J008558 CASED RED CROSS ORDER OF MERIT. Awarded for distinguished service to the Japanese Red Cross Society, the Order of Merit ("Yuknosho"), established in June of 1888, takes the form of an enameled silver "cross urdy," 1 13/16" from point to point, with a 3/4" diameter, central medallion. Six white enamel rays are to each arm of the cross, obverse and reverse. To the obverse of the medallion, against its dark blue enamel background, is what appears to be a silver peacock (the "ho-o") above a red enamel Geneva cross, with silver bamboo branches arching up either side, and silver flowering Paulownias to the base of each branch. A copper colored wash may be seen to the peacock’s tail, and to the beaded ring along the circumference of the medallion. This same ring is to the reverse of the medallion, against whose dark blue enameled center is, in silver, a row of three kanji characters which apparently translate to "Merit Medal," with the characters for "Meiji era 21st Year" (1888) arching above them, and those for "Japanese Red Cross Society" arching beneath. A perforated ball is to the top of the upper arm of the cross, through which passes 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. An elongated, vertical alloy hook is to its top, which folds down and mates with an eye sewn near the base of its reverse. Both the ribbon and medal have only the lightest of age soiling to them, with all of the enamel having been retained, and the silver still being bright. They are nested into corresponding depressions to the purple silk interior base of its original presentation case, whose interior lid is also lined in padded, purple silk. The silk is in excellent, unmarred condition. The 2 5/16" x 4 3/16" x 15/16", black leatherette covered hard shell case, which separates along its sides, where it is edged in gold colored metal, has two columns of gold kanji characters stamped to its cover, that to the right repeating the lower inscription seen to the reverse of the medal, while the three lower characters to the left column repeat "Merit Medal." The case is also in excellent condition, exhibiting only the lightest of age soiling. As these medals are still awarded, with no significant change in their design, it is difficult to determine its age.

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