fukuoka

Wow to the first medal… Both item and final price...

Very desirable badge! Worth a few dollars...

Very desirable badge! Worth a few dollars...

A bit more info and other badges shown here: http://imperialjapanmedalsandbadges.com/armamentsbadge.html

The kanji in question is 白 (shiro), which means 'white' as in the white kiri leaves. Hard to read because it is stylized. On the second case shown, it is the top kanji on the second column from the right. Best, Rich

Related badges here: http://imperialjapanmedalsandbadges.com/navalinstitute.html

The medal is not always on display at the Shuseikan. I made a special trip down there thinking it was part of the permanent display, but they only had a photo. I asked to see the original (there were no other visitors at that time), but the lady told me it was 'difficult,' which means impossible in Japan.

Otani Buddhist organization badge. Check Wikipedia for Otani info. Best, Rich

'South Korea Hwarang Military Merit Medal.' Hwarang: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hwarang Sorry but I know nothing about this medal. Just translated as I see it. I may be in error. If I am correct, this would date after 1948.

Cheers. Thanks for the kind words. Best, Rich

Check out my medals website. Lots of good pictures and assorted info throughout the site. The newsletters were pdf files and they are sold in my website store. http://imperialjapanmedalsandbadges.com

There were three main private manufacturers of the orders up until 1929: Hirata Haruyuki (平田春行) Namikawa Sousuke (濤川惣助) Ohki Souho (大木宗保) The 'na' hallmark most likely belonged to Namikawa. If you have my medals newsletter of 2012, I wrote about this in issue #7 and included a short bio of Namikawa.

I can only speculate, but I think you're right. Not just the actual drafters of the document, but possibly extending to anyone on the team, so to speak.

In commemoration of the new 1947 National Constitution. Nice find! The constitution was officially approved in 1947, but it was drafted earlier. I wonder who would've received this… Because of the inscription, we can be sure that this would not have been awarded under the Medals of Honor system as I mentioned earlier. WIKIPEDIA: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_Japan

The imperial mum cups (both silver and wood) as well as the kiri leaves cups were officially awarded in the Medals of Honor category. There were 5 sizes of silver mum cups, and sets of 3 as well as single cups were given. Many specific details are in my ebook on Medals of Honor (shameless plug). Here is a section detailing some who received the silver mum cups: 1 Someone who has exhibited long years of public service, but has done nothing extraordinary that would merit a medal. For example, one who has been a priest in a temple for many years, one who has been involved in education for a long time, etc. 2 Someone who has received a medal and then done something afterwards that was distinguished but not special enough to warrant a step in rank to the next higher medal. 3 Someone who was involved in a special event. For example, Olympic gold medalists and Nobel Prize winners will receive a silver cup award. In addition, people involved in the contruction of major public projects (dams, bridges, tunnels, etc) often receive silver cups upon completion.

It was 101. See my colorful chart at the bottom of this page http://imperialjapanmedalsandbadges.com/moreinfo3.html Rich

As Nick Komiya responded to you on the Wehrmacht forum, They are all post war fire dept badges from various cities in Japan. It would hardly matter to the buyer which city, so just sell as a lot of assorted badges. Translating each one would a time-consuming task, and since you are going to sell them (as you admitted), it seems like hard work for no reason. Just group list or ID each one as a FB badge.

Gold doesn't lose its patina. It can be seen a mile away, which is why it has been so valued over the centuries. Photos are bad, but even so, this looks like the silver version. (Still xxx nice, though.)

As a final note, I have to respectfully disagree with RAINBOW's conclusion. These are all Japanese Mint made.

Forget about the boxes? You are the one who relied upon that point as crucial: "Note also that the Japan mint never used a hanko or chop mark stamp on the inside lid - they always use the four kanji characters." And now you say forget about it. I have had enough. It is not as if these are $1000 pieces. They sell for fairly low prices, so I cannot imagine anyone spending time faking them. The 2nd class badges are different--they can sell for a lot. But this case is different. You seem to think I am running a fake medal mill, constantly churning out these pieces. You overestimate me. While looking at the red center, be sure to compare the green enamel kiri crest above. I am sure you did this. Oh, and please do not neglect the ribbons or rosettes. And the metal fastener. And the polished silver reverses. And the cases, which only vary in the stamp. Did you compare those? The red center varies in quality, but the other pieces do not. So how can you be so confident and claim I am a fraud? Again, since you are so sure, state the documentary evidence you suggest you are familiar with. Do not hide behind anonymity and unsubstantiated claims. To end this, I am sure your observations are valuable--I just wish you had more than anecdotal evidence. And as for your lighter note, complimenting me on my website is a typical method of trying to gain credibility. No need to do that. My website speaks for itself and has enough hits and regular viewers to be OK. If you have any documentary evidence to add to my site, I will be pleased to credit it to your name. However, I suspect you neither read nor write Japanese or Chinese, so you have no access to the documents. If I am mistaken, I will be the first to apologize. Best, Rich

Again, please provide evidence before accusing. Where is this information you have about the Japanese Mint and the boxes? I am not upset because you are wondering if it is fake. I am upset at your authoritative tone without really backing up your claims. You claim to know all about the Japanese Mint and its products, yet cite nothing. And sentences like this "I know you have a web site and all that with all the great "gleaned" info, perhaps you will learn form this site as well?" It seems that you are trying to antagonize people, not trying to add to the community. Perhaps it is you who should glean info from my site as well? Anyway, I stand by this medal as 100% authentic; you think it is fake. You have presented your case, I have responded, and that is that.

Hello Paul, Miniatures from Japan have to be privately ordered from the Japanese Mint, and when doing so, proof of receiving the actual award (full-sized medal) is needed. The costs are paid for by the recipient, and they are substantial. It is actually cheaper to wait for a used miniature to appear! Best, Rich

To RAINBOW CHOCOLATE: Yes, well, if you know all about the different casts and mints of the Japanese Mint, please be sure and document your evidence before accusing others of being deceptive. I have noticed that all of your posts here have been negative, yet all of your evidence is anecdotal. Please cite your references about the Japanese Mint. I would be pleased to see such research. In addition, where is your evidence of the Japanese Mint hallmark? And are you really willing to believe that the case, too, is fake? If you are willing to prove your case, I am willing to concede. However, after handling at least 100 miniatures from the Mint, I am confident this is an authentic piece. Best, Rich

You are the same person who caused an uproar over what you perceived to be shill bidding on another auction, right? No one will be 'getting tricked.'

You are 100% mistaken. Obviously you have never seen a miniature Rising Sun medal. This is my auction and I stand by it fully.