JapanX

Now 2nd class. There are two versions of boxes for 2nd class rising suns. Why? Because there were two versions of 2nd class rising sun order between 1875 and 1920s. Peterson was absolutely right when he wrote that The Second Class of the Rising Sun originally consisted of the same breast star alone, worn on the right breast. Imperial Edict No. 76 of November 17, 1888, provided that an accessory insignia would be worn on the neck, and Imperial Board of Decorations Directive No.1 of November 19, 1888, specified that this accessory badge is identical to the Third Class badge of the Order. ("Orders and Medals of Japan and Associated States", 3rd edition, p. 24) Unfortunately not all our colleagues were able to read Peterson opus thoroughly. Otherwise why some of them made such false, sweeping statement like this one: "The Rising Sun breast star does not have its own case since it is always part of a 1st or 2nd class set. Hence, it will be in the relevant case, these are rectangular". I must say this is very poor scholarship. We'll let this statement lies heavy on their phaleristik conscience That`s how early 2nd class case looks like (thanks for the pictures Pieter!!!)

And another 1st class. This one was awarded to His Excellency Sir Reginald Edward Stubbs, Governor of Hong Kong, 1919-1925 on 24 November 1921. Stubbs was born 13 October 1876, son of the Bishop of Chester and later of Oxford. Educated at Radley and Corpus Christi College, Oxford. Entered the Colonial Offce in 1900. Sent on a Special Mission to the Malay Peninsula and Hong Kong in 1912. Colonial Secretary of Ceylon, 1913-1919. CMG 1914. KCMG 1919. Governor of Hong Kong 1919-1925. Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief Jamaica 1926-1932. GCMG 1928. Governor and Commander-in Chief Ceylon 1932-1933. Governor and Commander-in Chief Cyprus 1933-1937. Retired in 1937 after the Bracegirdle Incident. Died 7th December 1947.

Another 1st class box

Rising suns 1st class box (thanks Pieter!) More info about this set http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/52401-grand-cordon-of-the-rising-sun-for-national-hero-of-hungary/

Doc

In the medal bar

Now 4th class box. What we have here is an exellent example of 4th class sacred treasure that was awarded to Generalleutnant Georg Heer in 1899. Between 1897 and 1899 he was an instructor (back in these days he was only Major) in artillery school in Jüterborg - many young japanese officers took his courses

thanks to our colleague Pieter we have a nice close ups of another 3rd class box

Now 3rd class Not very clear pictures, but ...

Rosette

This "swan" mark has been used in France since 1st July, 1893 and up to 1970. It was used on silver articles imported into France from countries without Customs Conventions. Looks like somebody took this breast star to France (somewhere around end of the XIX century)

What we have here is a famous "swan" mark.

Closer

Interestingly this breast star is a marked one. But not with our usual japanese mark Here it is.

This is probably the most beatiful breast star of sacred treasure order that I have in my collection...

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