TracA

Very nice pieces, Azyeoman. For a while I've wanted to take the plunge on Patriotic Women's Association obidome but gosh darn it I already have too many collecting threads and don't need more. All the best, Tracy

Thank you both. Now the hunt is on. Tracy

Peter and Stogieman, Thank you both for your replies. I have to admit that I was pretty sure that my 1870 EK II wasn’t a fake, but like I stated, I’m very much a novice in this area of collecting. I certainly plan to expand my knowledge by consulting forums and printed/reliable website references. Speaking of references, I own Williamson’s The Iron Cross: A History 1813 - 1957, Ailsby’s A Collector’s Guide To World War 2 German Medals, and recently picked-up Previtera’s The Iron Time (first edition, as I couldn’t find a second edition). Although they are probably dated, in your opinions is it still worth owning Bowen’s The Prussian And German Iron Cross and Prowse’s The Iron Cross Of Prussia And Germany? Thank you kindly, Tracy

Greetings, About 22 years ago after having a discussion with a dealer at a local military medal show I swore I’d never buy another EK. Not that I had many: within that year I had purchased a 1939 First Class and Second Class Spange, and besides those I only had a single example of First and Second Class medals from WWI and WWII which I didn’t even buy. Each of those were purchased for me, at separate times, by my mother sometime in the early 80s at flea markets in either FL or NJ. She knew I had a keen interest in military medals. Anyway, the dealer and I were discussing fakes and their proliferation and I simply decided that the EK was a minefield and like all minefields, best to steer clear of. However, my desire for an 1870 EK was never extinguished. That flame was rekindled about a month ago. After spending a couple of days reading through, and doing word searches on, the numerous topics on this forum, and studying Estelmann’s “Reflections on the 1870 Iron Cross…” (reference to which I found on this forum) I decided to finally fan the flames and purchase an 1870 EK II with 25th Jubilee Oak Leaves. I did my best to weigh just the cross itself, which came in at 16.5g. When putting all of it on the scale the weight was 19.1g. As you will see below, the frame has separated at the right top and down the entire right edge of the 12h arm with minor separation approximately halfway across the top of the 3h arm, and this separation includes a break to the ring. So, getting accurate dimensions took a bit of work. From the bottom left of the 9h arm to the bottom right of the 3h arm is 41.05mm, and from the top left edge of the 12h arm to the bottom left edge of the 6h arm is 41.5mm. The 25th jubilee oak leaves are approximately 25mm wide by 18mm high. I believe this 1870 EK II to be an example of a Type A core. Going out on a limb here, but I dare say an award period piece? After going through Komtur’s November 18, 2013 post on this forum regarding oak leaves to the 1870 EK II, I believe them to be an example of Variant 2. Although there is some damage to the obverse crown (almost as if it was struck and a tad bit flattened) I do not believe this cross is a 9th Bead Fake or an example of a Latvian Fake, but in all honesty I am merely a babe in the woods when it comes to this subject matter. Therefore, any and all comments/judgements are welcome. Thanks. Tracy Obverse: Reverse: Obverse crown: W and 1870: Reverse detail: Seam split and ring break: Good seam on the front edge of the 3h arm: Oak leaves, Variant 2:

No One, Thank you as always for your assistance and sharing your knowledge. Both are greatly appreciated. All the best to you in the coming New Year. Tracy

…and finally the last of my three recently purchased sashes. Per the other sashes that I’ve posted here, this one is of a white linen-like cloth and it is approximately 105 cm long by 6.8 cm wide. Since one side of the sash is slightly folded over its opposite side, the true width of the sash is actually a bit more than the approximately 13.6 cm wide as calculated. The sash is stitched on the top, bottom, and one side. On each end is a piece of fabric twisted to be a string, one 14.3 cm long and the other 16.3 cm long, used to tie the sash together for wearing. The main inscription is on the front twice in an orientation such that it can be read on the wearer’s front and back: 大日本國防婦人會 for “Greater Japan National Defense Women’s Association”. At the bottom of each main inscription is a red stamped square with red kanji arranged in four columns. From right to left it reads 大日本國 and 防婦人會 for “Greater Japan National Defense Women’s Association” and then 津地方本 and 部?印 for “Tsugaru headquarters ? seal”. I just cannot figure out that second character in the fourth column. Unlike the other sashes that I have posted, this one does not have an inscription on either inside of the sash, not even a designation as a branch association. So, I assume that the wearers of such a sash would represent the headquarters. No inside inscriptions, but on the bottom of one of the insides is a black stamped rectangle with black kanji in the following orientation: a horizontal row of ?津 underscored by a black line and then a vertical row of 白?垕語?. This one has me totally stumped. I hope to acquire more Greater Japan National Defense Women’s Association in the future. All the best, Tracy One of the frontside inscriptions: The red “seal”: The inside mark:

No One, Thank you for the kind words. I agree that these are an interesting theme for collecting, and although the basic inscription on the two "fronts" is the same, the location and manufacturer information (when present) could be quite endless. Hope that you are doing well. All the best, Tracy

I am finally getting around to posting my second of three recently acquired Greater Japan National Defense Women’s Association Sash. The sash is of a white linen-like cloth and it is tightly tied together at the end strings, not to be undone. The tied length is approximately 54.8 cm, thus the untied full length is approximately 109.6 cm. The width is approximately 7 cm, although the true width is actually a bit more than the approximately 14 cm that would be calculated, as it is slightly folded over on itself widthwise and stitched on the top, bottom, and one side. On each end is a piece of fabric twisted to be a string used to tie the sash together for wearing. The main inscription is on the front twice in an orientation so that it can be read on the wearer’s front and back. The inscription in black is 大日本國防婦人會 for “Greater Japan National Defense Women’s Association”. Just below this on one of the front sides is a red stamped square with red kanji inside that are too faint and faded for me to read. The square and the style of the kanji remind me of an official seal. On the inside opposite the front side with the red seal is 播州本部 for “Banshū Headquarters”. At the bottom of the opposite inside is 分會 for “Branch Association”, and the kanji on the sash is the old/traditional form of 分. Below this are two rows of stamped black kanji. The top row is 姫路 for Himeji, a city in Hyōgo Prefecture. The bottom row is 黒岩製 for “Made by Kuroiwa”. So, I assume that the sash was made by a manufacturer called Kuroiwa located in the city of Himeji. Tracy Inscription on one of the fronts: Red seal (?) at the bottom of one of the front inscriptions: Inside opposite the frontside with the red seal: Backside of the side with the red seal, with manufacturing information:

Greetings, I am finally coming back to this thread, as I’ve acquired three additional Greater Japan National Defense Women’s Association sashes, two from different branch associations and one, I believe, from a different headquarters. I hope that you enjoy. Tracy The example below is made of white linen-like cloth and is approximately 98 cm long and 6.4 cm wide. The true width of the sash is actually approximately 12.8 cm wide as it is folded over on itself almost exactly widthwise and stitched on the top, bottom, and both sides. On each end is a piece of the same fabric stitched to the sash, used to tie the sash together for wearing. Each is approximately 1.2 cm wide but one is 28 cm long and the other is 28.5 cm long. Because this sash had some repair or alteration work done to it the main inscription is on the front only once in full form. The inscription in black is 大日本國防婦人會 for “Greater Japan National Defense Women’s Association”. Underneath is a two column inscription with a right column of 島田町 for “Shimada” and a left column of 分會 for “Branch Association”. Note: the kanji on the sash is the old/traditional form of 分. On the other front side is a 4.5 cm section that is folded over on itself twice, and then stitched into place, on which 婦 is perfectly placed. Therefore this front side does not have a full inscription. Rather, in black is 大日本婦人會 and then below it is the two column inscription 島田町 and 分會. On the inside of the sash part that does not have the twice folded over 4.5 cm section is an inscription that I cannot fully make out. It is either 島田町?婦會 or 島田町??婦會 for “Shimada ?? Women’s Association”. The inside of the sash that has the twice folded over 4.5 cm section is intended to have the same inscription, but it is incomplete because of the fold. Complete inscription on the front: Incomplete inscription on the other front side: Complete inscription on the inside: Incomplete inscription on the other inside:

Farkas, Wow, what a great story and a great way for it to turn out. Being able to dig up records about the seller's father is wonderful icing on the cake. All the best, Tracy

Farkas, Outstanding! Thanks for sharing. I really love the attention to detail on the design of these buttons. What a fascinating area of collecting. All the best, Tracy

Farkas, What a great post. Thank you for sharing. It's fascinating to see the design development, especially when ever so subtle. All the best, Tracy

Hi Steve, I've been on this forum since September of last year and this March I decided to become a patron (completely voluntary). This is the only military themed forum in which I participate, but I do participate in a numismatic forum. I guess we're always going to have the "fly-by-nights" who are just looking for authentication/price check. They will, as you say, come and go. I participate in the Japan section of this forum, and I both ask questions and try to contribute something positive. I must say that for me personally, the active members in the Japan thread have taken my collecting to new heights with their wealth of information and willingness to share it. I see the same great contributions on other threads here on which I don't post (because quite frankly I don't have anything to contribute) but which I do read. I definitely find this forum of great value to me and my collection. I say, stick around for a while longer. Just my two cents. All the best, Tracy

Gefreiter otto, This is a wildly fascinating thread. Thanks for sharing! Tracy

No One, Very interesting hypothesis. Tracy

No One, Thank you for the magnificent information! All the best, Tracy

…and an example of a Greater Japan National Defense Women’s Association sash from Kyoto. The sash is of a white linen-like cloth and is approximately 92.25 cm long and 6.7 cm wide. The true width of the sash is actually about 13.4 cm wide as it is folded over on itself lengthwise and stitched on the top, bottom, and one side. On each end is a piece of fabric twisted to be a string, one 9.5 cm long and the other 11 cm long, used to tie the sash together for wearing. The main inscription is on the front twice in an orientation so that it can be read on the wearer’s front and back. The inscription in black is 大日本國防婦人會 for “Greater Japan National Defense Women’s Association”. At roughly the top of the sash, which would rest on the wearer’s shoulder, and between the two 大 is a red outlined cherry blossom badge with a red kanji inside that I absolutely cannot read. On the inside at one end near the bottom is 分會 for “Branch Association”, although the kanji on the sash is the old/traditional form of 分. On the inside at the other end near the bottom is 京都地方本部 for “Kyoto Regional Headquarters”. Below this near the bottom right corner stamped in black is a rectangle with a central column of six kanji with an additional two kanji on each side. I believe this is the maker’s mark but I cannot read all of it. On the right side is 京都 for “Kyoto”; on the left side is 五? for ?; the central column is 白井手?店製 for “? manufactured”. Tracy Front and back of the sash: Red outlined cherry blossom badge with ? inside: On the inside at one end near the bottom: On the inside at the other end near the bottom: Finally, what I believe to be the maker’s mark:

I’m quickly coming back to the Sakura Merit Badge post above from October 30, 2023 as I forgot to upload a picture of the gray stamped kanji on the side of the heavy duty white cardboard slipcase. Picture below: 桜 for “cherry” or “cherry blossom”.

This was all that I could find: https://asiamedals.info/threads/unidentified-inner-mongolia-medal.24462/. Perhaps JapanX will weigh in with more up to date information. Tracy

Tony, Wow, what a juxtaposition for those rabbits. Tracy

Tony, What great additions. I especially like the second and fifth. "Poor rabbit". Magnificent! All the best, Tracy

The second of the two Otani Women’s Association Merit Badges that I picked-up is the gorgeous Sakura Merit Badge. Most surprising to me, however, was the size of the lacquered case and the kanji on the lid. Oh, and the tiny satin pillow that came with it. I will do my best to describe all of the salient features below. It is an impressive looking award in a very impressive case. Tracy The badge is approximately 44 mm in diameter and all non-enameled surfaces are gilt, including the two smooth “leaves” pointing up and down at 12h and 6h. The obverse is enameled in white, green, dark red, and purple: purple for the central cherry blossom outline and kanji inside of it; dark red for the three cherry blossoms at 12h, 3h, 6h, and 9h; green for the two leaves between each set of three cherry blossoms; white for the background. Above the badge is an attachment approximately 19 mm wide in the design of a wreath of leaves enameled green and with a physical space between the two halves. On the obverse is a single kanji inscription: 法 for Teachings of Buddha. The reverse is finely sandblasted and gilt with a two row inscription of stylized kanji. The top row is 櫻花有功章 for “Sakura [Cherry Blossom] Merit Badge” and the bottom row is 大谷婦人會 for “Otani Women’s Association”. Finally, the ribbon is a double bow shape, alternating blue and white in the following pattern moving outward toward the edge: 5 mm blue, 5 mm white, 3 mm blue, 5 mm white, 22 mm blue, 5 mm white, 3 mm blue, 5 mm white, 5 mm blue. The pin on the reverse is, I believe, a lock back pin. The impressively large case is lacquered black and approximately 141 mm wide x 219 mm long x 50 mm high. Inside is a purple velour recessed medalbed and a lid liner of white satin. Included is a small satin pillow that is a roughly 73 mm square, I believe to be placed over the badge in the case so that when the lid is closed the badge doesn’t move around. On the lid in gilt are two columns of beautifully stylized, rather large kanji. The center column reads 櫻花有功章 for “Sakura [Cherry Blossom] Merit Badge” and the lower left column reads 大谷婦人會 for “Otani Women’s Association”. Finally, as a first for any closure device that I’ve seen on any lacquered case for a Japanese order or decoration or badge, this case has a heavy duty silver draw type latch. On the latch is etched the name, city, and emblem of the latch manufacturer. More on that below, but I’ll note here that the etchings are upside down when the case is right side up. The lacquered case came inside a fairly heavy duty white cardboard box with a slipcase cover and a hole on the bottom, I assume for using a finger to push the case up and out of the bottom of the box. On the edge of the slipcase lid is a gray stamped circle around the following kanji: 桜 for “cherry” or “cherry blossom”. Obverse: Reverse: The satin pillow: Lacquered case lid. Photo taken at an angle in the hopes of minimizing the reflection of the cell phone. Not completely successful, of course. Unfortunately the kanji came out fuzzy, but they are gilt and crisp and clear and beautifully stylized. The top kanji in the central column is 18 mm wide x 20 mm high! The silver draw type latch, as the case is sitting right side up: The draw type latch photographed with the case upside down. Yokoya, manufacturer of locks and metal accessories located in Tokyo. See http://www.yokoyakanagu.com/.

Megan, Ahhhh, now it makes perfect sense. Thank you for the explanation. All the best, Tracy

I have finally picked-up two more Otani Women’s Association Merit Badges. This one is a Second Class Additional Merit Badge. The badge is approximately 30 mm in diameter. The obverse is enameled in mustard, green, white, and red with darker silver colored (1) un-enameled edging and (2) what could be two smooth leaves at 12h and 6h. Above the badge is an attachment 15 mm in diameter in the design of a wreath of leaves enameled mustard, with an enameled white center and lighter silver colored edging and leaf veins. The reverse is sandblasted and silver in color, plain with the exception of the inscription. The ribbon is a dark green double bow. On the obverse is a single kanji inscription of 法 for “Teachings of Buddha”. On the reverse is an inscription in two horizontal rows. The top row is 二等附加有功章 for Second Class Additional Merit Badge and the bottom row is 大谷婦人會 for Otani Women’s Association. The box is an attractive, simple wooden one with slightly beveled top edges. It is 75 mm wide x 112 mm long x 19 mm high. The inscription is in silver kanji, with a central column of 二等附加有功章 for Second Class Additional Merit Badge and a lower left column of 大谷婦人會 for Otani Women’s Association. On the bottom edge of the lid and base is a purple stamped cherry blossom, at the very least functioning as an alignment marker. The Second Class Additional Merit Badge is almost identical to the First Class Additional Merit Badge posted above on May 23, 2023. I have to make a correction to that post: the attachment on the First Class Additional Merit Badge is 15 mm wide, not 22 mm as I had originally stated. I really screwed that measurement up. Tracy Obverse: Reverse: Box lid: Finally, alignment stamp:

No One, Thank you for the kanji representation. It's always good to see a side-by-side comparison. In addition, it's great to see photos of orders in actual wear. Look at all of those 1st Class Orders! Question: any idea what that is on the sash at the top on the right shoulder of the wearer? All the best, Tracy