JAPAN AKIHITO CORONATION MEDAL 1990

[heusy68]

Hello to all the honorable Gentlemen member of this Club.

I recently acquired what I truly believe, is the Medal for Akihito Coronation Medal. 

For reference Akihito succeed his father Hirohito after his passing on 7 January 1989, and was officially crowned on 12 November 1990. It was the first time in Japan history that the ceremony was held in Tokyo (before the ceremony was held in Kyoto).

However as I do not read japanese, I would be glad, members of this forum, who do speak and read japanese to correct me.

The medal is 30 millimeters in diameters, the thickness is 2,6 millimeters, and its weight : 22 grammes (including the ribbon).

The ribbon is 36 millimeters wide, red with 2 white stripes towards each edges (with stripes are 4 millimeters).

The medal came in a dark purple velvet case with inscription inside the lid.

I do believe, but I might be wrong, that this medal was a Commemorative, but not intended to be awarded to any members of the JDF (Japan Defense Force), i.e.it's the official name of the army in Japan.

I just do know, that on the obverse side is the Japan Imperial Symbol of the Sun, placed where the Throne Chair is located on Takamikura. The Takamikura is the structure used for the coronation. It's the last photo.

Best regards to all & I wait for your comment.

     Emmanuel

Edited February 19, 2019 by heusy68

[heusy68]

For those who want to see some photo of the Coronation of Emperor Akihito : 

http://royalwatcherblog.com/2018/11/12/coronation-of-emperor-akihito-1990/ 

Edited February 19, 2019 by heusy68

[JapanX]

This medal was issued by 

日枝神社 - Hie Shrine  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hie_Shrine

Reverse reads

 

大禮記念章 - Enthronement Commemorative Medal.'

日枝神社 - Hie Shrine 

平成二年十一月 -  November 1990

+ mark

純銀 - pure silver

 

Best,

Nick

 

 

 

[heusy68]

Thanks so much Nick, now we know what the inscription reads.

What remains a mystery is how much were awarded, were they awarded "propriu motto" without document, or was there specific criteria to get awarded this medal.

Any helps from Japanese Members or others, would be appreciated.

Best regards.

    Emmanuel

[heusy68]

Hello Gentlemen,

It seems that there was a pure gold version of the Akihito Coronation Medal, from a different design (source from a japanese web site ) : 

http://www.imperialjapanmedalsandbadges.com/emperormed2telPTIER.html 

If Nick could help to make a translation of the gold medal, that shall be in the collection of the owner of this web site in Japan. And the webmaster of www.imperialjapanmedalsandbadges.com shall be credited for the 2 photo below.

Best regards.

    Emmanuel

 

Edited April 1, 2019 by heusy68

[Wessel Gordon]

Unfortunately I can't help with translating the Japanese but those are two very good looking medals.

[Danny63]

To complete missing info about these medals :

On the obverse :  萬 歳 = Banzai ("10.000 Years")

Into the box are the same kanji you can see on the reverse of the medal

plus the Imperial date on last column to the right   : 

皇 紀 二 六 五 〇 年 = (Imperial year 2650 from Empire's foundation by Jimmu Tenno)

2650 - 660 = 1990.

This way to show date in 1990 was really strange....

NB : all writings are written from left to right in the western way.

*************************************************************

The gold one has the same writings on reverse :

大禮記念章 - Enthronement Commemorative Medal.'

??? (unreadable),  I think  金無垢 (Pure Gold ?)

平成二年十一月 -  November 1990

On the obverse (Partial unreadable)

皇 ? 萬 歳 = It seems to be "10.000 years of ? to Emperor" ( or something so...)

NB : Also this one has writings written in western way.

Best regads

Dan

Edited June 6, 2020 by Danny63

[Nanashi]

聖寿萬歳(Sei-ju-ban-zai)＝Hope the emperor's life expectancy will last forever.