Japan's highest and most exclusive order, established in 1877 by the Meiji emperor, awarded mainly to members of Japan's royal family and to foreign royalty or heads of state. The order has only one class and is exclusively for men.

The badge consists of a white enameled star with 32 rays edged in gold with a central cabochon garnet surrounded by a gold band. Four small silver chrysanthemums placed between green leaves encircle the garnet. The medal is suspended from a large, gold-rimmed likeness of a chrysanthemum.