| Imperial Japan Medals and Badges |
| Imperial Capital Rehabilitation Medal |
Established in 1930 to commemorate the reconstruction of Tokyo after the 1923 earthquake.
The medal is made of oxidized silver.
OBVERSE: The Imperial mum crest is above and blossoms are below. The center shows the
Marunouchi business area in Tokyo.
REVERSE: Inscribed 'Imperial Capital Rehabilitation Commemorative Medal, Showa 5 [1930] March.'
There is also a women's medal with bow ribbon. See pictures below.
The medal is made of oxidized silver.
OBVERSE: The Imperial mum crest is above and blossoms are below. The center shows the
Marunouchi business area in Tokyo.
REVERSE: Inscribed 'Imperial Capital Rehabilitation Commemorative Medal, Showa 5 [1930] March.'
There is also a women's medal with bow ribbon. See pictures below.
Men's medal
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Case interior.
Ribbon close-ups
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Another example.
'M' mintmark, probably indicating the Osaka Mint.
'M' mintmark, probably indicating the Osaka Mint.
Another 'M' mintmark
Capital Rehabilitation commemorative paperweight. Thick and heavy. Commemorating the rebuilding of
Tokyo after the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.
The obverse has 'Rehabilitation' inscribed above the famous Kiyosu Bridge (which spans the Sumida River).
Around the bridge design are famous places in Tokyo: Yasukuni Shrine and Ueno Park.
The reverse has a clock that shows the time of the earthquake. The clock is within the emblem of Tokyo.
Below is written 'Tokyo City' and above is a puzzling phrase that seems to be written in a Tokyo dialect. It
may say 'Wind your loosened hearts.' I guess that means 'Don't let the disaster get you down. Time to go on
with life.' Or perhaps something less insensitive than that...
Tokyo after the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.
The obverse has 'Rehabilitation' inscribed above the famous Kiyosu Bridge (which spans the Sumida River).
Around the bridge design are famous places in Tokyo: Yasukuni Shrine and Ueno Park.
The reverse has a clock that shows the time of the earthquake. The clock is within the emblem of Tokyo.
Below is written 'Tokyo City' and above is a puzzling phrase that seems to be written in a Tokyo dialect. It
may say 'Wind your loosened hearts.' I guess that means 'Don't let the disaster get you down. Time to go on
with life.' Or perhaps something less insensitive than that...
Purple pasteboard case and original paper wrap. The wrap has the
name of the medal in large characters, and the smaller characters
read 'Showa 6 [1931] February, Made at the Japan Mint.'
name of the medal in large characters, and the smaller characters
read 'Showa 6 [1931] February, Made at the Japan Mint.'
Two examples of the women's version. Photos courtesy of a kind collector! Many thanks!
Here is an advertisement for the above medal. The
listed price is 50 sen. Note that some of the details on
the reverse are different from the medal I have pictured.
listed price is 50 sen. Note that some of the details on
the reverse are different from the medal I have pictured.
A similar commemorative item.
'Great Kanto Earthquake Refugee Census Committee,
Taisho 12 [1923] November, Osaka City, South Ward.'
Taisho 12 [1923] November, Osaka City, South Ward.'
Original award document.
Thanks for the photo, Pieter!
Thanks for the photo, Pieter!
Rare Great Kanto Earthquake Rescue Efforts Japan Red Cross badge.
Dated Taisho 12 [1923] September.
Dated Taisho 12 [1923] September.