Order of the Rising Sun facts for kids

Order of the Rising Sun, c. 1902

The Order of the Rising Sun (旭日章, Kyokujitsu-shō) is a Japanese government honor established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji. The Order was the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese Government, It was created on April 10, 1875 by decree of the Council of State.

The modern version of this honor has been given to non-Japanese recipients beginning in 1981.

The awarding of the Order is administered by the Decoration Bureau of Office of the Prime Minister. It is awarded in the name of the Emperor.

Classes

The Order was awarded in nine classes until 2003. Since then, it has been awarded in seven classes.

Selected recipients

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1st Class, Order of the Rising Sun with Paulownia Flowers, Grand Cordon

• Konrad Adenauer (1876–1967)

• Douglas MacArthur (1880–1964)

1st Class, Grand Cordon

• Edmund Barton, 1905

• Sepp Blatter, 2009

• Malcolm Fraser, 2006

• Daniel Inouye (1924-2012)

• Lee Kuan Yew, 1967

• Wangari Maathai, 2009

• John McEwen 1973

• Robert Menzies (1894–1978)

• Goh Chok Tong, 2011

• Gough Whitlam, 2006

2nd Class, Gold and Silver Star

• Momofuku Ando (1910–2007), 2002
• Donald Keene, 1993

3rd Class, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon

• Clint Eastwood, 2009

• Ian Nish, 1991

4th Class, Gold Rays with Rosette

• Martha Argerich, 2005

• George Takei, 2004

• H. Paul Varley, 1966

5th Class, Gold and Silver Rays

• Yoshizawa, Akira (1911–2005)

6th Class, Silver Rays

• Henry Hajimu Fujii (1886–1976)

7th Class, Green Paulownia Leaves Medal

In 2003, this grade of the Order was abolished.

8th Class, White Paulownia Leaves Medal

In 2003, this grade of the Order was abolished.

Class unknown

• Aung San (1915–1947)

Images for kids

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  US Navy Admiral Dennis C. Blair being presented the badge and ribbon of Order of the Rising Sun. (2005)

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  Baron Descamps wearing the Grand Cordon.