Gordon Williamson Posted May 12, 2005 Share Posted May 12, 2005 (edited) Introduced 4 January 1888. Comes in eight grades. This is the lowest, 8th Grade. I weill add the higher grades as I obtain them. Edited May 12, 2005 by Gordon Williamson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted May 12, 2005 Author Share Posted May 12, 2005 Awarded for both civil and military merit. The obverse design shows in the centre the legendary Yata Mirror, symbolising purity. Apparently so sacred, that even the emperor was not permitted to look into it. The circular discs represent the Yasakani jewels, which legend has it the Gods hung on the trees to entice the sun godess out of hiding and bring light to the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted May 12, 2005 Author Share Posted May 12, 2005 (edited) The reverse is plain with the inscription "Order of Merit Decoration"Despite looking brand new, this is an original 1930s piece, the period during which the tiny "M" mark of the Osaka Mint was applied on the lower arm Edited May 12, 2005 by Gordon Williamson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rick Research Posted May 12, 2005 Share Posted May 12, 2005 I've always wondered why an AUSTRIAN style trifold ribbon was chosen for this Order, making it rather odd looking in Japanese mounted groups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted May 12, 2005 Author Share Posted May 12, 2005 Rick,You are right. As the only Japanese award with an Austrian style triangular ribbon, it looks totally out of synch with all the others. They were influenced by many other countries. The medals here have ribbon suspensions which are very "British" in style. The ribbon rosettes they used are said to have been French influence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted May 18, 2005 Author Share Posted May 18, 2005 Here is the 7th Grade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted May 18, 2005 Author Share Posted May 18, 2005 Close up obverse. Gilded finish except for silver mirror in centre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted May 18, 2005 Author Share Posted May 18, 2005 Reverse. Design identical to 8th Class Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest John Harman Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 Here is an example of the 6th class: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted June 6, 2005 Author Share Posted June 6, 2005 Very nice John. Glad to see someone else likes these. I have a 6th Class on its way to me now. Pity that prices jump quite a bit when you get to the top grades ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted June 11, 2005 Author Share Posted June 11, 2005 My 6th Class. Interesting that the Kanji on the box lid are slightly different to John's. You can see that they are basically the same but executed in a slightly different style Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted June 11, 2005 Author Share Posted June 11, 2005 Close up Obverse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted June 11, 2005 Author Share Posted June 11, 2005 Reverse showing rivetted construction Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter J Posted June 11, 2005 Share Posted June 11, 2005 Here's my 3rd class with short ribbon. This is also marked with what at first appears to be a letter m. It's actually a Japanese sign.KRPeter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter J Posted June 11, 2005 Share Posted June 11, 2005 reverse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted June 11, 2005 Author Share Posted June 11, 2005 Thanks for sharing Peter. Very , very nice indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted July 20, 2005 Author Share Posted July 20, 2005 Fifth Class. Identical basic design to the Sixth, but larger at 46mm. Note the metal parts are gilded except for the outer rays to each arm which are silver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted July 20, 2005 Author Share Posted July 20, 2005 Close up of Obverse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted July 20, 2005 Author Share Posted July 20, 2005 Reverse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted July 20, 2005 Author Share Posted July 20, 2005 Fourth Class. Same size as the Fifth, but all gilded (apart from the central mirror of couse which is always silver) This grade also has the rosette on the ribbon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted July 20, 2005 Author Share Posted July 20, 2005 Close up of Obverse. The gilding is very pale and looks washed out by the glare of the scanner light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted July 20, 2005 Author Share Posted July 20, 2005 Reverse. Gilt finish more obvious here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted August 10, 2005 Author Share Posted August 10, 2005 Sacred Treasure 3rd Class Obverse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted August 10, 2005 Author Share Posted August 10, 2005 Reverse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter J Posted August 11, 2005 Share Posted August 11, 2005 Gordon, I see that you found a 3rd class . One small observation,when looking at the obverse on both your's and mine, they appear to bein silver, obviously due to the scanning. The reverse on mine shows the same pale gilding you refer to on the 4th class, whereas your reverse on your's seems to be silver. Both the reverse and obverse on mine are actually gilded and I take ityour's is as well. I'm making this remark in order to avoid any doubts amongst new collectors about the gilding on 3rd class KRPeter Reverse← Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now