Original Items; Only One Set Available. This is a set of World War Two and World War One Medals all offered in very good condition. Many of them even come with their original cases, and make a great translation & research project. These are all contained in a nice bring back box, though we do not know if it is Japanese in origin.

This set of 9 Medals & awards consists of:

- Japanese Taisho Emperor Enthronement Medal with Ribbon in Partial Case. The Taisho Emperor actually ascended to the throne upon the death of his father in 1912. The enthronement ceremonies, though, were held in 1915. This medal commemorates that event, and it was freely issued to people throughout the country who participated in the celebration ceremonies. However, it doesn't seem to be as common as the later Showa Emperor Enthronement Commemorative of 1928. The gold mum crest is an attached piece.
OBVERSE: Imperial banners with 'Banzai' written within each. Branches of cherry and orange blossoms.
REVERSE: Inscribed 'Taisho 4 [1915] November, Enthronement Commemorative Medal.'

- Japanese Showa Emperor Enthronement Medal with Ribbon in Original Case. This medal was awarded to commemorate the formal enthronement of the Showa Emperor (Hirohito) in November, 1928. He actually became emperor as soon as his father, the Taisho Emperor, died in December, 1926, but these elaborate ceremonies always seem to be held a few years afterwards. Authorized by Imperial Edict #188 dated August 1, 1928, the obverse of this special silver commemorative displays a chrysanthemum crest in gilt attached to the center of the Imperial throne. On each side of the throne is a cloud symbolizing good fortune. The characters “Banzai!” are at the bottom, which translate to “May the Empire live for ten thousand years!”

- Japanese Order of the Sacred Treasure 7th Class Medal with Ribbon and Button in original case. 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. From 1888 to 2003 it was awarded in 8 classes, with a gold-striped very pale blue ribbon. Originally a male-only decoration, the order has been made available to women since 1919; it is awarded for both civil and military merit, though of a lesser degree than that required for the conferment of the Order of the Rising Sun.

- WW2 Japanese Red Cross Workers Silver Medal with Ribbon & Rosette. This example is in excellent condition, showing little wear.

- WW2 Japanese Red Cross Workers Silver Medal with Ribbon. This example shows significant wear, both on the medal and the ribbon.

- Japanese China Incident War Dispatch Medal with Ribbon in original Case
This is perhaps the most commonly found Japanese medal. Millions were made for those who served in China and it seems that this medal was awarded to just about every soldier no matter where he served. The medal was established in 1939 and abolished in 1946. Bronze with a swivel grip.
OBVERSE: Crossed flags, Imperial mum crest, and a crow.
REVERSE: Mountains, clouds, and waves. Inscribed 'China Incident.'

- Japanese Large Imperial Reservists Association Badge. All men in Japan who had passed the medical to join the service were eligible to join the Imperial Reservists’ Association (IRA), even if they were not actually selected to serve. The rear pin is broken off, and the silver wash is faded.

- Japanese Small Imperial Reservists Association Badge in Original Case. A small version of the above badge, with a nickel body and attached golden star. The back of this one has two columns of characters. The right column is the name of the organization in Japanese, teikoku zaigo gunjinkai. The left column says kai-in ki-sho, or “member’s badge”. In the rural areas where most Japanese lived before the war, the IRA assumed, which contained almost all the able-bodied local males, came to take over most local service duties and hence earned enormous support for the military in these areas.

- Japanese Small Gold Imperial Reservists Association Badge with Purple Rosette in Original Case. This is a more upmarket version of the above badge, in gold with a purple ribbon rosette.