Mianguan

Benkan (冕冠) is a Crown worn by Emperors, Emperor of Japans and kings in the East Asian cultural sphere countries of East Asia.

Overview
Benkan is a type of crown originally from China, which was worn by Emperor to the rank of lord or above in China. In Japan, it has been used as a crown for emperors since ancient times, but the details of its origin are unknown. It is also used in Vietnam. and the monarchs of the Korean Peninsula also use Benkans.

Benkan
The Benkan is a type of ceremonial crown in Japan, also known as the Emperor's ceremonial crown, and was once used together with Mianfu (imperial robes) in ceremonies such as accession to the throne and morning prayers. In Kojidan, it is said that "the crown at the time of the Imperial Festival is that of Emperor Ōjin" and that the crown of Emperor Ōjin was used at the Imperial Festival until the Heian and Kamakura periods, but it has not been handed down to the present.

Among the Shōsōin treasures, there is a Benkan worn by Emperor Shōmu that has been damaged and is called "Onkamuri Zanketsu". The crown does not retain its original form, but there are metal openwork pieces with phoenix, clouds and arabesque patterns, as well as pearls, coral and glass beads threaded through the crown.

The Benkan worn by Japanese emperors is often referred to as a "Tang-style crown", but it is actually quite different from the Benkan worn in China. The Benkan worn by the emperor in the Edo period consists of a metal frame placed on top of an openwork gilt-bronze base called the "heavenly crown", with forty-eight jewels hanging from the edge of the frame, twelve on each side.

The painting Silken Painting of Emperor Go-Daigo prominently displays the Benkan of Emperor Go-Daigo which is said to be the crown of Jimmu

The crown differs greatly from the Chinese crown in that there is a bright vermillion sun decoration protruding from the front of the crown.. The crown has twelve tassels spread across all sides rather than merely two as in the Chinese form (six strands as only two sides of the crown are shown in the image), indicating that this is the crown used by the emperor when he is dressed in formal attire..

The Benkan was used until the coronation of Emperor Kōmei, but since Emperor Meiji, the Benkan has been replaced by a Kanmuri, as the government reformed the coronation to be more Shinto based rather than Chinese inspired

Hokan crown (Empress)


The crown of an Empress is called a Hokan (宝冠). Whether it can be considered as a type of Benkan or a different type of crown is a matter of opinion.

The Order of the Precious Crown, established in 1888 (the 21st year of the Meiji) to be awarded to women, is a reference to this, and the center of the insignia is decorated with the image of a precious Hokan.

Mian guan (China)
In China, the Benkan is worn by the emperor and the court nobles and above. A rectangular wooden board called the Benkan board is placed on top of the Benkan, with fulls hanging from the front and back of the Benkan board. The number of tassels depends on the status of the wearer, and the Benkan of the emperor has 12 tassels at the front and back, for a total of 24 tassels. In addition, there is a large crown without fulls that is used by the emperor to worship heaven and earth.

In addition there is the Nine-tasselled Crown. Worn by dukes and crown prince's servants.

Eight-tasselled Crown. Worn by princes and dukes. Qiliu mian (七旒冕): Seven-tasselled Crown. Worn by ministers. Wuiu mian (五旒冕): Five-tasselled Crown. Worn by viscounts and barons.

Structure

 * 1) Extension
 * 2) Tianhe Belt
 * 3) Cap and roll
 * 4) Tassels
 * 5) Ears
 * 6) tail
 * 7) Wu (武)
 * 8) jade hairpin

Related items
Since China is a crown-wearing culture, there were many crowns for different ranks, positions, and times.


 * Feng Guan - a crown worn by an empress (e.g. 凤冠 (定陵) - crowns of Empress Xiao Danxian and Empress Dowager Xiao Jing excavated from the Dingling site, 2 each)

Mịn quán (Vietnam)
The Chinese-style Benkan was also used in Vietnam.