the Three Sacred Treasures (Mirror, Sword and Jewels):菊竹若狭 (Kikutake Wakasa)
CC BY-SA 4.0
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%E4%B8%89%E7%A8%AE%E3%81%AE%E7%A5%9E%E5%99%A8_1200x1200.png
In Japanese mythology, the Three Sacred Treasures are the three treasures that Amaterasu (the Great Sun Goddess) bestowed upon Ninigi (Ninigi-no-Mikoto) during the Descent of the Heavenly Grandchild.
They refer to the Yata Mirror, the Sword of the Heavens (Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi), and the Yasakani-no-Magatama.
Upon the Emperor’s accession to the throne, possession of the Yasakani no Magatama, as well as replicas of the mirror and the sword, is considered proof of the Emperor’s legitimacy as the rightful heir to the Imperial House, and these are inherited simultaneously with the succession to the throne. However, since this is not a mandatory requirement, there have been instances in the past where individuals ascended to the throne without inheriting them.
The photograph is an artist’s rendering. The actual artifacts are not on public display, and it is considered taboo even for the Emperor and Shinto priests to view them.
