Editing Flag of Japan (section)

===Imperial flags===
[[File:Flag of the Japanese Emperor.svg|thumb|alt=A golden flower centered on a red background|{{FIAV|normal}} The standard of the Japanese Emperor]]

Beginning in 1870, flags were created for the Japanese Emperor (then [[Emperor Meiji]]), the Empress, and other members of the imperial family.<ref name="Fujitani 1996 48-49">{{Harvnb|Fujitani|1996|pp=48–49}}</ref> At first, the Emperor's flag was ornate, with a sun resting in the center of an artistic pattern. He had flags that were used on land, at sea, and when he was in a carriage. The imperial family was also granted flags to be used at sea and while on land (one for use on foot and one carriage flag). The carriage flags were a monocolored [[chrysanthemum]], with 16 petals, placed in the center of a monocolored background.<ref name="reg651" /> These flags were discarded in 1889 when the Emperor decided to use the chrysanthemum on a red background as his flag. With minor changes in the color shades and proportions, the flags adopted in 1889 are still in use by the imperial family.<ref>{{Harvnb|Matoba|1901|pp=180–181}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Takahashi|1903|pp=180–181}}</ref>

The current Emperor's flag is a {{nihongo|16-petal chrysanthemum|菊花紋|Kikkamon}}, colored in gold, centered on a red background with a 2:3 ratio. The Empress uses the same flag, except the shape is that of a swallow tail. The crown prince and the crown princess use the same flags, except with a smaller chrysanthemum and a white border in the middle of the flags.<ref name="impja">{{vcite web |url=http://homepage1.nifty.com/gyouseinet/kenpou/koushitsu/koushitsugiseirei.htm |title=皇室儀制令 |trans_title=Imperial System |language=Japanese |access-date=2 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208161723/http://homepage1.nifty.com/gyouseinet/kenpou/koushitsu/koushitsugiseirei.htm |archive-date=8 December 2008 |df= }}</ref> The chrysanthemum has been associated with the Imperial throne since the rule of [[Emperor Go-Toba]] in the 12th century, but it did not become the exclusive [[Imperial Seal of Japan|symbol of the Imperial throne]] until 1868.<ref name="Fujitani 1996 48-49" />