Gunjinantiques

That bottom medal is tough. I can figure each kanji out by itself but they make no real sense when put together. If Rich isn't correct, he's probably pretty close. Another way to read it would be top to bottom, right to left, which it would be KYOUBU (something to do with education), TETSUSEN (iron & something to do with method) and SATSUBEN (satsu has something to do with money and ben is something to do with language dialect). Most of these have various readings but the meanings are pretty much the same. Reading this right to left, up to down, or left to right it doesn't make much sense in Japanese and it's only from 1924. Unless it was for such a small local event that only those involved would know what it means. And I bet you thought the top one was going to be the hard one. Lol.

Top line: KEIJOU YAKUGAKU SENMONGAKKOU KOUYUUKAI (Keijou Pharmaceutical Vocational School Friends Association). Center line: TAIIKUBU (Athletic Club).

I'm sorry, but people need to be called out when their comments aren't appropriate or they aren't being honest. This is how spoiled children become rotten adults. I joined the GMIC for the honesty and intergrity that surpasses other sites. I find it lacking in the above comments. Have any of my comments above been untrue, off mark or unreasonable?

We're obviously going around in circles from now on. Anyone that has followed this converstation over the last few pages can obviously see that you're not being entirely honest and just going to hold your ground no matter what. That's fine, now we know more about you. "Anyway, not trying to make things bigger," but by using "Chinese collaborator" in the auction title and not explaining the truth in the description simply compounds what we now know. Wow, hypocrisy is pretty easy when it's done behind the safety of a computer screen. Cheers, John

Let's see if Rich is capable of cutting out the snide remarks and venom laced half-hearted apologies. Then we can put this behind us.

Laughable. You write: "Anyway, not trying to make things bigger, but I'm imagining that John is afraid that the buyer of the medal will see these posts and become dissatisfied. I understand that it would be unsettling." Why in the world would I be afraid of the buyer seeing these forums? Seriously anyone want to chime in and stick up for Rich on any of his posts about this? All I sense is childish, hypocritcal, back talking rhetoric. There's a difference between a discussion regarding current prices for medals and what you're up. By the way, the reason why I didn't use your name was that I had forgotten what it was and in lieu of getting it wrong I just didn't write it. And no, I didn't want to bother bother to search for it. It might help if you simply list it on here. You could have saved some face by simply apologizing for copying my title down to the quotation usage, and trying to use my auction to boost yours when it suited your interest. It was great then, wasn't it?. Hmmm. And I notice how you didn't bother to actually explain to the bidders that the Chinese collaborator story isn't true. You just left that hanging there in the title. I think we all expected a little more honesty and intergrity from you Rich. We all have lapses in judgement, it's just most of us realize it and apologize for it. You just keep digging a deeper hole every time you respond.

This just seems to be a case of sour grapes. First my title was copied and pasted. Second, the person that can't stop berating my listing or the buyer writes a description like this: "This auction: An official medal from WW2 Japan. This is the extra rare 1942 China War Commemorative Medal. Just last week a ribboned example sold for $1499 Ebay item number (120937717528), so that will give you an idea of the scarcity. NO RIBBON OR CASE. (Actually, no case is known to exist.)Very few minted; no record of them ever having been awarded. It is one of the rarest of all Japanese medals, and it would be a great edition to any medal collection. Established in September 1942 and abolished in 1945." Hmmm, seems like the price that mine sold for was used to justify how buyers should bid a lot for this auction. It didn't seem to bother him when it suited his cause. Seller ultimately wasn't happy with ending price so jumps on here and let's us all have it. This isn't educational discourse, this is sour grapes and I was in the cross hairs. Or is this just hyperbole too?

You wrote, "My piece sold for $361.00. So, to show how overpriced John's was--and how some ebay buyers are just crazy--the other buyer paid over $1000 for a ribbon. The mind boggles... Granted, my medal was a bit less nice than the other, but ...! $1000 for a ribbon!" Is this normal discourse for this forum? If it is, then I'll visit less often. Just so we're all clear, let's compare what you keep going on about: Mine: http://www.ebay.com/itm/VERY-RARE-WWII-ERA-JAPANESE-1942-CHINA-INCIDENT-CHINESE-COLLABORATOR-WAR-MEDAL-/120937717528?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c28731f18 Yours: http://www.ebay.com/itm/VERY-RARE-WWII-ERA-JAPANESE-1942-CHINA-INCIDENT-CHINESE-COLLABORATOR-WAR-MEDAL-/360475134965?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53edfe0bf5 Try not to get them confused as the titles are exactly the same for some reason.

It just seems a little petty to go on about the price and the new owner. The guy is a serious collector and a gentleman and you speak about him as if he was a newbie. And since when is simple fact hypebole?

I don't think mine was overpriced considering how pristine it was. The buyer picked it up in Kyoto and loves it. The price he'll soon forget, but he'll always have a rare medal that's about as nice as you'll ever hope to find. All parties were happy.

SOLD! Buyer has a medal that he'll treasure for years.

Nick, you mean you think the smaller ribbon pre-dates the set? Also, the OMSA book says this medal was established in 1934, I assumed it would be from that year or later. And you're right, it has an "M" on top of the suspension knob. The set was purchased from the original owner in 1946 and I got it from the purchaser's son. It hasn't passed through too many hands.

I think you mean it was converted to an "obidome." I have several in my collection. Easier than collecting kimono! Lol.

Hi guys! I have a question. I have so little experience with higher class orders like this that I simply am not sure of the answer. This 3rd Class set came with two cravats, a large and a small. I've seen the small cravat for an Order of the Sacred Treasure before too. I assume it's used under the shirt collar so the medal can be worn close to the neck...Is this correct? Thanks in advance for your help. John

Before eBay takes down these photos, you may want to grab some for an example of a wounded soldier association plate. An interesting piece. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110686743533