Gensui

Stunning!

Well, I'll check my documents if I still have them. But I'm afraid, I must scan them (only hard copy). I guess, this kind of rivalry isnt' limited to Japan? We still have this rivalry between navy and army in Germany. The first think I learned during my basic training in the navy was, “gold will never salute against silverâ€. (While the navy members had golden insignia/chevron, the army had silver ones). It was a nice experience for me to see, that the navy guys always felt “something specialâ€â€¦ BR, Chris

Hi IrishGunner, I guess, you’re thinking about the General Fukushima Yasumasa (1852 –1919)? Fukushima was military attaché in Berlin from March 1887 to December 1891. He joined the sino-japanese war in 1894/95, the Boxer rebellion in 1900 and the russo-japanese war in 1904/1905. He’s an interesting person, because he was a cofounder of the Japanese Kenpeitai (military police). Indeed, he went back to Japan by horse, which took him approx. 14 months. Some further information can be found here: http://www.thelongridersguild.com/fukushima.htm BR, Chris Edit: crossing post

Hi Ulsterman, Thanks for your information! No sorry, I can only send you my German master theses. It brings back the memories to me, reading my own writting, strong influence of the "chôdohi" (the hand of Satsuma, Chôshû, Tosa Hi-zen) and their overwhelming influence on the navy. But it's a general problem. I remember my Professor tried to keep me away for my master thesis due to the lack of sources. Fortunately, I was able to find some great helpers with David C. Evans (who already passed away) and Mark R. Peattie (author of the book “Kaigunâ€), who provided me unpublished material, especially about the role of the Satsuma clan. BR, Chris

Hello Ulsterman, A very nice photo and interesting history! During my studies about the foreign influence on the developing of the Japanese Navy in the 19th Century under foreign influence, I observed the so-called oyatoi gaikokujin (hired foreigners) and the ryûgaku sei (Japanese students, who studied aboard). Especially in the history of the army, the German Kaiserreich played an important role. Here is some further information/confirmation about TAMURA Okinosuke, which you already mentioned as well. He served as Major of the artillery in Magdeburg and Berlin from August 1902 until April 1905. He spent one year within a German field artillery regiment. From October 1910 until January 1913 he was appointed as military attaché in Berlin and was promoted to lieutenant-general. After he came back to Japan, he was commanded in the general staff of the Japanese Army as Leader of the Buro No. 4. Within this office, he was responsible for cartography Military History, Translation and the Archive/Military Records. Source: HARTMANN, Rudolf (2007): Japanische Offiziere im Deutschen Kaiserreich 1870-1914, in: Japonica Humboldtiana, 11, S. 93-158. I would love to see a scan of the back side with the signature… PS: Which source did you used for your information? BR, Chris

Gents, It took me some time, but finally I could complete my medal set (see post no. 1): a nice award document for this beauty. This document was awarded on 1st May 1931 to the Secretary of the Minister of Finance Mr. WADA Masahiko with the number 6621. BR, Chris

Sorry... I'm still waiting for better Pictures, since I contacted seller. But not sure, if he will send better photos. BR, Chris

What do you think, gents? I'm not sure, if replic or real... Yes I know, the pictures are fantastic... BR, Chris

Gents, Here is another example for our gallery. The seller thinks that the ribbon is a prototype… Good luck on bidding! BR, Chris

Thanks a lot, Nick! BR, KriZ

Interesting to see the big price variation! I remember one cased piece, which was sold for 157K in February this year. BR, Chris

+180K? @Dieter, Still 5 days to set some money aside! BR, Chris

Here is another one for our gallery. Interesting fitting of the hook! BR, Chris

You're my hero, Nick! Thanks a lot! BR, Chris

Hm, makes sense! And the case? This looks similar to the current/actual merit medals... BR, Chris

Thanks Nick! BR, Chris

I'm starting to hesitate for asking, but can someone date this item? How do you figure out at this medal, when it was probably awarded? BR, Chris

Nick, can you id the last medal on the bar? Is he wearing the Imperial Constitution Promulgation Commemorative Medal? BR, Chris

Looks like Star Wars! Thanks, Nick! BR, Chris

Gents, Can anybody identify this gentleman? BR, Chris

If you need another medal, I'll make you a special price for mine and could go for this cased beauty BR, Chris

Well, I'm still missing the/a case BR, Chris

Happy bidding! BR, Chris

Yeap. I mean the catch and hook looks so shiny compare to the medal itself. But then it makes sense (replaced ribbon). BTW, pic no 7 looks like the medal from Admiral Ôishi, which was sold recently at Yahoo Japan. BR, Chris

Yes, exactly. And beside this, surface of the catch & hook doesn't "fit" to the overall picture of the medal. BR, Chris