Sugari no Ontachi
Encyclopedia
is a sword which represents the regalia
of Japan
. It is being held at the Ise Shrine
in the Mie Prefecture
and only taken when a new emperor ascends to the throne. During this ceremony, a feather from a Crested Ibis
is also used. The last time the sword was taken out for ceremonial purposes in 1995, the endangered status of the Crested Ibis caused worry that the ceremony would also eventually be impossible, so a stock of feathers from the Crested Ibis was gathered for use until the year 2013.
It is said in legends that the blade was created after Susanoo
slew the serpent that ate maidens.
Regalia
Regalia is Latin plurale tantum for the privileges and the insignia characteristic of a Sovereign.The word stems from the Latin substantivation of the adjective regalis, 'regal', itself from Rex, 'king'...
of Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. It is being held at the Ise Shrine
Ise Shrine
is a Shinto shrine dedicated to goddess Amaterasu-ōmikami, located in the city of Ise in Mie prefecture, Japan. Officially known simply as , Ise Jingū is in fact a shrine complex composed of a large number of Shinto shrines centered on two main shrines, and ....
in the Mie Prefecture
Mie Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan which is part of the Kansai regions on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Tsu.- History :Until the Meiji Restoration, Mie prefecture was known as Ise Province and Iga Province....
and only taken when a new emperor ascends to the throne. During this ceremony, a feather from a Crested Ibis
Crested Ibis
The Crested Ibis , also known as the Japanese Crested Ibis or Toki , is a large , white-plumaged ibis of pine forests. Its head is partially bare, showing red skin, and it has a dense crest of white plumes on the nape. This species is the only member of the genus Nipponia.Their habitat is usually...
is also used. The last time the sword was taken out for ceremonial purposes in 1995, the endangered status of the Crested Ibis caused worry that the ceremony would also eventually be impossible, so a stock of feathers from the Crested Ibis was gathered for use until the year 2013.
It is said in legends that the blade was created after Susanoo
Susanoo
, also known as is the Shinto god of the sea and storms. He is also considered to be ruler of Yomi.-Myths:In Japanese mythology, Susanoo, the powerful storm of Summer, is the brother of Amaterasu, the goddess of the sun, and of Tsukuyomi, the god of the moon. All three were born from Izanagi, when...
slew the serpent that ate maidens.