TracA

I was finally able to add this magnificent Order of the Sacred Treasure Grand Cordon to my collection. The badge has the M mint mark of the Osaka mint, thereby dating this badge from 1930 to 1943. See Medals of Asia at https://asiamedals.info/threads/mark-m-on-japanese-orders-and-medals-who-and-when.14818/. Part of me expected to also find an M mint mark on the breast star, but the star has no marks whatsoever. Note that the lacquered case has a gold border on the lid, which if I am not mistaken puts it at least in the same or similar “age group” as the badge.

Two Questions:

• If the badge has an M mint mark is it common that the breast star not have one? Part of me expected that if the “set” were manufactured at the Japan Mint, then both the badge and breast star would have the M mark if one of them had the M mark. However, I have no evidence upon which to base my expectation.
• Are there any known time coordinates for cases with the gold border, or a border at all? I know that the Medals of Asia website has a picture of a Grand Cordon case from 1943 with silver kanji and silver border.

It truly is a beautiful set. As usual, my cell phone camera and poor lighting set-up wreak havoc on the colors. 

Tracy

In the case:

Badge obverse:

Badge reverse:

M mint mark up close:

Breast star obverse:

Breast star reverse:

The sash. I’m not sure what the official color is, but it looks powder blue to me.

The rosette is the same color as the sash:

Case lid:

Finally, a close-up of the case clasp:

On 01/09/2023 at 20:18, hxihiu111 said:

Perhaps the name of manufacturer.

At first that's what I thought, but when I couldn't find reference to that manufacturer at Medals of Asia (https://asiamedals.info/#japan.459) and after No One helped me translate the kanji, I then figured that the stamp was that of the certifying official.

Tracy

On 01/09/2023 at 22:15, No one said:

Dear TracA,

 

" Regarding the red stamped surname Iwaki, I assume that is the surname of the official (?) who actually certified that this was medal No. 4261. "

 

Yes, I think so. This seal is the equivalent of a signature and makes the text official.

 

As for the last kanji "𭈹"  it is more often/commonly written  "號".

 

 

Yours sincerely,

No one

No One,

You read my mind. I was having much difficulty transcribing that last kanji as I could only find it as two separate characters and not a single character. 

Thank you, as always.

Tracy

Dear No One,

Thank you so much for your assistance. Although I was able to figure out that 貮 and 拾 are document kanji for numbers, I failed to realize, among other things, that 壱 is also.

Regarding the red stamped surname Iwaki, I assume that is the surname of the official (?) who actually certified that this was medal No. 4261.

Thank you again.

All the best,

Tracy

Greetings,

I thought that I would add to this wonderful and informative post started by No One and contributed to by JapanX.

Below is my recently obtained 1900 War Medal/Boxer Rebellion Medal. To me what makes this example special is the handwritten kanji and clearly what appears to be a stamped red circle with two kanji inside, all on the underside of the lid. As usual I struggle with the kanji transcription and interpretation. So, I’ll have questions to go along with the picture of the underside of the lid.

Thank you.

Tracy

Obverse:

Reverse:

Box lid with the gilt inscription 明治三十三年従軍記章 for “Meiji Year 33 War Medal”. 1900 was the 33rd year of Meiji:

Underside of the lid. The right column is 従軍記章え?番号. I cannot figure out what the sixth kanji is or what it and the fifth could mean together. I believe that the other kanji translate to “War medal…number”.

The left column is 第四十貮百六拾?師. I believe that the first eight kanji translate to “Number 4260”. I cannot figure out what the eighth kanji is but I have an inkling that it and the ninth kanji might be a surname. Perhaps 若師, Wakashi?

Close-up of the two kanji inside a circle, all stamped in red: I believe that the first kanji is 岩 and the second kanji is possibly, maybe 岸 for a combined 岩岸, meaning Iwakishi? Could this be a manufacturer’s stamp? Maybe a place name, perhaps the city of Iwaki in Fukushima prefecture, a place where the recipient was issued the medal?

Wait, I'm confused. Doesn't the "R" on the reverse stand for "Real"?

Tracy

No One,

Thank you very much for the information, pictures, and links. It is greatly appreciated.

All the best,

Tracy

Another WPA badge has come into my possession. This is a Special Member Badge. I’ve posted one previously in this thread, but this new one is a bit different. 

This one has a red cord attached between the badge and the suspension bar.

The pin on the reverse of the suspension bar is different from the one on the Special Member Badge posted above. The pin on the reverse of this suspension bar is of one piece such that the left end is in the form of a hook and the right end is bent in the shape of two circles such that the rest of the pin comes across and can be placed under the hook. On the reverse of the suspension bar is a small diameter tube attached to the middle second and third part of the bar and through which the pin is “threaded”. Therefore the inscription on the reverse of the suspension bar has 掛ー to the left of the pin tube and 襟半 to the right of the pin tube. 掛ー襟半 for "hanging collar half". For hanging on the kimono half-collar. Thank you JapanX for that bit of information.

Instead of a wooden box this badge came in a red cardboard box with a blue cardboard insert to hold the badge. The red color is a paper that is affixed to the lid and its sides as well as the bottom sides. It does not fully cover the inside of the lid or the bottom of the box. The badge name is on the cover of the box in gilt: 別特会員章 for “Special Member Badge”.

Tracy

Obverse:

Reverse:

Cardboard box lid:

On 20/08/2023 at 19:36, No one said:

Dear TracA,

 

Thank you, it a pleasure to share knowledge.

 

Here is another medal on this subject, and it's both attractive and well-crafted.
The purpose of the event was to commemorate the ceremonies that were held at Ueno Park, where the people could acclaim the new emperor Taishō.

On this medal one can see two other banners shown above.

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a postcard of the entrance: 

都市・東京の記憶_御大禮記念國産振興東京博覽會繪葉書_上野公園入口誘導塔 (tokyo.lg.jp)

 

Yours sincerely,

No one

 

 

No One,

Another beautiful medal, and a different two banners on a medal again struck in honor of the Taisho enthronement. 

I assume that the five banners and staffs referenced in your post above were not specific to the Emperor Taisho, but I do assume that the were specific to, and used only for, the Emperor. Is my assumption correct? Where might I go to learn more about the history and use of the five banners/staffs?

Thank you as always.

Tracy

No One,

What a wonderful specimen.

All the best,

Tracy

I haven’t posted in this thread for a while, but I recently came to possess another WPA Special Supporter Member badge. When looking through the wonderful Medals of Asia page on the different variants of this badge (see https://asiamedals.info/threads/special-supporter-member-badge-of-womens-patriotic-association.25981/) it appears as if mine could be a type of hybrid. To me there is no doubt that the obverse (looking at the stems and leaves on the bottom) is classified as the 4th variation. However, the pin construction on the reverse matches that of the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th variants.

A hybrid?

Tracy

Obverse:

Reverse:

14 hours ago, No one said:

Dear TracyA,

 

As for the staffs, as there are five banners (旛 / ban) there are five staff, one staff specific for each banner:

 

 

・霊鵄形大錦旛 / Reishi Keidai Kinban = A golden kite that saved Emperor Jimmu with a flash of light.

・月像纛旛 / Gesshō Tōban = moon embroidered on white brocade

・萬歳旛 / Banzai ban = 5 sweetfish, Itsuhe, and the word “banzai”

・日像纛旛 / Nisshō Tōban = The sun embroidered on red brocade.

・頭八咫烏形大錦旛 / Yatagarasu Daikinban = The Yatagarasu that guided Emperor Jinmu to Kashihara in Yamato.

 

Yours sincerly,

No one

 

 

 

Dear No One,

Thank you so much for the information on the fish, jug, staffs, and banners. Your generosity with your knowledge has added greatly to my documentation and knowledge.

All the best,

Tracy

15 hours ago, Farkas said:

Hello both,

a great description of a lively medal, 👍

it made me find mine, the swivel bar is a bit bent and the ribbon is a bit torn…. but that’s the way I like them 😊

If I may, here’s a couple of pictures

 

I’d never thought about it’s originality 🤷‍♂️  (to me) it has great detail, then I saw the fish on yours! Yours have crystal clear tails and my fish have no tails at all! 

 

 

Pictures may not show it but they are very blobby, I hope you’ll tell me it’s just wear but either way, compared to the the first ones detail? it was lovely seeing it like that.
 

best wishes

tony 🍻

 

ps

 

 

 

I don’t know their history together before me, but they came from Japan together and live together now so seemed rude to leave his friend out.

Hi Farkas,

Yours is a wonderful example. I also collect ancient Greek coins of the Thessalian city of Larissa and the condition of your medal reminds me of a numismatic phrase which I believe is applicable here: “honest wear”.              

Sadly I have no experience with detecting fakes but since this medal is, I believe, quite common, I would assume that there wouldn’t be much profit in producing fakes. I chalk up the “blobbiness” of the fish on your medal to worn dies.

Always nice to keep together medals and such that you acquire together.

All the best,

Tracy

No One,

Thank you for the post! What a great medal, especially since it wholly reproduces the banners from the obverse of the Taisho Enthronement Commemorative Medal. Also, very interesting poem.

All the best,

Tracy 

I just picked-up an Order of the Sacred Treasure 7th Class with the mintmark M. Known time coordinates for this mark of the Japanese mint are March 1930 to April 1943. See Medals of Asia at https://asiamedals.info/threads/mark-m-on-japanese-orders-and-medals-who-and-when.14818/.

I’m pretty sure that my decoration, case, and button rosette are a “Frankenstein”. The color of the rosette is a pale light blue while the ribbon color is a grayish white. The real clincher is the fact that the case does not have a clasp; it is spring loaded. The case also does not appear to be made of wood. It feels like plastic (bakelite?) and when I let it snap shut it sounds like plastic instead of wood. I believe that such cases were certainly not produced during the 1930s to the early 1940s. I note that the beveled edge on the lid of this case is much higher than all of the other cases with clasps that I own.

Question: any known time coordinates for spring loaded cases?

Nonetheless, the decoration is very pleasing to the eye, with a nice patina and with the gilt color inside the seal script kanji on the reverse intact.

Enjoy.

Tracy

Obverse with button rosette:

Reverse. My cell phone camera and the lighting fail to reveal the beautiful patina. In the photo below it just looks dark:

Close up of the M mintmark:

The case lid. Note the absence of a clasp on the bottom edge of the case:

Here we have a Taisho Enthronement Commemorative Medal. I believe that this medal is somewhat or fairly common. The simple description, per Peterson 3rd edition p. 56 and Rich Catalano’s The Imperial Ordinances for War and Commemorative Medals of Japan and Manchukuo (4th edition) p. 54, is as follows:

The medal is 30mm in diameter, of silver color. The ribbon is 37mm of watered silk, a white background with a 12mm red stripe down the center and a 2mm red stripe 3mm from each edge. Peterson p. 56 states that “[i]t was designed from the drapes of the outdoor pavilion used in the Ceremonies.” The obverse design has a gilt Imperial chrysanthemum crest, attached as a separate piece, crossed branches of cherry and tachibana blossoms, two long Imperial banners, five fish above a water jug/vase at the top of each banner, and in the background two crossed staffs (?) [neither Peterson nor Catalano note the fish, water jug/vase, or staffs]. Reverse design: inscription only. Obverse inscription: under the water jug/vase on each banner are the kanji 萬歳 for “Banzai”. Reverse inscription: 12 kanji in four rows of two, three, four, and three (from right to left): 禮大  章念記  年四正大  月一十 for “Enthronement Commemorative Medal Taisho 4 [1915] November”. The simple box is made of wood with a gilt inscription on the lid: 大禮記念章 for “Enthronement Commemorative Medal”. The medalbed is recessed and of blue color.

I have no idea if Catalano translated the entire Imperial Ordinance establishing this medal. If he did, then there is no mention of the fish, water jug/vase, or staffs.

Some questions:

• Could it be that the five fish are meant to represent koi?
• What could be the meaning of the water jug/vase, if there is any?
• Meaning of the staffs, if any?
• If the fish water jug/vase, and staffs were not specified in the Imperial Ordinance, then I wonder how and why the designer of the medal came to include them.

I find it to be an aesthetically pleasing medal. A bonus for me: my medal box came with a handwritten inscription on the bottom.

All the best,

Tracy

Obverse:

Close-up of the fish and water jug/vase:

Reverse:

Box lid:

Inscription on the bottom of the box: right column is 大正五年三月六日 for “Taisho 5 [1916], March 6”. Left column is 陸軍少尉豊田徳市 for “Army Second Lieutenant Toyoda Tokuichi”

No One,

Another great post. Your collection, knowledge, and language skills are amazing.

All the best,

Tracy

My final installment on this thread, for now, although I don’t think that I will obtain the highest two Post-2003 Reform OSTs anytime soon: The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon. Formally the 3rd class in the pre-reform orders.

The cravat is approximately 35mm wide with a 4mm gold stripe that is 3mm from each ribbon edge. I am not sure what the color is officially, but to me it looks like cornflower blue. The fastener has not changed.

The central design is per the pre-reform medal: rays are enameled white, paste jewels and their connecting lines are red (not enameled; red glass?), and the mirror is polished silver on a dark blue enameled background. All other medal surfaces are gilt; nothing is silver in color. The width of the medal is approximately 55mm and given the new suspension the length is now approximately 78mm from the top of the 12h paulownia flower to the tip of either of the longest bottom two rays. The new suspension appears to be the same one used on the post-reform Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette and up, the only difference being the color of the enamel on the obverse leaves and flower stems. On the OST Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon the three paulownia leaves and flower stems are enameled white. The leaf veins are gilt. The configuration of the flowers is a 5, 7, 5 pattern and they are enameled light purple. The gilt colored medal fills in the spaces between the leaves and the stems.

The entire reverse is gilt with a sandblasted looking finish. At approximately the midway point on the 3h and 9h arms is a phillips head screw, fasteners for the two piece construction. Like the pre-reform pieces, the four “order of merit” characters are arranged in a square in the center of the badge. Their recesses are gilt. The reverse of the leaves and flowers suspension device is flat and featureless; there is no detailed representation of the flowers and stems. My example has the hallmark E6 stamped on the bottom leaf at 6h. As of July 31, 2023 this hallmark is not listed on the wonderful Medals of Asia website at https://asiamedals.info/threads/two-letter-and-letter-digit-marks-on-japanese-orders-and-medals.13720/.

The case is lacquered black and, I assume, constructed of wood. There is no damage to the lacquer through which I can see the case material. However, given that the case for the Silver Rays is made of wood I would find it odd if the case for a higher award were not made of the same. The approximate dimensions of the case are: 85mm wide by 135mm long by 37mm high. The top and bottom are joined by a silver colored hinge at the back, fully visible when the lid is open. The hinge is fastened to the top and bottom of the case by three phillips head screws on each side. The lid is secured shut by a pin-and-hole silver clasp with a circle-next-to-circle design (pebbly?) bordered by a smooth edge, and the hinge plate for the clasp is of the same design. The inside top is of a purple colored satin like material, and the medalbed, recessed in the outline of the medal, is a purple colored velvet like material. The medalbed is hinged and lifts upwards for cravat storage.

The button lapel rosette is the color of the cravat. It has eight pleats emanating from 

the center and a single gold circular stripe approximately halfway between the center and the edge of the rosette. There is a rectangular base of 10 textured rows colored very pale yellow or gold.

Obverse with the cravat and the rosette:

Reverse (an E6 hallmark is stamped on the bottom leaf at 6h):

Close-up of the rosette:

Lacquered case lid with the script 瑞寶中綬章, Order of the Sacred Treasure Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon:

Detail of the lid clasp:

My third installment on this thread: The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette. Formally the 4th class in the pre-reform orders.

The triangular ribbon shape on my example is approximately 45mm at its widest part by 42mm long. The ribbon color looks like cornflower blue, but I have no idea what it is officially. 3mm from each ribbon edge is a 4mm gold stripe. Affixed to the front of the ribbon is a 22mm rosette of ribbon color with 10 pleats radiating out from the center, a circular gold stripe around the center, and another circular gold stripe 1mm from the outer edge.

The central design is per the pre-reform medal: the rays are enameled white, the paste jewels and their connecting lines are red (not enameled, but red glass?), and the mirror is polished silver on a dark blue enameled background. All other medal surfaces are gilt; nothing is silver in 

color. Like the pre-reform medal, the width of the new medal is approximately 46mm from ray tip to ray tip. Since the post-reform medal has a new suspension the length is now approximately 67mm from the top of the 12h paulownia flower to the tip of either of the longest bottom two rays. The new suspension appears to be the same one used on the post-reform Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette and up, the only difference being the color of the enamel on the obverse leaves and flower stems. On the OST Gold Rays with Rosette the three paulownia leaves and flower stems are enameled white and the leaves have gilt veins. The flowers are in a 5, 7, 5 configuration and are enameled light purple. The gilt colored medal fills in the spaces between the leaves and the stems. The piece on the suspension through which is threaded the metal ring attaching the ribbon is now shaped like a puck.

The entire reverse is gilt with a sandblasted looking finish. At approximately the midway point of the 3h and 9h arms is a phillips head screw, fasteners for the two piece construction. Like the pre-reform pieces, the four “order of merit” characters are arranged in a square in the center of the badge. Their recesses are, of course, gilt. The reverse of the leaves and flowers suspension device is flat and featureless; there is no detailed representation of the flowers and stems. My example has the hallmark BZ stamped on the bottom leaf at 6h. As of July 29, 2023 this hallmark is not listed on the wonderful Medals of Asia website at https://asiamedals.info/threads/two-letter-and-letter-digit-marks-on-japanese-orders-and-medals.13720/.

The case is lacquered black and I assume that it is made of wood. Given that the case for the Silver Rays is made of wood I would find it odd if the case for a higher award were not made of the same material. The dimensions of the case are as follows: approximately 65mm wide by 130mm long by 30mm high. The top and bottom are joined by a silver colored hinge at the back, fully visible when the lid is open, and the hinge is secured to the top and bottom of the case by three phillips head screws on each side. The lid is secured shut by a pin-and-hole silver clasp with a circle-next-to-circle design bordered by a smooth edge (see above OST Silver Rays for a picture). The inside top is of a purple colored satin like material, and the medalbed, recessed in the outline of the medal, is a purple colored velvet like material.

My example did not come with a button lapel rosette. However, zooming in on the picture of this order on the Wikipedia OST page it appears that the rosette is the same color as the ribbon, has eight “pleats” emanating from the center, and two circular gold stripes on the pleats: one around the center and one probably about 1mm from the edge. 

Obverse:

Reverse (BZ hallmark is stamped on the bottom leaf at 6h):

Lacquered case lid with the script 瑞寶小綬章, Order of the Sacred Treasure Gold Rays with Rosette (or Order of the Sacred Treasure, Small Ribbon?):

The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays. Formally the 5th class in the pre-reform orders.

The triangular ribbon shape has been retained and on my example it is approximately 46mm (at its widest part) by 39mm long. Although I have no idea what the official color is, to me it looks like cornflower blue. There is a 4mm gold stripe that is 3mm from each edge on the ribbon.

The central design is per the pre-reform medal: the rays are enameled white, the paste jewels and their connecting lines are red (not enameled, red glass?), and the mirror is polished silver on a dark blue enameled background. The front and side surfaces of the beaded inner and double raised outer rings, attachment to the paulownia leaf suspension, as well as the 12 short rays are all in gilt. The front outline and side surfaces of both the eight longest rays as well as the red jewels and their red connecting lines are in silver. Like the pre-reform medal, the width of the new medal is approximately 45mm from ray tip to ray tip. However, because the post-reform medal has a new suspension the length is approximately 64mm from the top of the 12h paulownia flower to the tip of either of the longest bottom two rays. The new suspension appears to be the same one used on the post-reform Order of the Rising Sun, the only difference being the color of the enamel on the obverse leaves and flower stems. On the OST Gold and Silver Rays the three paulownia leaves and flower stems are enameled white and the leaves have silver veins. The flowers are in a 3, 5, 3 configuration and are enameled light purple. Unlike the OST Silver Rays on which the silver colored medal fills in between them and the stems, on the Gold and Silver rays this fill-in is a blue enamel matching the color of the ribbon. The piece on the suspension through which is threaded the metal ring attaching the ribbon is now shaped like a puck.

The entire reverse is silver with a sandblasted looking finish. At approximately the midway point of the 3h and 9h arms is a phillips head screw, obviously fasteners for the two piece construction. Like the pre-reform pieces, the four “order of merit” characters are arranged in a square in the center of the badge and their recesses are gilt. The reverse of the leaves and flowers suspension device is flat and featureless; there is no detailed representation of the flowers and stems. This is just like the reverse of the suspension device of the post-reform Orders of the Rising Sun. My example has the hallmark F5 stamped on the bottom leaf at 6h. As of July 29, 2023 this hallmark is not listed on the wonderful Medals of Asia website at https://asiamedals.info/threads/two-letter-and-letter-digit-marks-on-japanese-orders-and-medals.13720/.

The case in my example is lacquered black and I assume that it is made of wood. Unlike my OST Silver Rays, there is no damage through which the case material shows itself. However, given that the case for the Silver Rays is made of wood I would find it odd if the case for a higher award were not made of wood. The dimensions of the case are as follows: approximately 65mm wide by 130mm long by 30mm high. The top and bottom are joined by a silver colored hinge at the back, fully visible when the lid is open, and the hinge is secured to the top and bottom of the case by three phillips head screws each. The lid is secured shut by a pin-and-hole silver clasp with a circle-next-to-circle design bordered by a smooth edge (see above OST Silver Rays for a picture). The inside top is of a purple colored satin like material, and the medalbed, recessed in the outline of the medal, is a purple colored velvet like material.

The round rosette is of the same colors as the ribbon, blue with eight gold stripes radiating from the center. There is no hallmark on the metal portion of it.

Obverse with rosette:

Reverse (the F5 hallmark is stamped on the bottom leaf at 6h):

Lacquered case lid with the script 瑞寶双光章, Order of the Sacred Treasure Gold and Silver Rays:

I have seen many great Post-2003 Reform OSTs peppered throughout this forum, but I wanted to sort of bring them together under a single thread. My reason is to provide, to the best of my ability, detailed descriptions; measurements; etc. of these pieces. In this sense I hope to build on Nyle Monday’s “Recent Reforms in the Japanese Honor System” from 2005 (Journal of the Orders and Medals Society of America Vol. 56, No. 6), an article written 18 years ago and before he had the chance to examine in hand any of the Post-2003 Reform orders. His article can be found here: http://www.omsa.org/files/jomsa_arch/Splits/2005/387105_JOMSA_Vol56_6_25.pdf. 

I won't bother with a detailed description of the “core” part of the Post-2003 Reform OSTs that were carried over from the pre-2003 orders, as such a description is easily available in either Peterson’s Orders and Medals of Japan and Associated States, Third Edition or Wikipedia at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Sacred_Treasure. I will, however, have a thing or two to say about the lacquered cases. 

A note about the Wikipedia article: the article states that the OST represents all three of the Imperial treasures: Yata mirror, Yasakani jewel, and the grass cutting sword. The article claims that the enameled white rays represent the sword. This assertion is repeated on some other websites discussing the OST. Perhaps the author of this section of the Wikipedia article assumes (1) that the OST must by necessity represent all three of the Imperial Regalia instead of just two and (2) that the white enameled rays obviously represent the sword because the rays end in a point, like a sword would. This is the first time that I have seen such an assertion. On page 34 of the third edition of his book Peterson quotes from the Imperial Edict establishing the OST (No. 1 January 4, 1888) and his second quoted sentence is quite clear: “‘[t]he badge is decorated with the Mirror and Gems.’” If the Imperial Edict had mentioned that the grass cutting sword was also represented in the badge’s design, then I assume that Peterson would have quoted that. The author of the Wikipedia article cites no source for the claim that the OST represents all three Imperial treasures.

A note about my measurements and photos: I used a digital caliper that is accurate to within .01mm and I rounded up or down as appropriate. The measurements are of the particular pieces that I own but I assume that they are very close to what the standard measurements should be. My pictures are from a cell phone and not taken in the best lighting, so the pictures might not represent the true colors with the highest degree of accuracy. My pictures of case lids are at an angle in order to minimize, to the greatest extent possible, the reflection in the lacquer.

For now I only possess the lowest four Post-2003 Reform OSTs, corresponding to the pre-reform 6th, 5th, 4th, and 3rd classes (the pre-reform 8th and 7th classes having been abolished as part of the reform). Truth be told I do not foresee myself being able to obtain the top two, but one never knows. I hope that you find this thread interesting and by all means please add to it, improve it, and comment on it as you see fit.

I will start this off with the OST Silver Rays, formally the 6th class, and then post again when my documentation and write-up for the next medal is ready.

Thank you,

Tracy

The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Silver Rays. Formally the 6th class in the pre-reform orders.

The triangular ribbon shape has been retained and it is approximately 47mm (at its widest part) by 40mm long. The color is a shade of blue, and after looking through 144 different shades of blue to me the ribbon color looks closest to cornflower blue but I have no idea what the official color is. On the ribbon is a 4mm gold stripe that is 3mm from each edge.

The central design is per the pre-reform medal: white enameled rays, paste jewels and their connecting lines in red (on page 34 of the third edition of his book Peterson uses the term “red paste”, implying that the jewels and their connecting lines are a type of cut glass), polished silver mirror on a dark blue enameled background, all non-enameled medal surfaces in silver. Like the pre-reform medal, the width of the new medal is approximately 40mm from ray tip to ray tip. However, given the new suspension the length is now approximately 57mm from the top of the 12h paulownia flower to the tip of either of the longest bottom two rays. The suspension is new and appears to be the same suspension device used on the post-reform Order of the Rising Sun, with the exception of the enameling on the obverse leaves and flower stems. On the OST Silver Rays the three paulownia leaves and flower stems are enameled white and the leaves have silver veins. The flowers are in a 3; 5; 3 configuration, are enameled light purple, and the silver medal fills in between them and the stems. The piece on the suspension through which the metal ring attaching the ribbon is threaded is no longer in the shape of a ball, it is now in the shape of a puck.

The entire reverse is silver with a sandblasted looking finish, in contrast to the smooth finish of the pre-reform OSTs. At approximately the midway point of the 3h and 9h arms is a phillips head screw, obviously fasteners for the two piece construction. Like the pre-reform pieces, the four “order of merit” characters are arranged in a square in the center of the badge. The reverse of the leaves and flowers suspension device is flat and featureless; there is no detailed representation of the flowers and stems, and this is just like the reverse of the suspension device of the post-reform Orders of the Rising Sun. My example has the hallmark J6 stamped on the bottom leaf at 6h. As of July 27, 2023 this hallmark is not listed on the wonderful Medals of Asia website at https://asiamedals.info/threads/two-letter-and-letter-digit-marks-on-japanese-orders-and-medals.13720/.

The case in my example is black lacquered wood. I know this for a fact because there is damage to the right, inside edge of the top of the case and the wood is clearly showing through. The case is approximately 65mm wide by 130mm long by 30mm high. The top and bottom are joined by a silver colored hinge at the back, fully visible when the lid is open and with three phillips head screws on the top and the bottom hinge plates. The lid is secured by a pin-and-hole silver clasp with a circle-next-to-circle design bordered by a smooth edge. The inside top is of a purple colored satin like material, and the medalbed, recessed in the outline of the medal, is a purple colored velvet like material.

The round rosette is of the same colors as the ribbon, blue with six gold stripes radiating from the center. There is no hallmark on the metal portion of it.

Obverse with rosette:

Reverse (note the J6 hallmark stamped on the bottom leaf at 6h):

Lacquered case lid with the script 瑞寶単光章, Order of the Sacred Treasure Silver Rays:

Close up of the clasp:

My second post is also of a Post-2003 Order of the Sacred Treasure. This time it is what was formerly known as the Third Class, but now known as the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon. It is a beautiful piece and it has the hallmark E6.

Tracy

Obverse:

Reverse:

Hallmark E6:

I have finally come back to this thread as I now have two more pieces to post. My first one is a Post-2003 Order of the Sacred Treasure Gold Rays with Rosette, formerly the 4th Class. This one has BZ as the hallmark. The hallmark strike was very weak, so it was difficult to get a picture of it with my cell phone camera.

Enjoy.

Tracy

Obverse:

Reverse:

BZ hallmark:

Farkas,

More great postcards. This is a wonderful thread.

All the best,

Tracy

It has taken me a while but I have finally acquired a Women’s Patriotic Association 2nd Class Merit Badge. This badge looks the same as the Third Class Merit, except that it is gilt. This was awarded for recruiting more than 150 new members.

All the best,

Tracy

Obverse:

Reverse. Inscription 愛國婦人會有功章 for Women’s Patriotic Association Merit Badge:

Box lid. Central column 貮等有功章 for Second Class Merit Badge and right hand column 愛國婦人會 for Women’s Patriotic Association:

Left hand corner of the box bottom: left column is 東京玉寶堂謹製 for Made by Tokyo Gyokuhō and right column is 官内省御用達 for something like “official purveyor”:

Dear No One,

The download works. If only I could read French. 😃

All the best,

Tracy.