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Chrysanthemum Throne is the common name given to the Imperial throne of
Japan. The chrysanthemum (kiku in Japanese) is the coat of arms of the
Japanese Emperor.
The Chrysanthemum throne is the oldest monarchy in the world. It is said
that the Empire of Japan was founded in 660BC by the Emperor Jimmu Tenno and
his descendents continue to reign today; the current Emperor Akhito (Heisei
Tenno) who is the direct 125th descendant of Jimmu. Despite the fact that
there has been eight Empresses, under Japanese Imperial law (promulgated by
the Imperial Household Agency and the Privy Council) woman cannot reign as
sovereign.
The Japanese monarchy is highly traditional and modern at the same time.
The Emperor, the Tenno (Heavenly sovereign) acts as a high priest in the
Shinto faith, although his divine power was renounced after WW2.
Under the provisions of the current Japanese constitution the Emperor is
a symbol of the state and the unity of the people; he has no real political
power. Despite this there still exist people who would like to see the
Emperor's power increase, these monarchists come in the form of politicians,
Shinto fanatics and Yakuza gangsters.
The Emperor of Japan is the only Emperor left in the world, so his
position is of historical importance not only to Japan but indeed to the
world.
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