JapanX

“The 1st and 3rd class badges which lack the M have transparent blue enamel, brighter red enamel, the prongs holding the pearls are tapered and knob is 6,5 mm high. The lower classes without the M are struck from the same dies as those with the M, but the dies are obviously worn. The dull portions are pitted rather than frosted, the collars of the inner beads very low and the enameled beads convexed to compensate for this. Apparently the pieces without the M mark are of later issue.”

It will be interesting to add that Peterson in his book talked about “late war” pillars too. Here comes an interesting quote from page 147.

Obviously, somebody used this low-class pillars of the state piece as trinket or coulomb.

Reverse

Obverse

But not all japanese orders were so lucky! Some were converted not in jewelry workshop, but in prison camps after WW II. Here is a nice example of such piece. It was found couple of years ago in Kolyma near Hatynng-nah village during routine goldfield works (flushing of the sands on stream “red”). Probably it came from one of the prison camps that were there back in late 40s (from prisoner or guard). Just to give you a general idea about this place - today (14/12/11) temperature in Hatynng-nah village is - 38 °C (-36,4 °F).

Hi Mickey It may be... Or this drop may be a consequence of introduction "only dead will get his Kite" practice... Or was it material problems? Which resulted in "let's postpone the actual issuing of the awards to the next of kin"? They didn't even issue the standard classical documents for kites after 1940 ... There are a many different possibilities... Cheers, Nick

False statement! Actually there is a regulation established back in 1894, that lists in every detail the acts of bravery that count for a Golden Kite order. It includes 80 different articles!

In addition to one possible explanation of very high number of awards reported by Peterson in his book. After 1941 every recipient of golden kite award should a) commit extraordinary act of bravery b) be dead If these two points were accomplished, then he simultaneously was promoted and awarded with golden kite order (with class appropriate to his rank). For example kamikaze pilot chief petty officer Kazuo Tanaka was killed 6th April 1945. He was posthumously promoted to ensign and awarded with 4th class golden kite order (still unbelievably "no-way-it-could-happen-before-1941" high class for ensign!!!). Just to remind you gents - ensign is a junior rank of a commissioned officer (same as fähnrich in German army). It will be quite realistic to assume that this practice maybe be the main reason behind such high number of awards made.

Could you post these numbers? If it is possible of course ;)

This is the end of today little story. It will be nice to hear your comments dear colleagues. Cheers, Nick

Is this metal covered with rust? I think NO. I think this is one of many tricks that patina has for us. ;)

Like this one

Maybe this one? So where are Peterson late rough unpolished metal pieces? I don’t know. Maybe they were produced in such little quantities, that now they are even more rarity than Bukosho badges? Do they exist at all? I don’t know. As I said earlier I’ve never laid my hands on one of these late pieces. But sometimes I meet strange looking 7th class badges.

But nevertheless the quality is still very high if not superb! I couldn’t believe that this “late” piece was created by some mythical “Manchukuo mint” back in 1944 or 1945. My main concern here is economical rationality of such creation. Why create a new mint? The costs are way too high (just trust me on that folks ). Especially if one will take into account comparatively small number of awards made. But remote (“remote” from my point of view of course) probability is still exists that this pieces were produced by “Manchukuo mint” which was created because of some kind prestigio reason.

Close-ups

General view

The third stable feature (in addition to reverses workmanship) of the allegedly-late-war-Manchukuo-made-pillars is suspension in the form of kaoliang. Take a close look at form and diameter of “stamens” …

Centers

The second stable feature (in addition to reverses workmanship) of the allegedly-late-war-Manchukuo-made-pillars is glassier, more transparent enamel in color lines of central octahedron and larger diameter of points along central octahedron perimeter. Just take a look at this compilation.

Striking differences! Often you could hear that badges with non-polished reverses are definitely from the late war period. Sometimes speaker even add that unpolished pillars are made by Manchukuo mint itself (I am not even aware that that there was Manchukuo mint!? I think that all orders and most badges were made by Japanese mint and only some badges were manufactured inside occupied China. The quality of manufacturing and technology itself are very very japanese).

Reverses

But please note, that both specimens have very similar and high quality manufactured obverses. And now the reverses of two “early” and “late” 4th (or, if you wish, 5th) classes.

Reverses

Obverses