J006058 TWO PLACE MEDAL BAR. Two medals, that to the left being the 1937-1945 China Incident war medal, and that to the right the Red Cross Membership medal, each of whose ribbons are wrapped around and suspended from a 3 1/16" wide, nickel-silver plated metal bar. The first medal was established in 1939 and awarded to Japanese soldiers departing for service in the undeclared war against China (hence, "incident"). The 1 3/16" diameter bronze medal features, to its obverse, the mythical giant crow "yata-no-karasu" flanked by two Rising Sun flags (for the Army and Navy), whose upwardly-stretched wings encompass a sixteen-petaled Imperial Chrysanthemum, with radiating lines as the backdrop. To its reverse are three stylized mountains above, and stylized water beneath, a cloud bank, against which is a row of four kanji characters, translating to "China Incident." The swiveling hanger connected to the top of the medal features abstract foliage as its pattern, and is itself connected to a swiveling, horizontal bar, through which the ribbon passes. To the face of the bronze bar is embossed a row of four kanji characters, translating to "War Medal." The 1 7/16" wide, watered silk ribbon has a narrow, vertical red stripe to its center, flanked by wider pink stripes, then even wider stripes in yellow, then narrow light blue, and, to its outside edges, narrow navy blue stripes. These represent, respectively, loyalty, the blood-stained soil of China, the Army, the Air Force, and the Navy. An elongated, vertical alloy hook is to its top, which folds down and mates with an alloy eye sewn near the base of its reverse. The obverse of the medal and bar is noticeably age darkened, and its ribbon is moderately soiled. This medal was awarded until the summer of 1945, and was abolished in 1946. The Red Cross Membership medal is 1 1/8" in diameter, of struck silver or silver alloy (as they were made of before the end of the second world war), and has, to its obverse, what appears to be a peacock (the "ho-o") above a Geneva cross, with bamboo branches arching up either side, and flowering Paulownias to the base of each branch. To its reverse are two rows of stylized kanji characters, the uppermost reading, from right to left, "Meiji era 21st Year" (1888 - the year of the establishment of these awards), with that underneath it reading "Japanese Red Cross Society." A clasp is to the top of the medal, through whose perforation is fed the suspension ring for its ribbon. The 1 7/16" wide, watered silk ribbon is red with two very pale blue stripes to either edge, presently faded to white. An elongated, vertical alloy hook is to its top, which folds down and mates with an eye sewn near the base of its reverse. Although the medal has only the light patina of old silver to it, its ribbon is significantly soiled. Pinned to the Red Cross medal ribbon is a 11/16" wide and 1 1/16" tall, thick, silver washed alloy "Retired Soldiers" badge, to whose obverse is a fouled anchor and crossed swords on a pebbled background, over which is affixed a brass five-pointed star. To its reverse is a hinged, vertical pin, with a locking catch assembly near the base. To either side of this is embossed a column of kanji characters, and, within a circle to the center, is the character "Hon," whose meanings include "true" and "real," and which is likely used here as a mint mark. Light age soiling and more moderate darkening is evident throughout. These were given, in many minor variations, to veterans of the wars in China, Korea, and Manchuria, as well as to those who fought against the allied nations. Pinned between the two ribbons is a "next-of-kin "medal in the form of a silver or silver washed alloy cherry blossom set against a 1" diameter, serrated-edged background, and suspended from a purple cord. To the reverse of the medal is embossed a column of kanji characters. A light patina of old silver may be seen to both of its faces. Its cord is formed into a bow whose upper loop is slightly longer than those to either side, to the center of which is a ring, connected to another ring which slides through the perforation to the top of the medal. Through a ring fed unto the uppermost loop of the bow is a triangular pin-back device connecting it to the ribbons. The two free ends of the cord, which descend approximately 2 1/8" from the medal’s suspension ring, terminate in tassels.

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