therefore, a new crown was made based on the crown of Tokugawa Masako (1607-1678), the empress of Emperor Go-Mizunoo, with the addition of a sun-shaped ornament.{{sfn|Takeda|Tsuda|2016|p=327}}
The two ''benkan'' worn by Emperor Ninkō and Emperor Kōmei during their coronation ceremonies are each preserved in the Higashiyama Gobunko (Imperial Archive) at the Kyoto Imperial Palace.{{sfn|Matsudaira|2006|p=13}}
The {{transliteration|ja|benkan}} was used until the coronation of Emperor Kōmei,<ref>{{Cite journal |last = Izutsu |first=Gafu |title = 天皇の御装束 |trans-title = The Ceremonial Costumes of the Emperor of Japan |journal = Journal of the Textile Society of Japan |volume = 51 |issue = 2 |publisher = The Textile Society of Japan |date = 1995 |pages = 78–81 |doi = 10.2115/fiber.51.2_P78 |doi-access = free |language = ja}}</ref> but since the reign of Emperor Meiji, the ''benkan'' has been replaced by the {{transliteration|ja|Go Ryūei no Kanmuri}} ({{lang|ja|御立纓の冠}}) as the government reformed the coronation ceremony to emphasize Shinto traditions over Chinese influences.<ref>{{Cite thesis |last = Miller|first = Alison |title = Mother of the Nation: Femininity, Modernity, and Class in the Image of Empress Teimei |publisher = University of Kansas |url = https://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/bitstream/handle/1808/25745/Miller_ku_0099D_14658_DATA_1.pdf?sequence=1 |date = 2016-05-31 |page = 29}}</ref>
== Empress' crown ({{transliteration|ja|hōkan}})== [[File:Hōkan Go-Sakuramachi.jpg|thumb|Empress Go-Sakuramachi's ''hōkan'']]
The crown of a female emperor (empress) is called a {{Nihongo||宝冠|hōkan}}. The ''Doyūki'' diary describes a viewing of a ''hōkan'' kept in the royal treasury in 1036.
According to the description, the ''hōkan'' had a low ''koji'' height, an ''oshikazura'' (openwork gold crown), and three branches extending from it, each with a floral ornament at its tip. There was no ''kushigata'', however, as in the ''benkan'' of male emperors. There is a small statue of a phoenix on the top of the crown, but it is slightly to the left, suggesting that a phoenix on the right may have been lost.<ref name = "Takeuchi1967" />
The low height of the ''koji'' is thought to be due to the fact that women did not wear topknots like men. Also, the crown does not have the chains of the ''benkan'', which may explain why it was not called a ''benkan''.
The ''hōkan'' is thought to have been worn by Empress Kōken, but some have questioned whether it was intended for an empress (the emperor's wife) rather than for a female emperor.{{Sfn|Takeda|Tsuda|2016|p=216}}
As mentioned above, Empress Meishō's ''hōkan'' was lost in a fire during the Edo period (1603–1867), but Empress Go-Sakuramachi's ''hōkan'' is still extant and kept in the Higashiyama Gobunko (Imperial Library) of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, but is not open to the public.
Empress Go-Sakuramachi's ''hōkan'' also does not have a ''benban'' and chains hanging from it. However, a total of three chains hang from the phoenix's beak and from either side of the crown. The difference from the ''hōkan'' described in the ''Doyūki'' is the absence of the ''koji'' itself, and instead there is the addition of a sun-shaped ornament, as in the ''benkan''.
The Order of the Precious Crown, established in 1888 (the 21st year of the Meiji) to be awarded to women, is a reference to this, and the center of the insignia is decorated with the image of a precious {{transliteration|ja|hokan}}.<ref name="www8caogojp-2022a">{{Cite web|title=Orders of the Precious Crown: Decorations and Medals in Japan - Cabinet Office Home Page|url=https://www8.cao.go.jp/shokun/en/orders-of-the-precious-crown.html|access-date=2022-01-18|website=www8.cao.go.jp|language=en}}</ref>
== {{transliteration|ja|Nikkeikan}} (Infant Emperor) == thumb|alt=Emperor Nakamikado's nikkeikan|Emperor Nakamikado's ''nikkeikan'', 1710.
The crown of an infant emperor is called {{nihongo||日形冠|nikkeikan|{{lit|crown in the shape of the sun}}}}, which is distinguished from ''benkan''. In the ''Saikyū-ki'', there is a description that "the infant emperor wears a ''nikkeikan''."<ref name = "Saikyu1932" />
In the ''Doyū-ki'', there is a description of the characteristics of the ''nikkeikan'' for the infant emperor.<ref name = "Takeuchi1967" /> According to the description, the lower part of the ''nikkeikan'' is the same as that of the ''benkan'', but the infant does not yet wear a topknot, so it does not have a ''koji''. The top of the crown is decorated with a sun-shaped ornament. The metal crown part of the crown is decorated with gold and precious stones; the crown has no chain, and a phoenix with open wings stands at the front part of the crown.
The ''nikkeikan'' used by Emperor Nakamikado (reigned 1709–1735) and Emperor Kōkaku (reigned 1779–1817) at their respective accession ceremonies are held as imperial treasures in the Higashiyama Gobunko of the Kyoto Imperial Palace. The shape of the crown is almost the same as that of the treasure crown, with a phoenix and sun decoration on the top.
==Benkan of the Crown Prince== thumb|alt=The Japanese Crown Prince wearing the Nine-Ornamented Benkan and ceremonial robes. From the Chōga-zu (1855).|The Japanese Crown Prince wearing the Nine-Ornamented ''Benkan'' and ceremonial robes. From the ''Chōga-zu'' (1855). In the ''Saikyū-ki'', the ''benkan'' of the Crown Prince is described as {{nihongo||九章冕冠|kyū shō benkan}}.<ref name = "Saikyu1932" /> The word {{nihongo||九章|kyū shō|{{lit|nine symbols|lk=yes}}}} represents {{nihongo|nine chains|九旒}}. There were nine chains hanging from each side of the square board above the crown.
In the Heian period (794-1185), a picture of a crown worn by the crown prince has been preserved in the Imperial Palace.<ref name = "Gofushimi">{{Cite book|editor=The Complete Works of the Emperors|title=列聖全集 宸記集 |trans-title = The Complete Works of the Emperors: Shinki-shū |volume=1|publisher=The Complete Works of the Emperors|date=1917|doi = 10.11501/1914777 |url = https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/1914777/1/154 |language = ja |author1=列聖全集編纂会 編 }}</ref> This picture is said to depict the ''raikan'' (''benkan'') of Prince Yamabe (later Emperor Kanmu), who became Crown Prince in 773. The crown depicted in the painting is said to be almost the same as the Emperor's ''benkan'', but slightly different. The number of chains on each side of the crown is estimated to have been nine, as opposed to the twelve on the emperor's ''benkan''.
==Gallery== <gallery widths="160px" heights="200px"> File:Empress Jito by Katsukawa Shunsho.png|Empress Jitō wearing the benkan, Edo period, by Katsukawa Shunshō. File:Emperor Kanmu.jpg|Portrait of Emperor Kanmu wearing the benkan, 1805, Enryaku-ji collection. File:Emperor Go-sanjō.jpg|Portrait of Emperor Go-Sanjō, 1893, Komaba Museum collection. File:Benkan.jpg|View of a {{transliteration|ja|benkan}}. File:Hokan.jpg|{{transliteration|ja|Hōkan}} </gallery>
== See also == * Imperial crown * Kon'e * Raikan
== Notes == === Explanatory notes === {{Notelist}}
=== Citations === {{Reflist}}
== General and cited reference == * {{Cite book |last=Abe |first=Yasuro |title=中世日本の宗教テクスト体系 |trans-title=Medieval Japanese Religious Textual Systems |date=2013 |publisher=Nagoya University Press |isbn=978-4-8158-0723-8 |language=ja}} * {{Cite book |last=Kondo |first=Yoshikazu |title=天皇の装束 - 即位式、日常生活、退位後 |trans-title=The Emperor's Attire—Accession Ceremony, Daily Life, After the Abdication |publisher=Chuokoronsha |date=2019-03-16 |isbn=978-4-12-102536-4 |language=ja}} * {{Cite book |last=Kuroda |first=Hideo |title=王の身体 王の肖像 |trans-title=King's Body Portrait of a King |date=1993 |series=Image Reading Series |publisher=Heibonsha |isbn=978-4-582-28470-6 |language=ja}} * {{Cite book |last=Matsudaira |first=Norimasa |title=図説宮中柳営の秘宝 |trans-title=Illustrated: Treasures of the Imperial Family and the Shoguns |publisher=Kawade Shobō Shinsha |date=2006 |isbn =978-4-309-76081-0 |language= ja}} * {{Cite book |last1=Takeda |first1=Sachiko |last2=Tsuda |first2=Daisuke |title=礼服―天皇即位儀礼や元旦の儀の花の装い― |trans-title=Ceremonial Dress: Floral attire for the emperor's accession ceremony and New Year's Day ceremony |publisher=Osaka University Press |date=2016-08-20 | isbn=978-4-87259-551-2 |language=ja}} * {{Cite journal |last=Toyama |first=Motohiro |year=2014 |volume=21 |title=清浄光寺蔵「後醍醐天皇像」関連史料の一考察 |trans-title=A Study of Historical Materials Related to the "Go-Daigo Emperor Statue" in Seikouji Temple |journal=Komazawa Women's University Research |issue=21 |pages=27–44 |publisher=Komazawa Women's University |doi=10.18998/00001184 |doi-access=free |language=ja}} * {{Cite book |last=Uchida |first=Kei'ichi |title=文観房弘真と美術 |trans-title=Monkanbō Kōshin and Art |date=2006 |publisher=Hōzōkan |isbn=978-4-8318-7639-3 |language=ja}}
{{Japanese clothing}} {{Crowns}}
Category:Hats Category:Headgear Category:Crowns (headgear) Category:Pages with unreviewed translations Category:Japanese monarchy Category:Japanese headgear