| Imperial Japan Medals and Badges |
4th Class, post-1937
| Imperial Japan Medals and Badges |
| The Order of the Golden Kite |
This medal is certainly one of the most sought-after orders. The higher classes are difficult to find, and
when they appear on the market, the prices are obviously high. In the last ten years, I have seen only
one 1st Class breast badge (not the entire set), one 2nd grade medal, and two 3rd Class medals
offered for public sale here in Japan. Of course, I cannot chart the private sales.
One reason this medal is so popular is its dynamic design. It is colorful, multi-piece, and made of
sturdy metal. It is certainly a stunning piece. Another reason may be because it is an order only given
for distinguished military service and only given to Japanese.
Here I only have a couple of pictures. I hope to add more and would appreciate any help.
There are a variety of differences between Golden Kites of the three eras (Meiji, Taisho, and Showa).
Paul Murphy has written a useful explanation of these HERE.
And also HERE is an interesting discussion.
I have a separate page for the 6th and 7th Classes.
when they appear on the market, the prices are obviously high. In the last ten years, I have seen only
one 1st Class breast badge (not the entire set), one 2nd grade medal, and two 3rd Class medals
offered for public sale here in Japan. Of course, I cannot chart the private sales.
One reason this medal is so popular is its dynamic design. It is colorful, multi-piece, and made of
sturdy metal. It is certainly a stunning piece. Another reason may be because it is an order only given
for distinguished military service and only given to Japanese.
Here I only have a couple of pictures. I hope to add more and would appreciate any help.
There are a variety of differences between Golden Kites of the three eras (Meiji, Taisho, and Showa).
Paul Murphy has written a useful explanation of these HERE.
And also HERE is an interesting discussion.
I have a separate page for the 6th and 7th Classes.
5th Class
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3rd Class
2nd Class
The 4th Class Golden Kite is the same size as the 5th Class, but the reverse and metal
sections of the obverse are gold-plated on the 4th. (The 5th has a silver plate.) Even so, the gold
color often faded and it was difficult to discern the difference between the two. In 1937 a rosette
was added to the ribbon to solve this problem.
sections of the obverse are gold-plated on the 4th. (The 5th has a silver plate.) Even so, the gold
color often faded and it was difficult to discern the difference between the two. In 1937 a rosette
was added to the ribbon to solve this problem.
Meiji-era 4th Class
