JapanX

Let’s go back to the question of mint marks (to catch up with the beginning of our discussion you should go to http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/51243-order-of-the-sacred-treasure) and mark M in particular. Allow me to remind you that according to Dieter hypothesis mark M was created in 1929 and was in use only for a short period of time. Osaka mint used this mark as proof of identity (this issue became especially important after medal scandal). That’s why we couldn’t find mark M on all specimens from 30s and first half of 40s. And that’s why we couldn’t find this M mark on after WW II pieces.

Just to keep my mate Dieter busy and RC ball rolling... What will be your diagnosis Doc?

Note how extremely close (by general appearance and central mirror delineation) variation B (toward the end of its existence) resembles variation C. Obverses differ from each other only by “eyes” – C has eyes of larger diameter.

Just take a look at this photo display. Beautiful 6th class (late type of variation B) and no less beautiful 5th class (variation C).

Of course they are By the box This wonder-box ...

That is why I was (and am ) so skeptical about your box. Cheers, Nick

Central tablets

Reverses

First of all - you are Kamikadze! And in the second - here comes legit box with same order as yours (only gold class) and with same rosette and attachment. Check this out.

Have a nice vacation Greg! P.S. What we`ve got here is another cold-hearted policeman Nice story! Thanks Mervyn. Cheers, Nick

Very rare thing! And in great condition. Actually this is complete 2nd class/incomplete 1st class :cheers:

Display case full of military sake cups :lol:

Erratum I should be read: ...Above all there are 2nd class breast stars in rectangular boxes – they are definitely from 1941+ period.

Very nice specimen! Judging by the central mirror delineation it could be Taisho period award (no early than 1910 no older than 1930). The box is from Meiji/Taisho for sure. Is there are any mint marks on the breast star and the sign? Cheers, Nick

Hi Pieter! I`ve been thinking about this remark. An yes, you are absolutely right. Its not easy to be nominated for 3rd calss during Meiji/Taisho epoch. And statute of the order is not very precise. "For outstanding military deeds..." I think the main factors (in order of there importance) for this or that class nomination were Your rank and current position Current accomplishment for nomination Your previous accomplishments Your previous awards Your age But maybe during Pacific War conditions for nomination become more democtatic because of the posthumous factor? I know that in 1942 one japanese fighter-ace were posthumously awarded by 2nd class!!! It is unbelievebly high decoration for "ordinary" fighter pilot - even if he is ace of aces!!! Maybe this is the answer for why so many kites in higher classes??? And of course the scale factor. The scale of war. Regards, Nick

Blood donation for 100+ times was and is "one of this things" for sure. I wonder how many blood donations you shoud make to get the gold order? And does it humanly possible at all? :lol:

Very picturesque cover of the book . .. The book itself is very pro-Japanese and this why it`s very interesting and entertaining reading .

This is your answer. ...And as far as I know this piece is still in the possession of this great Museum along with Napoleon Légion d'Honneur collar and many others rare and beautiful phaleristic treasures. This photo was made through showcase glass. Just take a good look and you will see that. Cheers, Nick

Thank you very much Richard! :beer: So now we have 336 028 actually manufactured kites for Pacific War. Great! Again many thanks for this information and for your excellent site! Regards, Nick

An this is the book from which I borrow empress photo (the book itself is highly recommended for reading). Title

And here Meiji wife Ichijo Haruko (Empress Shoken) with such star.

A little refreshment ... Here we got real rarity + real beauty! Breast Star of the Sacred Crown order. Early Meiji. From the Musée de la Légion d'Honneur collection. Enjoy!

Cheers mate Or donate your blood more than 100 times and you`ll get your silver cross ;)

This is great news Pieter! It`s once again confirms stability of distribution in lower classes!!! I shall remind that in 3rd class we have 0,42% for Meiji and 0,38% for Taisho. The main problem is 831 822 I think that majority (or actually all) of these kites were posthumous awards. But how many of them exists in real world? I don`t have an answer. But I think that 4000 is not that overoptimistic number. Just take a look at the 1st and 2nd class % for Showa kites. If you will take into account scale factor, then you will have practically Meiji % for 1st and 2nd class. Regards, Nick

Yes, but how many? For that we need documents. Or just one will do it. From 1945. Or from 1944 or 1943. 1942? 1941? You are absolutely right about documents. I`ve never seen any document on golden kite that was dated later than spring 1940. Why? I don’t have an answer. Some change occured. What change? I don`t know.