Wound Badge Evolution

[JapanX]

Obverse and reverse

[JapanX]

Box cover

[JapanX]

This one looks very much like honorary member of imperial military reservist association gold gilt badge on outer orange ribbon (2^nd type of honor badge that was in use after 1940). Here it is for comparison.

[JapanX]

Obverse and reverse.

[JapanX]

For high rank executives of Imperial Wounded and Disabled Soldiers Association we have this very original badge.

It seems that there were two classes of this badge.

Gold gilded badge for top level executives and silver for middle level executives.

But there is a probability that this gold/silver variation was just a consequence of different manufacturers.

[JapanX]

Here comes gold variation of the badge.

[JapanX]

And now silver variation.

[JapanX]

And noooowwwwwwww, please welcome wounded soldiers association good conduct badge (a.k.a. “distinguished” badge).

Japanese enamel craftsmanship at its best.

Real beauty!

[JapanX]

Obverse and reverse.

[JapanX]

Box interior

[JapanX]

Box cover

[JapanX]

Another type of wounded association membership badge (later and most numerous of them all) is this specimen (we will call it “general” badge). It was introduced in late 30s. Here comes its obverse.

[JapanX]

And here we have different variants of reverses for this badge.

[JapanX]

Others variations of reverses of general badge are plain reverses (without any marks) and reverses with 24K mark (not solid gold though – just gold painted )

[JapanX]

Late general badges (80s – 90s) have inferior overall quality, cold enamel and plain reverse. Obverse of such badge will be looking like that.

[JapanX]

In addition to general wounded soldiers association badge practically every branch of association established and issued its own badge.

The design of these badges is practically matching of general badge.

Only the central chrysanthemum is bigger and in its center prefecture emblem (usually clan crest) is imposed.

Usually these badges have individual number on reverse and additional information about issuing branch.

Hopefully next compilation will give us general idea about the design of these interesting badges.

[JapanX]

Compilation.

[JapanX]

Who’s this dude?

Yep. Sometimes you can hear this question in connection to type 4 wound badge.

Kusunoki Masashige (1294 - July 4, 1336) was a 14th century samurai and national hero who epitomized loyalty, courage, and devotion to the Emperor (this point if view was especially popular during 30s).

Wanna more? Go to http://en.wikipedia....unoki_Masashige

But before that, take a look at this portrait of our prototype hero.

Edited November 12, 2011 by JapanX

[JapanX]

An one more intent look.

[JapanX]

That`s all for today lady`s and gentelman`s.

Regards,

Nick

[Dieter3]

Document number: 8426

Recipient name: Murakami Hisakichi-san

Dated: January 9, 1941

Wound type: shell splinter hit at right thigh

Wow, even naming the location and type of wound? Fascinating!!!

[Brian Wolfe]

My jaw drops at viewing your collection of wound badges, as I sit here with only one in my collection.

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

What a great post and the range of your collection of wound badges is fantastic.

Thanks again for this top notch post Nick.

Regards

Brian

[JapanX]

My jaw drops at viewing your collection of wound badges, as I sit here with only one in my collection.

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

What a great post and the range of your collection of wound badges is fantastic.

Thanks again for this top notch post Nick.

Regards

Brian

Hi Brian

Thank you for kind words.

Of course not all badges are from mine collection

That's why I want once more to express my gratitude to my colleagues and friends (in fact they are GMIC members too) for their invaluable help.

And I dare to say second little appendix is coming in the next few days.

Regards,

Nick

Edited November 13, 2011 by JapanX

[JapanX]

APPENDIX II

Another small addendum for japanese wound badges aficionados.

[JapanX]

Some wound badges were signed on reverse by their owners (same goes for the pilot badges and army/navy classification badges). However I saw only type 4 signed badges. Here is a nice example of such signed badge.