JapanX

All these are very disturbing So after all type 5 could belong not only to Taisho epoch, but to Meiji (or even early Meiji - in "kites sence of the word" ) What we really need is 100% authentic documented group with type 5 kite... Until then some additional photos of this interesting type.

Looks very much like type 5 :whistle:

Or this exellent photo of the 1895 compaign veteran ...

But then you see this early (made between 1885 and 1905) photo of Togo ...

Type 5 (note the sewn eye on the ribbon ... a sign of early ribbons)

Makes you wonder if type 1 is really type 1 and type 5 is really type 5 ... Of course they are! Here comes the reverses

They look practically identically. Only when you look them straight in the eyes :)

Closer

Well its alarming, but not a "full proof" evidence ... Actually its very far away from "full proff" Try to distinguish (without enlarging) type 1 (on the left) and type 5 ;)

The name of this cavalier is Hidaka Sounojo Same photo with different frame ...

Type 5: Is it Taisho?! The most problematic part of this classification is of course this type 5 (+6). Pieces with "scattered" riverts ... When they were manufactured? During Taisho epoch? Why? Because they are much more scare than type 7 and type 1. But maybe there scarcity is a function of something else... It could be simply small private workshop with small production capacity ... Or they were manufactured during or shortly after 1895 war (not so many cavaliers either) ... Some of these photo-portraits are indeed quite disturbing. Of course first will be this one (it was also shown and "discussed" in this thread http://gmic.co.uk/in...ion-for-japanx/ that ended quite lamentable for "riverts rule")

Record card

Citation of this brave signaller