TYPE 2 WOUND BADGE

[bsweeney]

A second model wound badge, introduced in August of 1938, and known as the "Shoigunjinsho." The gilded badge is comprised of a 1/2" diameter medallion with the image of Kusunoke Masashige, a medieval Samurai and folk hero, to it, from behind which diagonally extend four spear points, 1 1/4" from point to point, each separated by a horizontal or vertical, red enameled Samurai shield. To the reverse is a vertical, hinged, doubled pin-back device and its catch. To the reverse of each of the spear points and the horizontal shields is embossed a kanji character, which together translate as "Military Wound Badge." A further two characters are embossed beneath the pin-back device, being the less common "Ko-sho"- establishing the badge as awarded for wounds from other reasons (as opposed to the more common "Sen-sho," awarded for wounds sustained in battle). All of the enamel work to the obverse is intact and still bright, and the gilding to the medallion appears to have been fully retained, although it has worn from the spear points and to the reverse.

[Paul L Murphy]

The reverse picture is upside down !

Also, the Ko-sho badge is more common than the Sen-sho version since far more people ended up invalided out of the army as a result of illness and disease (even in the 1930's) than battle wounds. The enamel on these is very weak and you normally find it with hairline cracks.

I was actually married in the shrine in Kobe where Kusunoke Masashige is enshrined as a god so I suppose you could say he was an important participant in my wedding !

Nice badge.

Edited December 10, 2007 by Paul L Murphy

[bsweeney]

The reverse picture is upside down !

Also, the Ko-sho badge is more common than the Sen-sho version since far more people ended up invalided out of the army as a result of illness and disease (even in the 1930's) than battle wounds. The enamel on these is very weak and you normally find it with hairline cracks.

I was actually married in the shrine in Kobe where Kusunoke Masashige is enshrined as a god so I suppose you could say he was an important participant in my wedding !

Nice badge.

Interesting facts thank you!