fukuoka

The auction linked to above (mine own) sold for $52. Broken hinge and damaged enamel. Yesterday on Yahoo japan a nice, cased example sold for 11,100 yen. http://page6.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/f124462952

Probably a slip. Even so, it is rare (I think) to find a doc dated after Taisho 9.

Finally, if this is indeed a later document, they may have had to redesign it. The reason I say this is because of the medal design drawing at the bottom. The figure is a bit thicker, fatter than that on the T8-9 docs. Anyway, an interesting example. Any other comments or ideas?

Then I looked at the signatures and found that the Decorations Bureau president was not Kodama Hideo, as on all the other VIC documents (dated Taisho 8 and 9). The name was Ogimachi Sanemasa. He served twice in this position, once from February 1909 to Sept 1918, and then again from Dec 1921 to June 1923. (see my newsletter issue 11 for a full list!) So he was in this office in 1913, but still the fact that this medal wasn't even established yet casts doubt on the date. What can be the answer? My guess is that the inscribed meant to write the date as Taisho 13 (forgetting the kanji for 10). This would be 1921, still an unusual date for getting the medal but not unthinkable.

Puzzling... Looking at the left half, we can see the award number: 161,944, quite high.

However, let us look closely. First, the date: Taisho 3 [1914] November 6! Before this medal was established. The hand-inscribed parts are the numerals and also the final kanji meaning 'day.'

For your consideration is this WW1 Vic Medal award document. At first glance, it appears to be a regular certificate.

Army Staff Graduate Badge. Rich

Just looked at the 1942 ordinance establishing this badge, and the design description just says '神像' or 'god figure.' Those with a good knowledge of Japanese folklore and tales may be able to identify it better.

Peter, sorry there are not clear concise answers to all of your questions. No exact description that I know of. If I had one, of course I would have put it on the site. That being said, it seems clear that the person is a goddess of some sort, based on her hairstyle. I do not know what she represents nor do I know what she holds. The larger badge was awarded by the national government; the smaller one by the local authorities. Watch some footage of Hideki Tojo himself awarding this badge. This is Feb. 1943 news footage and it takes up the first 3 minutes of this clip. You can see an award document towards the end of the section. The very fact that this award ceremony was shown on the news points to the importance of the badge, which was to be worn on civilian clothes. You can also see the honor cord in the close-up. ENJOY: http://cgi2.nhk.or.jp/shogenarchives/jpnews/movie.cgi?das_id=D0001300526_00000&seg_number=001

I agree with Nick. All are brown-red enamel.

Not sure if this fits, since it is a different order, but this post-2003 ST medal has 'ZE' on the reverse.

This looks to read 'Meritorious Supporting Member.' The single line on the other medal reads 'Merit Medal.'

Oh, I see. You used the supplemental volume. I don't have that--looks like it may have some more good info.

Chris, do you have the page number right? My copy of the same book has nothing about that medal. In fact, page 379 is about the post-war Mint.

Note the orange writing under the price. It says that the reserve price has not been met.

The second class doc belonged to a man named Hata Yuzaburou. I am unfamiliar with this person.

The first class doc was awarded to Kaya Okinori when he was Minister of Finance. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okinori_Kaya

The first one is for the Order of the Pillars of State 2nd Class. The next is for the same decoration, but 1st Class.

What? 1904-5 Russian prisoners in Fukuoka?? I had never heard of them. There is some documentation of WW2 prisoners here, though, including a gruesome beheading of American pilots on the mountain right behind my house! But I had never heard of the earlier ones. Time to fire up the research again!

Nick, I thought it was a 'JE' but upon magnification I can see it is indeed a 'DE.' This consistency suggests that you were correct in thinking these indicate the year of manufacture.

OOPS. Sorry, wrong thread. I will repost in correct one.

better pic

Nick, sorry that I misled you with the JE hallmark. I thought it was a 'J' but upon magnification, the hallmark reads DE, which means that this may indeed signify the year of manufacture.

Thanks for your opinions, Nick. Yes, the owner said that was when the award was given: 'It belonged to the Ambassador of Japan in Mexico in the mid 1940's.' No documents to confirm, but no reason to think this is incorrect, either.