The Kyoto Prize Medal and Diploma

The medal presented to the laureates in honor of their achievements was designed by Yoshiyuki Chosa (1915-2002), a metalworking artisan and recipient of Japan’s Order of Culture award. The design represents the fusion of eternal nature and science as the foundation of human happiness.

Weighing 250.5g, it is made of 20K gold, and is adorned with four recrystallized emeralds* (4.56 ct.) and four recrystallized rubies* (6.88 ct.) around its perimeter. At the center of the medal is a camphor tree, a symbol of nature, eternity and perpetuity since ancient times. The reverse side is engraved with the laureate's name and the year of the award.



The diploma measures 34.5cm by 63cm (about 13.5 x 24.8"), with a fold in the center. The category, year and laureate's name appear on the right; on the left is a calligraphic inscription in the hand of His Holiness Giho Nishikata, the 670th  master and president of the Myoshin-ji Temple school of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism.
Each year's inscription, generally a pertinent Chinese proverb, is selected by His Holiness Nishikata in consideration of that year's laureates. His Holiness Nishikata has written the Kyoto Prize diplomas since the award's inception.

*Inamori gemstones, a line of recrystallized gems with a chemical composition identical to natural gems, are created by Kyocera Corporation using an orginal, highly advanced process.