The benkan (冕冠, lit.'crown') is a type of crown traditionally worn by Japanese emperors and crown princes. It is also called tama no kōburi (玉乃冠, lit.'jeweled crown').[1]
In ancient Japan, emperors and nobles wore metal crowns made of gold, silver, and gilt bronze under the influence of the Korean peninsula. In the 8th century, emperors and crown princes began to wear benkan with chains attached to the metal crown, influenced by the Chinese mianguan.[2] Furthermore, a sun-shaped ornament was added to the top of the benkan, giving birth to a uniquely Japanese crown.
Since then, the benkan was worn along with a ceremonial dress called kon'e for accession and chōga (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.[3]
In addition to benkan for the emperor, there is hōkan (宝冠, lit.'precious crown') for the female emperor and nikkeikan (日形冠, 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) each have survived, but as imperial treasures (御物), these are not usually shown to the public. However, they are occasionally shown to the public to commemorate accession ceremonies.[4]
^Minamoto no, Shitagō (1617). 和名類聚抄 [Wamyō Ruijushō] (in Japanese). Vol. 20. Nawa Dō'en. p. 38. doi:10.11501/2544221.
^佐伯, 有義 (1929). Saeki, Ariyoshi (ed.). 六国史 [Rikkokushi] (in Japanese). Vol. 3. The Asahi Shimbun. p. 236. doi:10.11501/1919014.
^Takeda & Tsuda 2016, p. 330.
^"御即位記念 特別展 皇室の名宝" [Enthronement Commemorative Special Exhibition: Treasures of the Imperial Household] (in Japanese). Kyoto National Museum. 2020. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
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