Japan – Emperor Hirohitos Serphim case
Description
Emperor Shōwa (昭和天皇, Shōwa-tennō, 29 April 1901 – 7 January 1989), commonly known in English-speaking countries by his personal name Hirohito (裕仁), was the 124th emperor of Japan, ruling from 25 December 1926 until his death in 1989.
Hirohito and his wife, Empress Kōjun, had two sons and five daughters; he was succeeded by his fifth child and eldest son, Akihito. By 1979, Hirohito was the only monarch in the world with the title “emperor”. He was the longest-reigning historical Japanese emperor and one of the longest-reigning monarchs in the world.
Hirohito was the head of state under the Meiji Constitution during Japan’s imperial expansion, militarization, and involvement in World War II. Japan waged a war across Asia in the 1930s and 40s in the name of Hirohito, who was revered as a god. After Japan’s surrender, he was not prosecuted for war crimes, as General Douglas MacArthur thought that an ostensibly cooperative emperor would help establish a peaceful Allied occupation, and help the U.S. achieve their postwar objectives. His role during the war remains controversial. On 1 January 1946, under pressure from the Allies, the Emperor formally renounced his divinity. The Constitution of Japan of 1947 declared the Emperor to be a mere “symbol of the State, deriving his position from the will of the people in whom resides sovereign power.”
In Japan, reigning emperors are known only as “the Emperor”. Hirohito is now referred to in Japanese by his posthumous name, Shōwa, which is the name of the era coinciding with his reign.
The case of issue is by C.F. Carlman of Stockholm, maker’s mark in gilt on the inner lid. The inside is dark blue which indicates that it is made for a Serphim star and badge. For the other Swedish orders, the color is dark red. Under the case a sticker with Japanese letters which reads: 21 October 1919, Sweden, the order of Seraphim”.
When the emperor died the order had to be returned. Since this type of case is not in use it was discarded.
