Dieter3

I think you'd be O.K. either way. I also believe that rosettes could be replaced if lost or damaged, so a lost bow may very well end up as a button! Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I could swear I read or heard about this.

Hmmmm. I'm not necessarily convinced that it is Meiji. I've seen pieces in this case style with both bow and button rosettes. I think it merits more study!

Not sure about that! I think there are more than 3 (kanji) variations for Meiji era. I've only ever seen this type of case with the button rosettes, not bows - would that not place them into a later era? (Not that they can't exist without a bow rosette, I've just never seen one....) I also believe the kanji style to be more "sophisticated" than that of Meiji-era pieces - I'm more familiar with these as Meiji: http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_12_2011/post-6375-0-84659700-1325174663.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_12_2011/post-6375-0-78563900-1325174672.jpg

Very nice!!!

Well, it is one of those pieces that "has character" as they say. I'd much rather have a "mint" one just like it, but I'm really happy with this piece even though it isn't perfect!

Well, not quite mint, but nice! I would agree that this case type was used in later Taisho and early Showa, not sure about Meiji though?

Well, the mirror is not as large as earlier pieces, plus the katakana equivalent of this character is found on the 1914-15 war medal. Not saying for sure, just my theory!

A bit beat up, it's hard a somewhat neglected life, but it has character and a nice hallmark, I believe associating this with the WWI-era.

Two new acquisitions - a pre-war Osaka piece with a marked rosette, and a post-war. Both in good condition, the post-war one is really nice.

Thanks! Yes, most impressed with the case - it is better than those mystery Red Cross ones!! Hopefully somebody will know more about these - there must be others.

Here's kind of an interesting one - the case is not lacquer, rather paper-wrapped, like the China Incident medal. Osaka mint, rosette also marked "ス" - I would think this would date the overall piece to the late 20s/early 30s, but can't quite figure out the case. Replacement of sorts? It's really quite well made. Interior is the same, satin-like material, zero metal hardware on it.

Yes, I must make a claim of ignorance myself - I know next to nothing about Manchukuo items beyond what is in Peterson and that they are gorgeous pieces!

Nevermind - Rich just cleared this up in the other post!!

Hey, this is "avian" profiling! They're not fat, they're just "big-boned"..... Was there in fact a Manchukuo Mint? Peterson would lead me to believe all of these medals were made in Japan.

And forgot to mention - considering how many of these merit medals are out there, I am really surprised at the apparent lack of documents on the market! And yes, the similarity of the two cases is very obvious! Can't say 100%, but I'd agree - same maker!