J005158 CASED ORDER OF THE RISING SUN, 2ND CLASS SET. The Order of the Rising Sun ("Kyokujitsusho"), established in 1875 as Japan’s first national decoration, could be awarded to either military or civilian personnel for meritorious service. There were eight classes to this order, of which only the lowest two were given to enlisted personnel. Foreigners, on occasion, could also be bestowed the award. The second class award was originally only a breast star, but in 1888 a neck insignia, identical to the third class award, was introduced. This set, the second of the eight classes, includes its breast star and the accompanying neck insignia, both in their original case. The two piece, gold plated silver, convex breast star is 3 1/2" in diameter, and is comprised of a base of eight arms of three, pebbled "rays," against which is fixed a 2 3/8" diameter "sun," being thirty-two enameled white "rays," eight long with three short separating each, all emanating from a 3/4" diameter, red garnet center. To its convex reverse, four rivets may be seen to each corner of the square of four, gold colored kanji characters stamped to its center, translating to "Order of Merit Decoration." Bent hooks are to either side of that, and over it vertically extends a hinged pin with a catch to the base. The neck order is in the form of a 2 3/16" diameter "sun," also in gold plated silver, upon which are enameled thirty-two white "rays," eight long with three short separating each, all emanating from a 5/8" diameter, red garnet center. The reverse is identical to the obverse. The uppermost ray is hinged to a three-lobed spray of jade green enameled Paulownia leaves, outlined and with the veins articulated in gold to the obverse, outlined and with four golden kanji characters to the reverse, again translating to "Order of Merit Decoration." The leaves are surmounted by three sets of purple enameled and gold outlined Paulownia flowers on green stalks, seven to the center and five to each side, obverse and reverse. Through a perforated ball atop the uppermost, central flower passes the elongated, gold-plated silver loop for the neck ribbon. Fed unto the 1" tall loop is a 1 7/16" wide and approximately 19 1/2" long, watered silk neck ribbon, in white with 1/4" wide crimson edges. One end of the ribbon is wrapped and sewn around a gold colored alloy sliding length adjustment buckle, the ribbon folding back upon itself and then passing through it, with an alloy push tab fed through the formed loop. The tab mates with a similarly colored alloy receiver which the other end of the ribbon is wrapped and sewn around. The only visible marking, stamped to the left side of the aforementioned hinge, is the "Iroha" syllabary character for "hi," no doubt here used as a maker’s mark. The ribbon is lightly age soiled, and its suspension loop appears to have lost most of its finish. All of the enamel work and most of the plating has been retained to both the medal and breast star. Both are nested into corresponding depressions to the purple velvet interior base of its original presentation case. The velvet, which is hinged along its center, exhibits light to moderate nap wear and age soiling. The interior of the wooden cover, and what can be seen of the interior wooden bottom of the case, has copper colored lacquer to it. A column of stylized, silver colored kanji characters is painted to the interior cover. The 4 3/4" x 9 1/2" x 1 3/8", black lacquered exterior of the cover has nine, gold colored Paulownia leaves and flowers to it. Semi-circular cuts are to each of the cover’s sides, to accommodate, on either side of the case itself, the 9/16" diameter, blackened alloy bases for the rings to which red cords with tassels are bound. Each of the woven cords are 16" long, and their balls and tassels, both with white cardboard "collars" to them, are 3 3/4" in overall length. Although the bottom of the case is unmarred, the forward edge of its cover had evidently become unglued, and has been repaired, although seam separation and binding tape may be seen. Included in the case is a 30 1/2" x 12 1/2" piece of very loosely woven material, with red, zig-zag stitching along its edges, and upon which is sewn a red ribbon tied in bows at either end, and, in pink threads, the initials "E.W." It is likely that this was added simply to keep the medals within in place. Overall, an impressive set, in very good condition.

To Order this item, please use one of the two e-mail addresses below to contact us. Please make sure to quote the item number in your e-mail

MILITARIA WANTED!  If you have items for sale, please contact us. We specialize in selling single pieces and entire collections. Over 3 decades in the business and we do all the work for you. Get the best return for your investment.

-E-Mail Address pawmac@nbnet.nb.ca  Or  guild@nb.aibn.com

To return to the main page please CLICK below