JapanX

Well, this is one nice, quiet mystery - that is for sure. Cheers, Nick

and this

We couldn’t link this type of clasp exclusively to some ribbon color style, because of this

Obviously both orders are from Meiji epoch. So this type of clasp may be a) the early variation of oval clasp that co-existed for some time with plate clasp during late Meiji epoch b) replacement clasp (and/or ribbon with such type of clasp) that was manufactured by some private workshop

Here they are together.

And here is another variation of such clasp (clasp has border line and another surface detail contrast).

Dieter example

And then we have this very interesting and intriguing variation of oval clasp for 3rd class sacred treasures ribbons – oval clasp with image of mirror. Here we have interesting example from Dieter.

Traditionally it is believed that plate clasp belong to Meiji epoch and oval clasp to Taisho/Showa epoch. I think that it will be right to assume that this is indeed the case. The only question is when this change in clasp construction occurred. Of course I don’t think that this change in styles occurred abruptly. Most likely it took at least a couple of years or even more. By my estimates the final and definitive change occurred somewhere between 1910 and 1920. I think that oval clasp was introduced by manufacturers because of its greater convenience and reliability.

Oval clasp

Plate clasp

Our colleagues certainly know that in case of 3rd class order ribbons we observe two variations of clasps: plate clasp and oval clasp. Let’s take a good look at them.

Let`s talk about this mystery ;)

I was sure that you will like this gentleman Richard Regards, Nick

What evidence Paul? Everything is in the eye of beholder as I just demostrated. But you are sure one generous adviser and one strict judge. They say that one good turn deserves another. My piece of advise for you is Medice, cura te ipsum!

And I dind`t even manipulated with the angles... Just took more or less suitable photos from scanotheca.

Type 6

Reverse

Type 5

With type 2

Now let`s look at Paul`s man Kite.

Well, do you still have any doubts about this Kite? ;)

We will start from second photo

These photos are very unrelieble material… It’s all about angles. Allow me to show you dear colleagues the following compilations and you will see that. The source of Paul`s confiedence is obvious

I know man and I am very sorry for that, there was some kind glitch (was trying for 15 minutes to sort it out) I will post reverse tomorrow from another computer. Cheers, Nick