Gordon Williamson Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 Unlike the Rising Sun and Sacred Treasure Orders, which were available to both civilian and military people, the Golden Kite was purely military. After WW2 Japan renounced militarism ( and now only has not Armed Forces but a "Self Defence Force") and thus no need for purely military decorations. The Golden Kite was abolished in 1947.The award shows the legendary Golden Kite, the messenger of the Gods over a pair of crossed Samurai shields each with a sword and banner superimposed and vertically in the centre, a sheathed Halberd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted June 7, 2005 Author Share Posted June 7, 2005 Close up Obverse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted June 7, 2005 Author Share Posted June 7, 2005 Die truck in silver, the tiny M at the bottom indicates the Osaka Mint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lapa Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 Die truck in silver, the tiny M at the bottom indicates the Osaka Mint. Gordon,Do all Golden Kites have/should have that small "M" mintmark?Marc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurence Strong Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 (edited) No the "M" was the hallmark for the Osaka mint IIRC Edited June 20, 2008 by Laurence Strong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul L Murphy Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 The M mintmark was only used for a certain period during the Showa era so most pieces you encounter will not have the mintmark even though they were made at the mint. Japanese sources are unclear as to exactly when the mark was used but it appears to be the during the 30s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter J Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 Here's an early piece my friend picked up a while back. The details are stunning, especially the breast feathers cheersPeter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul L Murphy Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 That is a beautiful example of a Meiji era piece. These are much harder to find than the later Showa era awards, and much nicer as well in my humble opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 Thought I'd take the liberty of adding a ferw of my own. Here's the Japanese portion of my collectionJA_Medals001_edited___Copy_5.bmp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 Here's the 5th Class Kite. The enamel really does make a difference on this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 And here's the 6th class. I'd be grateful for comments by Paul, Richard, others on the vintagfe of these guys. ThanksHugh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 Apologies for shooting these through the glass. Taking the frame apart was just too daunting. I'd have to add / rearrange all the new medals. Hugh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul L Murphy Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 The 6th Class is a Showa era piece. I would need to see the reverse of the 5th before I make up my mind on the vintage.Regards,Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 The 6th Class is a Showa era piece. I would need to see the reverse of the 5th before I make up my mind on the vintage.Regards,PaulThanks for the input. I'll shoot the back when I take the frame apart.Best,Hugh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksg Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 (edited) HelloGreat looking medals! I have not collected Japanese medals myself, but here are two Golden Kite sake cups (sakazuki type). The metal one is from the first Sino-Japanese War 1894-1895. The other was given to a soldier named Minagava, and is dated on the back, 20 May 1937. Kjell Edited July 31, 2008 by ksg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksg Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksg Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksg Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noor Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 Hi guys,I just got this one and would love to hear some toughts from Japanise award collectors. Like I understand it can be 5th or 4th class. Am I right? Also what would be the period when this piece was made and how many Order of Golden Kite's 4th and 5th classes were awarded in total? Oh, many questions but I am just doing my first steps on this field as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josef Rietveld Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 is this the piece offered at wehrmacht awards forum?josef Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noor Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Yes, thats the same one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul L Murphy Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Hi guys,I just got this one and would love to hear some toughts from Japanise award collectors. Like I understand it can be 5th or 4th class. Am I right? Also what would be the period when this piece was made and how many Order of Golden Kite's 4th and 5th classes were awarded in total? Oh, many questions but I am just doing my first steps on this field as well.This is a 5th class order, the 4th class had all the silver parts gilded including the reverse. Have a look at my pinned article on dating Golden Kites to fix the date on this one. It is well worn and has seen better days. It is not possible to accurately say the number awarded of the 4th or 5th class, however the 5th class is possibly more common than the 6th class. They certainly turn up more often even though they are a lot more expensive.Regards,Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now