JapanX

Now detailed photos of obverses and reverses.

Classification of type 4

Classification of type 3

Classification of type 2

Classification of type 1

Ok. Let`s talk metal (and silver in case of 1938 type)...

But there were also other differences in design (other than just size). And a lot of them. Here comes a nice chart handmade by Nick Komiya.

Smaller size badge was created only in 1920 for Officers wounded in battle or public service. In 1924 badges for EM and Officers became identical size (smaller one). This is the last page of 1924 order.

Design of the early types (1913, 1920 and 1924) were in the shape of a shield with Sensho and Kosho written in Kanji in the middle. But the most suprising fact - bigger shield badges were intended for EM and not for the Officers!!! Here comes last page from 1913 regulation order.

Summary.

Four types Contrary to common belief there were four types of wound badge 1913 type, 1920 type, 1924 type and 1938 type (not just 1913 and 1938 type). And not only every type has two variations or classes (Sensho variation (or Sen’Sho) – badge for wounds in battle (higher class) and Kosho variation (or Ko’Sho or Kousho) – badge for wounds in public service (lower class)), but different types of badges were intended for different ranks. Yep. Kinda tricky. First type has been created in March of 1913 and was strictly limited to privates and NCOs (EM). No officers were allowed… This badge had two variations (Sensho and Kosho). Second type had two sub-types – one intended for ET and another for officers. In turn each sub-type had two variations (Sensho and Kosho). Third type again had two sub-types – one for ET and another for officers. In turn each sub-type had two variations (Sensho and Kosho). Fourth type was most unified. One badge for all ranks in two variations (Sensho and Kosho). Here comes the summary of this mess.

For a long time I’ve been fascinated by japanese wound badges (especially by their early types). But lack of any serious information about these badges (together with amazing scarcity of early types) prevented any (more or less) serious classification attempts. But few days ago everything has changed. Thanks to Nick Komiya. He managed to get and translate some real amazing info from Japan’s National Archive and he did it amazingly fast. He was kind enough to give me a permission to use his chart summary of official regulations for this badge as well as some scans of original regulation documents. Time has come to pay a little tribute to this little beautiful treasures of Japanese phaleristics.

Document dated February 26, 1946. Name of the recipient Matsushita Kanesaku.

Order itself.

First the document

The color images have always been added after... Take a close look at red cross above the text. Same kind off center tendency. Maybe lithograph was really emotional.... So I think it's a clear cut case of sex change operation and it's aftermaths ... Your move...

Nice calligraphy! As always I am right here for you mate. Maybe sex change operation? What do you think? Am I Dieter little helper or what?

Thanks a lot mate! Both versions ... Fabulous ... Nice display they got back in RC library...

Let's hope your wife will not read this ... I hope you took some pictures! It will be really cool to see them mate... Yes. I know someone with this piece (if you mean completely gold plated medal) in his collection I will ask for photos... But you know... This collectors...

Let's go back. Remember this statement? Is that really so? This is what I found in Peterson 3rd edition, p. 76 "A badge (i.e. RC order) awarded in 1952 has a ..." This is the only written evidence I could find about post war awards that were made before 1956.

Give us some time... I am still waiting for family reunification... High end... Yep we need some documented group from 70s or 80s... But authentic one is very hard to find... We'll see...

Ok. Got some news. I just bought a small documented group of sacred treasures orders. Among them - our old friend - 6th class variation B. The group is authentic - no doubt about (it came from the family). Ready? Document for 6th class dated by 26 february 1946!!! What a surprise!!! For me it is Not for my mate Dieter He was absolutely correct when he said So now we have a new time period for variation B 1946 (probably 1944 or even earlier) - 90s (i.e. early 90s or even late 80s?) Cheers, Nick

You are too mistrustful my friend! Just look at me! One truly confiding person! P.S. Same goes for the rising sun and sacred treasure early rosettes.

There will be no distinction as we see in the case of early style rosettes for golden kites. Whenever in doubt - just call me :lol:

Please pay attention to the obverse quality. Obvious progress! No signs of typical fantasy madness and better overall quality. As I said slowly, but surely... We'll wait and see. Cheers, Nick