The Western Regional Button Association (WRBA.us) is a nonprofit where collectors of sewing buttons come together to share stories and discoveries. In 2022, a WRBA member based in Japan alerted me to a Japanese beachcomber’s blog post featuring a remarkable find: a glass button with an intricate cherry blossom design.The Glass Button’s Enigmatic History

At first glance, the button’s design seemed familiar. Cherry blossoms are a common motif in Japan, often appearing on grade school uniform buttons. However, this find stood out—it was made of glass, not the typical metal. Even more intriguing were the three characters marked on the back: 君が代 (Kimi Ga Yo), which translates as “Your Majesty’s Era.”

Kimi Ga Yo is Japan’s national anthem. Its lyrics originate from a 12th-century anthology of poems, the Kokin Wakashū, and celebrate the longevity of a revered leader:

君が代 (Kimi Ga Yo)
Your Majesty’s Time
for thousands,
and thousands
of generations —
as small pebbles become
Rock Majestic —
and on grows moss.

In this poetic context, Kimi refers to a revered figure, a master or lord. The pronoun still carries endearing connotations today, often used to affectionately address a loved one. Ga is a grammatical particle connecting Kimi and Yo, which means “era” or “generation.” Thus, the phrase suggests an enduring legacy, a sentiment that echoes throughout Japanese history and culture.

Wartime Necessity and the Cherry Blossom Motif

US Strategic Bombing of Tokyo and Miura Peninsula 1944-1945, (Public Domain)

During World War II, Japan faced severe material shortages. A nationwide metal scrap drive meant that essential items, like school uniform buttons, were made from crude pottery instead of metal. This glass button, likely from the same era, raises questions about its origin: Was it crafted in a glass factory to compensate for the lack of metal? Which school used it? And what events led to it being washed ashore decades later?

The button was discovered in 2008 on the western side of the Miura Peninsula, opposite Tokyo and near the Yokosuka US Naval Base. This location was subjected to heavy bombing near the end of the war. Alongside the button, remnants of ceramic hand grenades and land mines were also found—evidence of the peninsula’s turbulent history.

Ceramic hand grenades washed up on the Miura Peninsula in 2012, Photo courtesy: 拾い物 (found in nature)

WWI Ceramic canning lid, courtesy of 花鳥風月のヒロイモノ

A Bottle and a New Interpretation

Adding to the mystery, the beachcomber found another artifact: a glass bottle with Kimi Ga Yo embossed on its front, used for grey hair dye. The label’s choice of words raises intriguing questions. In this context, Kimi could be interpreted as an endearing term used by a lover to address a woman, suggesting a new twist in meaning: “Your Time in Life.” The shift in interpretation showcases the flexibility and emotional depth of the phrase, even when applied to everyday objects.

A Legacy of Continuity

The title “He Shall Reign” evokes the powerful line from Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus—“And He shall reign forever and ever.” The enduring nature of both Kimi Ga Yo and Handel’s refrain invites reflection on themes of continuity, reverence, and cultural legacy. Despite being rooted in different places and eras, these two expressions share an enduring resonance.

In the 21st century, the connection takes on new dimensions. At the 2008 World Figure Skating Championships in Göteborg, Sweden, Swedish singers performed an a cappella rendition of Kimi Ga Yo during the Ladies’ Medal Ceremony. In this performance, the song transcended its original national context, connecting audiences across time and cultures with its universal message of endurance and continuity.

The discovery of a glass button bearing Kimi Ga Yo, washed ashore and preserved by chance, is a testament to the enduring power of words, symbols, and cultural memory. From a wartime artifact to a curious glass bottle, each find tells a story of resilience, transformation, and an ever-present thread linking past and present.

He Shall Reign—forever and ever—through words, symbols, and time.

As a button collector, I was intrigued by the beachcomber’s discovery and caught the bug myself. In early 2023, with the help of my sister and my button friend in Japan, I found an old box of electroplated glass uniform buttons, some bearing the same back mark.