Cased Red Cross Order of Merit

Axis Powers > Japanese > Awards & Medals >

Minty Award for distinguished service to the Japanese Red Cross Society. The cross is enameled silver, 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 bird above a red enamel 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 silk ribbon is red with two gray 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. Included is the original rosette in a wee red cross on a pin. The exterior of the black lacquered wooden case has a column of gold painted kanji characters to its cover. A hinged alloy closure device corresponding stud is to its forward edge, and a wide alloy hinge is along its rear edge.