Japan Some rejected designs for the 1904-5 Russo-Japanese War Medal

[fukuoka]

I have a few extra minutes tonight to show you more interesting designs that were never implemented. This time the medal in question is the 1904-5 Russo-Japanese War Dispatch Medal. The Decorations Bureau documents show that a few designs were discussed, the date of this document being February 3, 1906. Here were the nominees.

1st contestant. Elaborate mum design on obverse. Reverse similar to the 1894-5 War Medal.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2014/post-11730-0-38245900-1391333769.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2014/post-11730-0-52538300-1391333786.jpg

Edited February 2, 2014 by fukuoka

[fukuoka]

2nd contestant. Military figures included on obverse. Horizontal script on reverse.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2014/post-11730-0-75617300-1391334097.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2014/post-11730-0-69362700-1391334122.jpg

[fukuoka]

3rd contestant. Obverse appears to show mythical figures, perhaps deities.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2014/post-11730-0-93877400-1391334211.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2014/post-11730-0-90643600-1391334227.jpg

[fukuoka]

4th contestant was (spoiler alert) the eventual winner. No need for pics of that.

The basic design of the reverse of the 5th contestant was used for the winning medal design. The obverse was the same as the 2nd contestant, but check out the cool hawk/kite suspension!

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2014/post-11730-0-58701800-1391334311.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2014/post-11730-0-48522500-1391334332.jpg

Edited February 2, 2014 by fukuoka

[fukuoka]

I haven't found any similar design contests for the other medals, though I am sure there had to be discussions of some sort. I wonder if the euphoria of the win over Russia made them think that this medal was extremely important, not like the medals for the smaller Taiwan and Boxer conflicts, and of the larger 1st Sino-Japanese War, which was 'merely' a victory over a weak neighbor. (Hope I didn't offend anyone with that last sentence.)

Edited February 2, 2014 by fukuoka

[JapanX]

Very interesting Rich!

Thanks!

[Dieter3]

Indeed! I like the 2nd one. Not a big fan of those other designs. But that said, the one they chose to go with was the best!

[paul wood]

I also like the second but I am very much taken by the first.

Paul

[JapanX]

I don't think that Army would be very happy about this 2nd design

I bet Navy flag was more than enough for them!

[Gensui]

Gents,

A very interesting topic! I am sure that there is much more to discover, since a lot of Japanese documents can be found online at the archives’ webpage (as long as they are digitalized, of course!).

Allow me to share one drawing from another medal, although it doesn’t fit into this topic.

Here is a draft of the Boxer Medal (明治三十三年従軍記章) as well. I need to underline, that I don’t want to adorn myself with borrowed plumes. And these drawings were discovered by Nick K. and explained at the WAF (http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/showthread.php?t=554154&highlight=Boxer+medal&page=2).

BR, Chris

[JapanX]

Yea, I remember this one