The Three Sacred Treasures of Japan
Origin, history, and symbolism
The Three Sacred Treasures of Japan, also known as the Regalia or Imperial Jewels (三種の神器, Sanshu no Jingi), are a set of three objects—the mirror (Yata no Kagami), the sword (Kusanagi no Tsurugi), and the jewel (Yasakani no Magatama)—that hold immense cultural, spiritual, and historical significance in Japan. According to Shinto mythology, these treasures were bestowed upon the first Japanese emperor by the sun goddess Amaterasu, symbolizing the legitimacy and divine right of the Japanese imperial family. For over a millennium, they have served as both spiritual and political symbols, representing values essential to the Japanese people and their leaders.
Origins in Shinto mythology
The story of the Three Sacred Treasures originates in ancient Japanese mythology, specifically in the Kojiki (古事記, “Records of Ancient Matters”) and Nihon Shoki (日本書紀, “Chronicles of Japan”), both compiled in the early 8th century. In these texts, the sun goddess Amaterasu is said to have created the treasures as symbols of purity, courage, and wisdom to help her descendants govern Japan justly.
According to myth, Amaterasu granted these items to her grandson Ninigi-no-Mikoto when he descended to Earth to rule Japan. She entrusted him with the mission to establish peace and prosperity and passed down the treasures as symbols of his authority and divine origin. Ninigi eventually handed the treasures to his descendants, thus beginning the tradition of the Japanese imperial family as divinely chosen rulers.
The Three Treasures and their symbolism
Yata no Kagami (八咫鏡) - The Mirror
Description: The Yata no Kagami, meaning "Eight-Handed Mirror," is said to be a large, bronze mirror.
Symbolism: The mirror represents wisdom and self-reflection. In Shinto belief, mirrors are sacred because they reflect both the physical appearance and the spiritual self, allowing one to see themselves as they truly are. The Yata no Kagami is thus a reminder to rulers to govern with honesty, insight, and clarity.
Mythological origin: In the famous myth of Ama-no-Iwato (the Heavenly Rock Cave), Amaterasu withdrew from the world and hid inside a cave, plunging it into darkness. The gods used the Yata no Kagami to lure her out by showing her reflection, thereby bringing light back to the world. The mirror thus became a symbol of enlightenment and the divine light of Amaterasu.
Current location: The Yata no Kagami is kept at the Ise Grand Shrine (Ise Jingū) in Mie Prefecture, a shrine dedicated to Amaterasu. It is one of Japan’s most sacred Shinto sites, and only select priests are permitted to enter the inner sanctuary where the mirror is enshrined.
Kusanagi no Tsurugi (草薙剣) - The Sword
Description: Originally named Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi (天叢雲剣, “Heavenly Sword of Gathering Clouds”), it was later renamed Kusanagi no Tsurugi ("Grass-Cutting Sword").
Symbolism: The sword represents valor and courage. It is a symbol of the strength and bravery needed to protect the nation and its people.
Mythological origin: The Kusanagi sword has a fascinating origin in the tale of Susanoo, the storm god and brother of Amaterasu. After being exiled from heaven, Susanoo found a great serpent known as the Yamata-no-Orochi terrorizing a family. He killed the serpent, and from one of its tails, he discovered a magnificent sword, which he later presented to Amaterasu as a gesture of reconciliation. This sword eventually became Kusanagi and was passed down as a divine weapon to protect the imperial family and Japan.
Current location: The Kusanagi no Tsurugi is enshrined at the Atsuta Shrine (Atsuta Jingū) in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. While the physical sword is not visible to the public, it is revered and honored in ceremonies, and its presence signifies the enduring courage of the Japanese people.
Yasakani no Magatama (八尺瓊勾玉) - The Jewel
Description: The Yasakani no Magatama is a curved, comma-shaped bead, known as a magatama, made of jade or other precious stone.
Symbolism: The jewel represents benevolence and compassion, essential virtues for a just ruler. Magatama beads have been revered in Japan since prehistoric times, and their shape is believed to embody both the spiritual and the natural forces of the universe.
Mythological origin: The Yasakani no Magatama also plays a role in the myth of Amaterasu and the cave. Alongside the mirror, the gods used the jewel as a captivating item to draw Amaterasu out of the cave. It later became a symbol of the imperial family’s connection to the divine and their obligation to rule with kindness and empathy.
Current location: The Yasakani no Magatama is preserved in the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, where it remains part of the imperial regalia. The jewel is said to be presented during imperial enthronement ceremonies, linking the new emperor to Japan’s ancient lineage.
Historical significance and the role of the Treasures in Imperial Ceremonies
For centuries, the Three Sacred Treasures have symbolized the authority and legitimacy of the Japanese emperor, acting as physical manifestations of the divine right to rule. While the treasures themselves are not displayed publicly, they are believed to have played a central role in Japan’s most sacred rituals, particularly in the Sokui no Rei (即位の礼), the enthronement ceremony of each new emperor.
During the enthronement ceremony, the treasures are presented to the new emperor as a way of confirming his legitimacy and continuity with Japan’s divine heritage. Although it is unknown whether the original artifacts have survived, replicas or symbolic versions are still used in these rituals. The Three Treasures are kept in highly restricted, sacred spaces, and their presence is regarded as essential for maintaining the spiritual connection between the imperial family and the Japanese people.
Ceremony of succession of the sword and mirror, etc., in which the ‘three sacred objects’ and other items passed down with the Imperial Throne are handed over.
Symbolic and Cultural Legacy of the Three Treasures
The Three Sacred Treasures are more than historical artifacts; they encapsulate core values that define Japanese culture and governance. Wisdom, courage, and benevolence are seen as the foundational virtues necessary for a leader and are taught as essential qualities in various aspects of Japanese life, from education to martial arts.
The treasures have also permeated Japanese literature, art, and folklore. The phrase "Three Sacred Treasures" has become a metaphor in modern Japanese language, used to describe anything considered essential or invaluable. In contemporary Japanese society, the term may even be used to refer to prized household items, such as a television, refrigerator, and washing machine—things considered “sacred” or indispensable to everyday life.
The Three Sacred Treasures of Japan—Yata no Kagami, Kusanagi no Tsurugi, and Yasakani no Magatama—are emblematic of Japan’s ancient cultural and spiritual heritage. They represent the divine authority of the imperial family and embody the values of wisdom, courage, and compassion. The treasures connect Japan’s present with its mythological past, serving as a bridge between the physical world and the divine.
While the treasures themselves remain unseen by the public, their symbolism continues to hold immense significance in Japanese society, as a reminder of the values that sustain and unify the nation. The story of the Three Sacred Treasures endures, not just as myth but as a reflection of Japan’s enduring spirit, rooted in the wisdom, valor, and kindness that Amaterasu gifted to her descendants.