Japan 2nd class of Golden Kite for the God of War

[JapanX]

The inscription reads "God of the Air Force".

[JapanX]

Today you can buy a model of his plain

[JapanX]

[JapanX]

... and even Katō himself

[JapanX]

P.S.

Time Magazine

Monday, Oct. 26, 1942

World Battlefronts: Japan's Heroes

Japan awarded its highest military decoration - the Order of the Golden Kite - to 955 officers and men for feats in the Pacific, to 3,031 more who had fought in China. The list included such ranking officers as Vice Admiral Yukichi Yashire, Rear Admirals Yukio Kato and Toshio Otake, Major Generals Chikegi Usui and Tateo Kato. The interesting thing was not that Japan had so many heroes, but that the heroes were dead when they received the Order of the Golden Kite.

[JapanX]

P.P.S.

The only papers that was selling simultaneously with the breast star (a couple of years ago).

Any help with translation will be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

Nick

[JapanX]

[JapanX]

[JapanX]

[Laurence Strong]

Very nice and well done reaserch

Thanks for posting

Larry

[Roman1981]

Nik, this is amazing story, thank you for posting. Real life is embodied in a beautiful order.

[JapanX]

Another Muscovite in japanese section!

At last!

Welcome to GMIC Roman!

Glad you liked this little star guys

[drclaw]

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Nick!

What a great thread and I especially liked the fact that you can buy model kits not just of Kato's plane, but the man himself!

The Golden Kite itself is in pristine condition, as you would expect for a medal that was never worn.

[JapanX]

Hi Gavin!

...I especially liked the fact that you can buy model kits not just of Kato's plane, but the man himself!

Guys in modelling really dig stuff like that

Me too

The Golden Kite itself is in pristine condition, as you would expect for a medal that was never worn.

This condition is quite unique

Thanks man and a Happy New Year! :cheers:

[Markus]

Nick,

Your scholarly detail and thoroughness on this thread just blow me away as usual! Thanks for such an interesting and beautiful post and Happy New Year!

Markus

[JapanX]

Thank you dear Mark!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! :cheers:

[pieter1012]

Hi Nick,

my grandchildren left yesterday and I finally have time to catch up with GMIC.

A beautiful and historically important Golden Kite you have and thank you for sharing this treasure with us. I don't know if anyone has already provided you with a translation by pm, but herewith the translation.

The envelope is addressed to Kato Tateo Donno (honorific for Mr), Nakano-ku, Saginomiya, 2-9-4

The document is the promotion of Kato Tateo from rikugun shosha to chusha; from army major to lt. colonel, issued on 19-02-1942 and signed by prime minister Tojo Hideki

The last is a paperwrap on which is written shiroi kin ichimai; one white band (the band which is put around the head, usually with a rising sun or some script and which is wrapped in paper when it is handed out)

Hope this is of some help,

Pieter

[JapanX]

Thank you very much for translation Pieter!

[Jareth]

Great presentation! How were you able to find & purchase such a rare set? Any good stories ?

[JapanX]

Any good stories ?

It surfaced in Japan a couple of years ago and since then I've been tracking it... Deerslayer style ...

Patiently waiting ... for an opportunity to go on the verge of bankruptcy :lol:

Edited January 5, 2013 by JapanX

[dark379]

Wow nice story and collection Mr. Nick.

happy to read this.