What to call the symbol of authority?

[Drakhov]

One of my WIPs is set in a land with a society based on that of Feudal Japan - there will be Samurai (and Ronin), Ninjas, warrior monks and so on, and will be ruled by an Emperor (although his decrees will of course be 'interpreted' by his advisors).

I'm looking for ideas / inspiration on what to name the literal 'seat of authority' which will be evocative of this setting / theme.

The Jade Throne is what came to mind initially, as well as Lotus Throne (though this has religious connotations in Buddhist and Hindu traditions) and Chrysanthemum Throne (which is i think how the actual Imperial Throne of Japan is known).

Dragon Throne (and by extension Dragon Empire and Dragon Court) sound pretty cool but are maybe too cliche.

I like the sound of The Crysanthemum Court as an institution and the mechanism of government, so for example we might hear the phrases;

"...to take His rightful place upon the Jade Throne." (referring to someones ascension to Emperor-hood), and "The intrigues / fashions of the Chrysanthemum Court."

Are there any other ideas that my fellow Scribes might have?

 

[San Cidolfus]

Well, Dragon Throne comes straight from China, as does the original model for the ruling system of feudal Japan. Although historically the shogunate had the power in Japan; the emperors were little more than figureheads for much of the feudal period. The shoguns still received their position formally from the emperor, but it was all lip-service. Shoguns controlled the military, and the emperor knew the reality of the situation. But men in those times were quite talented at understanding political realities without openly acknowledging them.

I do realize that rant doesn't actually respond to your inquiry, but nevertheless, I delivered it.

 

[Queshire]

The Japanese Emperors were said to be descended from the Sun Goddess Amatersu, So maybe something like that? Sun Throne, Dawn Throne, Golden Throne, Palace of the Sun, Emperor of Light, etc, and so on.

Bonus points if he's actually a bastard having a Light is Not Good connotation ^^

 

[zizban]

I like Emperor of Light myself. I can use so many ways he could he referred to. "The Light bless us before battle!", etc.

 

[Ravana]

Try combining symbol and substance… literally. "Jade Dragon," for instance. Drop the word "throne"—everybody in that culture would know what it was; besides, to me at least, it gives the implication of more than just the chair… it becomes evocative of the whole system of authority. Ivory Lotus, Lapis Falcon, Porphyry Tiger. Alabaster Chrysanthemum, if you don't mind piling up that many syllables. You could even take advantage of an ambiguity here, and call it Serpentine [whatever]—serpentine being a stone commonly confused with (and passed off as) jade.

Could be the throne isn't made completely out of the substance, but is noted for a particular feature; this would give you access to a host of gems that might ornament it: Cinnabar Watch, for the "eyes" that look out past the emperor's head.

Or, instead of "throne," use another location-type name, combining its implications with those of authority: "eyrie," suggesting he who sits it sees all about him like an eagle; "tower, keep, donjon," places of strength and security (though "Ivory Tower" is right out… ); "mountain"—arrogant, yes, but we are talking monarchs here.

Alternately, you could combine a bit of false humility with a suggestion of divine mandate: "Footstool of Heaven," perhaps. Or even more poetic and esoteric, "Seat of Rain." Dispense with the false humility, and get something like "Font/Fountain of [Mercy, Benevolence, Justice, Order, Success, Righeousness]." Avoiding "Font of Wisdom" would probably be… well, wise. (I'm tempted to combine a reference to compass directions here and suggest "Font of Eight Points." But that's just me. )

 

[Drakhov]

Or, instead of "throne," use another location-type name, combining its implications with those of authority: "eyrie," suggesting he who sits it sees all about him like an eagle; "tower, keep, donjon," places of strength and security (though "Ivory Tower" is right out… ); "mountain"—arrogant, yes, but we are talking monarchs here.

Alternately, you could combine a bit of false humility with a suggestion of divine mandate: "Footstool of Heaven," perhaps. Or even more poetic and esoteric, "Seat of Rain." Dispense with the false humility, and get something like "Font/Fountain of [Mercy, Benevolence, Justice, Order, Success, Righeousness]." Avoiding "Font of Wisdom" would probably be… well, wise. (I'm tempted to combine a reference to compass directions here and suggest "Font of Eight Points." But that's just me. )

I want to avoid being too abstract here, and just apply a descriptor to the thing themselves, something evocative of the East / Orient - i like Ivory, that's one i didn't think of - Ivory Throne (Ebon / Ebony too). Or how about Porcelain Throne ?

I like a lot of those ideas, they would be cool to use for the interminable titles these guys tend to have - His Divine Majesty, Emperor of All, Light of Heaven, this of that etc...

 

[Ravana]

Change "Porcelain" to "Kaolin" and see if anyone catches on.

Or "Cowrie": people might think that refers to its shape (which it could), and would make the connection so obscure you'll easily be able to respond personally to the half-dozen people who work it out. Me, I absolutely love making jokes no one else gets.…

"His Most Exalted Supreme Imperial Majesty, Emperor of Oya, Touchstone of the Glorious Heavens, Left Hand of the Sun, Supporter of the Ten Thousand Stars, Anointed Messenger, Wielder of the Ametrine Scepter of Bechadongesu, Keeper of the Porphyry Tablets, Sole Permissible Utterer of the Nineteen Words, Unexcelled Plowman of the Land of Right Soil, Lord of Abundant Dragonflies" [go ahead: see who gets that], "Whose Navel Is a Cornucopia" [eww], "Eternal Font of Ambergris" [ick], "Master of Cormorants" [huh?], "Ineluctable Illuminater of Elusive Alliterative Luminous Allusions, Concealer of the Carborundum Conundrum…" uhm, hang on a minute… "Confuser of Foes…" et al.… "Decliner of the Vocative, Absolute of Superlatives…" wait… "Connotation of Semiotics, Negater of Enigmas…" ehh… "Transposer of the Keys, Lama of Llamas…" no, I'm sure there's something more… "the Omnipotent Ãœberpadimahabeylitsardri…" –oh, frag, now I forgot his bloody name. I am so going to be beheaded.…

 

[Drakhov]

Change "Porcelain" to "Kaolin" and see if anyone catches on.

Or "Cowrie": people might think that refers to its shape (which it could), and would make the connection so obscure you'll easily be able to respond personally to the half-dozen people who work it out. Me, I absolutely love making jokes no one else gets.…

"His Most Exalted Supreme Imperial Majesty, Emperor of Oya, Touchstone of the Glorious Heavens, Left Hand of the Sun, Supporter of the Ten Thousand Stars, Anointed Messenger, Wielder of the Ametrine Scepter of Bechadongesu, Keeper of the Porphyry Tablets, Sole Permissible Utterer of the Nineteen Words, Unexcelled Plowman of the Land of Right Soil, Lord of Abundant Dragonflies" [go ahead: see who gets that], "Whose Navel Is a Cornucopia" [eww], "Eternal Font of Ambergris" [ick], "Master of Cormorants" [huh?], "Ineluctable Illuminater of Elusive Alliterative Luminous Allusions, Concealer of the Carborundum Conundrum…" uhm, hang on a minute… "Confuser of Foes…" et al.… "Decliner of the Vocative, Absolute of Superlatives…" wait… "Connotation of Semiotics, Negater of Enigmas…" ehh… "Transposer of the Keys, Lama of Llamas…" no, I'm sure there's something more… "the Omnipotent Ãœberpadimahabeylitsardri…" —oh, frag, now I forgot his bloody name. I am so going to be beheaded.…

Reminds me of this