Japanese Order of the Golden Kite 5th Class 功五級金鵄勲章 WWII BOX

Description

The
Order of the Golden Kite (
金鵄勲章
,
Kinshi kunshō
)
is a Japanese order,
established on 12
th
Febraury 1890 by Meiji Emperor
, and was abolished in 1947. It was the highest military order, awarded for bravery in the field
. Unlike most Japanese orders that used to be awarded in 8 classes, this one only came in seven classes (from 7th to 1st, in ascending order of importance).
Date: late 1930s or early 1940s. Later in the war they were awarded without box, in printed-paper wrapper.
Lacquered case with latch attest to early date, as does patina on the medal.
Box: Lacquered with inside lined with purple silk, felt covered hinged and movable insert, metal latch. Inscribed in gold lacquer letters: Merit 5
th
Class Golden Kite Order (Katsugokyū kinshi kunshō
功
五
級金鵄勲章
)
Condition: medal and gold plating on kite oxidized, scratches, abrasions. Two screws from the back missing, cracks in enamel, minor loss of enamel. Needs cleaning.
Ribbon soiled, stained and discolored.
Minor abrasions and scratches on the box. Few chips with loss – mostly on sides, edges and corners . Abrasions inside the box.
Rubbing to gold letters, with loss.
Reference: James W. Peterson: Orders and Medals of Japan and Associated States (Third Edition), Duluth: The Orders and Medals Society of America, 2000, p. 14-21.
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