Classification of Golden Kites in 6th and 7th class

[JapanX]

Here we go again.

Again?

Yes, again!

This time we will hit lower classes.

What for? Something wrong with the old classification for 6 and 7 class?

No. Everything fine with it.

So why we need a new one?

This classification will be just more in-depth, made for “mad about”, “can’t live without” golden kites aficionados.

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As usual there are three columns. Left – a photo of a Kite. Central – my attribution of the piece to specific time period (Meiji–Taisho–Showa). Right – number under which the given type of a kite will be mentioned in the further discussion.

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Here it is.

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There are 7 basic types. Every basic type (except type 4 and type 7) has sub variations. Here they are.

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Sub variations of types 1 and 2.

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Sub variations of types 3, 5 and 6.

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Altogether we have 7 basic types with 10 sub variations. 17 different kites on 17 different badges. Let’s take a close look at them. But before that a little note about reverses.

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Short note about reverses

All types have identical polished reverses. For this reason reverses will be ignored in our further discussion. It is only necessary to notice that on some copies of type 7 there is a stamp mark in the form of latin letter M which usually can be found on the centre of the "tail". This is Osaka Mint mark. Also it will be interesting to note that on "tails" of type 1 and 2 we usually meet two deep thin sawcuts which repeat the bottom part of a pole (sawcuts on the majority of signs are made inaccurately and often have different length). At types 3 and 4 such sawcuts are almost imperceptible (or are only slightly indicated). Types 5 and type 6 have wide sawcuts of the correct geometrical form of a square or a rectangle. Type 7 has sawcuts of the form of a square. This nuance can be studied on the following two compilations of most common variants. Compilations also show us potential instability of this feature.

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For types 1-4.

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For types 5-7.

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And here we got a typical type 7 reverse with letter M on tail.

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Type 1.1 Meiji

Classical wings of Meiji epoch. Classical characteristics of old Meiji badge (this characteristics will be discussed by us a little later).

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Type 1.1. is very unified type. Here comes a pair of twins – two type 1.1 perfect substitutes of each other.

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This base type has two very similar sub variations (1.2 and 1.3).

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Type 1.2 Meiji

Thinner kite and other execution of the bottom part of wings.

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Type 1.3 Meiji

Same as at the previous type except little differences in the body of a kite and in bottom part of his wings.

Edited September 22, 2011 by JapanX

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Type 2.1 Meiji

Different shape of a kite body.

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Type 2.2 Meiji

Slightly different shape of a kite body on comparison with the previous type.

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Type 2.3 Meiji

Another shape of a kite body.

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Type 2.4 Meiji

Slightly different shape of a kite body in comparison with the previous type.

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Type 3.1 Meiji

Other shape of a kite body and slightly different geometry of wings.

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Type 3.2 Meiji “Diamond border”

Practically the same kite body (only the head of a kite is more raised). Stamp differences. All badges of this type (that I met) had a diamond border on obverse (on perimeter) and on mitzutomo signs. Very interesting and beautiful sub version!

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Type 3.3 Meiji

Other shape of a kite body in comparison with the previous type.

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Type 4 Meiji “Triangle wing”

Different geometry of a kite body and (especially) wings. Wing ends sharper (almost correct triangles). Quite unified type.

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Here we got two another badges of this type. I hope these photos will show in more detailed fashion the feature of “triangle wing ends”.