The three sacred imperial treasures are composed of Yata-no-Kagami mirror, Yasakani-no-Magatama (comma-shaped jewel) and Ama-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi sword, each of which is enshrined in the Kyuchu-sanden (three sacred shrines in the imperial palace) including Kashiko-dokoro where the Yata-no-Kagami mirror is stored, while all of which, both jewels and shrines, are succeeded by the new emperor and the above said Kenji ceremony is held as a ritual for succession of Yasakani-no-Magatama and Ama-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi sword.
三種の神器は八咫鏡・八尺瓊勾玉・天叢雲剣で構成されるが、その内八咫鏡は祀られている賢所を含む宮中三殿を相続する事によって受継ぎ、八尺瓊勾玉・天叢雲剣を受継ぐ儀式が剣璽となる。