Item:
ONSV23CWC105

Original Imperial Japanese Cased Military Medals of Honor Lot - 7 Medals

Item Description

Original Items: Only One Set of 4 Available. Military Medal of Honor (従軍記章, jūgun kishō) was a military decoration for meritorious service to the Empire of Japan, formerly awarded to all military personnel who participated in battles in a war. These war medals and accompanying certificates specifically identify the conflict for which the decoration will have been awarded.

These decorations were effectively abolished during the Allied Occupation of Japan in the post-war years (1945–1951). The plausible re-institution of a modern equivalent was made unlikely by the adoption of Japan's post-war Constitution which disavows the right of the state to engage in aggressive war; but on-going political pressure for an amendment to Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution renders that prospect marginally possible.

This Lot Includes:
- Order of the Rising Sun, 7th Class: The Order of the Rising Sun was the first of Japan's official orders, established in 1875. It has nine classes, the highest being the 1st Class Rising Sun Order of the Paulownia Flowers. The lower-class medals, including the 6th, 7th, and 8th class medals, would have been awarded to military personnel for exceptional service or merit. The medal is a sterling silver medal with green and purple enamel with red and white ribbon.

- Order of the Sacred Treasure 8th Class: The Order of the Sacred Treasure (瑞宝章, Zuihō-shō) is a Japanese order, established on 4 January 1888 by Emperor Meiji as the Order of Meiji. Originally awarded in eight classes (from 8th to 1st, in ascending order of importance), since 2003 it has been awarded in six classes, the lowest two medals being abolished that year. Originally a male-only decoration, the order has been made available to women since 1919.

The Order of the Sacred Treasure, which had 8 ranks until 2003, was awarded as a slightly lower rank than the Order of the Rising Sun for men and the Order of the Precious Crown for women. For example, the 1st class of the Order of the Sacred Treasure has been treated as between the 1st class and the 2nd class of the Order of the Rising Sun and the Order of the Precious Crown, and the 2nd class of the Order of the Sacred Treasure has been treated as between the 2nd class and the 3rd class of the Order of the Rising Sun and the Order of the Precious Crown.

Since 2003, the Order of the Sacred Treasure has been given the same rank as the Order of the Rising Sun. The Order of the Rising Sun is awarded with an emphasis on achievements to the state, and the Order of the Sacred Treasure is awarded with an emphasis on long-term public service. Since military achievements are not included in the criteria for awarding the Order of the Rising Sun, Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel are awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure for their long service in public service. For example, the Chief of Staff, Joint Staff, the highest rank in the JSDF, receives the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure (1st class). The Order of the Sacred Treasure is awarded to persons who have been engaged for many years in the public service of the national and local governments, or in the following non-public services that are equivalent to public service, and who have accumulated distinguished service.

- The 1937-45 China Incident War Medal: The China Incident Medal was established by Imperial Edit No. 496 on July 27, 1939 and awarded for service in China at any time from the 12th through the 20th years of the Shōwa period (1937–1945).

An amendment was promulgated by Imperial Edict No. 418 in 1944, and the decoration was abolished in 1946 by government ordinance No. 177. Although the Japanese government still uses “China Incident” in formal documents, media in Japan often paraphrase it with other expressions like Japan-China Incident (日華事変, Nikka jihen) or (日支事変, Nisshi jihen).

The obverse shows crossed flags, the imperial mum crest, and a crow. The reverse shows mountains, clouds, and waves, as well as the inscription ‘China Incident.’ The ribbon is 37mm wide, watered, of 3 mm blue (the sea and the Navy), 7.5 mm tan (the soil of China, for the Army), 3.5 mm dark pink (the bloodstained soil of China), and 2 mm bright red (blood and loyalty).

- Japanese Showa Emperor Enthronement Medal: The medal is in lovely condition with minor wear and patina.The Showa Enthronement Commemorative Medal was created to celebrate the ascension of Emperor Hirohito (the Showa Emperor) to the throne, who did so upon the death of his father in 1926. The enthronement ceremonies were held in 1928. The medal was freely issued to people throughout the country who participated in the celebration ceremonies.

Some Showa Enthronement medals were struck in sharper relief, with the small gold chrysanthemum crest as an attached piece. The ribbon was apparently designed from the drapes of the enthronement pavilion.

The obverse shows the imperial throne with the words ‘Banzai‘ written below. Cherry and orange blossoms surround the ring. The reverse has cloud shapes and an inscription reading ‘Showa 3 [1928] November, Enthronement Commemorative Medal.‘

- x2 Russo-Japanese War Medal: The Russo-Japanese War Medal is a unique Japanese medal, jūgun kishō. It was established on March 31, 1906 by Imperial Edict No. 51 in recognition of those who served in the Russo-Japanese War during the 37th and 38th years of the Meiji period (1904–1905).

The Russo-Japanese War was fought between the Russian Empire and the Empire of Japan over rival imperial ambitions in Manchuria and Korea. The major theaters of operations were the Liaodong Peninsula and Mukden in Southern Manchuria and the seas around Korea, Japan and the Yellow Sea.

- Pre-WWI Taisho Enthronement Commemorative Medal: The Taisho Enthronement Commemorative Medal was created to celebrate the ascension of the Taisho Emperor to the throne, who did so upon the death of his father in 1912. The enthronement ceremonies, however, were held in 1915.

The medal was freely issued to people throughout the country who participated in the celebration ceremonies. It was issued in a men’s and a women’s version.

The obverse of the medal shows imperial banners with ‘Banzai’ written within each. Branches of cherry and orange blossoms. The reverse has the inscription ‘Taisho 4 [1915] November, Enthronement Commemorative Medal.’

It is said that the ribbon was designed from the drapes of the outdoor pavilion used in the ceremonies.

All medals are in lovely condition but show tarnishing, age and some fraying present on the ribbons. Comes more than ready for further research and display.

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