IMPERIAL FLOWER

Hokitika Guardian, 9 June 1932, Page 7

IMPERIAL FLOWER

JAPANESE CRUISERS* BADGES

GOLD CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

WELLINGTON, June 4. A prominent feature on the stem of each of the Japanese cruisers Asama and Iwate is a large golden chrysan. themum of sixteen petals. The device, which on both ships in sharp contrast to the dark grey paint of the vessels’ hulls. It was remarkable how, as the cruisers approached Pipitea Wharf, the bright sunshine lit up the great golden chrysanthemums and caused them to stand out in a vivid splash of colour against the grey background. Another striking note of colour was the bright red “rising sun” on t'h e white field of the naval ensigns flying at the stern of each ship. The golden chrysanthemums on the bows cf the cruisers are the Japanese Imperial badge. The Imperial standard of Japan is a golden chrysanthemum on a red field. It is essentia) that the chrysanthemum should invariably have sixteen petals. Heraldry in Japan is of a simpler character than that of Europe and is practically limited to the employment of “mon,” which correspond very nearly to the “crests” of European heraldry. The great families of Japan possess at least one, and in many cases even three “mon.” The Imperial family Use two, the Kiku mi-go iilon (the attgust chrysanthemum ci'est) alld the Kiri no-go fiidii (the august Kiri crest). The • first 1 Wfiftb sents the sixteeii-petalled chrysanthemum, and although, the use c-f that flower as a badge is not necessarily confined to the Imperial family, they alone have the right to use the six-teen-petalled form. If used by any other family, society or corporation, it must be with a number of petals less or more than sixteen. The second Imperial “mon” is composed of three leaves and three flower spikes of the Kiri (Paulownia imperialist This, however, is not displayed as an official emblem, that use being reserved for the chrysanthemum. The Kiri is used for more private purposes. By some Japanese authorities it is considered probable that the chrysanthemum crest did not originally represent that flower at all, hut the sun with sixteen rays. In the naval ensign of Japan the rising sun or “sunburst” has sixteen rays. In the flag

of the Japanese merchant marine, which will be seen to-dav at Wellington flying on board the motor-ship Me!bo''r’'o Mam, the red ball of the son is used without the rays and is placed in the centre of the white field. As a lover of pets the Japanese sailor is very like the average British sailor, Both the Asama and the Iwate are carrying large numbers of parrots and cockatoos, and other birds, not to mention several wallabies from Australia, The first visit of a Japanese naval training ship to Wellington was made nearly 40 years ago. On February 8 1883, the corvette Riugio, a vessel of 1459 tons, built pilot engined ill England, arrived at Wellington direct J i‘otti Shinagawa, Japan, after a passage of 50 cln vs, made partly under sail It is interesting to record that the shi.p was commanded by Captain Ito, whose third lieutenant was Togo, probably the great Admiral Togo, who at the advanced age of 85 years is living in honourable retirement. The Biugio carried a complement of 378 officers and men, including 27 cadets. A ter spending some weeks at Wellington, the ship sailed for Peru.