It's Good to Be the Prince

Nearing the end of our review of some of the armorial plates of members of the Order of the Elephant in Frederiksborg Castle, Denmark, here are a few members of the Order from some far-flung places around the globe.

First, we have the armorial plaque of Akihito, Crown Prince of Japan (created a member of the Order of the Elephant in 1953). He was later the 125th emperor of Japan from 1989 until 2019. The "heraldry" here is of course the sixteen-petalled chrysanthemum mon of the Emperor of Japan.

Next we have the plaque of Takahito, Prince Mikasa Japan (created a member of the Order in 1957).  He was the fourth and youngest son of Emperor Taisho, and the youngest brother of Emperor Hirohito. The "heraldry" on this plaque is a variation of the chrysanthemum mon of the Emperor, with only fourteen petals, and (in saltire) four chrysanthemums in profile and leaf designs between them.

Next is the plaque of Chumbhot Rongse Paribatra, Prince of Thailand (created a member of the Order in 1952). Like the other plates of members of the Order from Thailand that we have seen earlier, this "shield" is not truly heraldic per se.

And finally for today, we have the symbol-laden (if only quasi-heraldic) plaque of Asfa Wossen Haile Selassie (1916-1997) (born Asfaw Wossen Tafari, son of Haile Selassie (himself born Tafari Makonnen)), Crown Prince of Ethiopia (created a member of the Order in 1970). He was later (1989-1997) His Imperial Majesty Emperor Amha Selassie I, Elect of God, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah and King of Kings of Ethiopia.

Ah, to be born a prince!

Proof Once Again

A co-worker of my wife recently took a trip to Japan, and came back with proof positive that something I have said many times is still true: "You can find heraldry everywhere!"  Even in countries without a strong heraldic tradition (with the exception of their own system of clan and family insignia, mon), like Japan.

Anyway, on one of his receipts from there, he found the following "coat of arms:"

It's from "The Akao Resort Dukedom," which is, as their website explains, "located in the heart of nature Nishikiga-Ura enclosed by the sea and the mountain, and consists of two hotels of 'Hotel New Akao' and 'Royal wing' and four facilities of 'Akao Herb & Rose Garden' and 'Akao Beach Resort' on a vast site of about 750,000m2. It is resort that genuine nature outspread before you."  http://www.i-akao.com/foreign_en/aboutus.html

If I had to blazon it, it would be something along the lines of: Argent two spears in saltire between in chief a sun in his splendor, in dexter a rose, in sinister an eagle rising, and in base a mermaid issuant from waves of the sea in base Azure.

Who'd have thought of looking for heraldry, or at least a coat of arms-like logo, in Japan?  It's true; you can find heraldry everywhere!

Heraldry, Vexillology, and ... Sumo Wrestling?

An article in The Japan Times of February 20, 2009 (http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ss20090220mb.html) has a great photograph by Mark Buckton of part of the ring-entering ceremony where the sumo wrestlers all stand in the circle, each wearing his patron’s (I assume) mon. In the circle and the photograph is makunouchi wrestler Kokkai, who is from Georgia (the one in Asia, not the one in North America). He is wearing the national flag of Georgia. (I have no idea where the gold eagle behind the flag comes from. The arms of Georgia are St. George on horseback killing the dragon, with golden lions supporting the shield. Nary an eagle in sight there.)

What a great use, and display, of heraldry and vexillology (flags), though! Oh, yeah, and really big sumo wrestlers.