This item is part of The Dr. Albert Goodwin Collection. Click Here to view all items in this collection.
(Kinshi kunsho). Instituted in 1890.
Includes:
1. Order of the Golden Kite, VI Class, Cased: in silver gilt, measuring 45 mm in width x 57.5 mm in height, experiencing overall gilt loss and contact marks, original ribbon with hook and eye, fine. Accompanied by its Ribbon Rosette, measuring 24 mm in width x 12 mm in height, with a button hole attachment, in their hardshelled case of issue, balsa wood frame, the exterior with a black lacquer finish, gilt characters on the lid, inside lid lined in violet satin, padded and exhibiting the impression of the award, base in violet satin, with a platform incorporating a recessed medal bed in violet felt, measuring 59.5 mm in width x 88 mm in height x 26.5 mm in depth, exterior with light scuffing, the violet felt of the medal bed exhibiting wear spots.
2. Order of the Golden Kite, VI Class Award Document, to a Army Lieutenant 1939, Boxed: printed in black, red, green and gold inks, on a thick off-white paper stock, illustrating the Imperial Seal of Japan in the centre along the top edge, the Order of the Golden Kite VI Class award in the centre along the bottom edge in colour, both of which are framed within a floral wreath, the framework for the text designed with repeating alternating images of the Imperial Seal and Paulownia flowers in a 5-7-5 configuration and are interlaced with flowers, measuring 597 mm in width x 452 mm in height, rolled, exhibiting creasing on the left and right edges, in its balsa wood box of issue with sliding lid, natural look exterior, characters in black ink on the lid, the box measuring 473 mm in length x 47 mm in width x 45 mm in height, missing its end lip on the opening end, along with a panel missing at the opposite end, all panels on the box are loosely held together and come apart easily.
Ranging from fine to extremely fine.
Footnote: The Order of the Golden Kite was an order of the Empire of Japan, established on February 12, 1890 by Emperor Meiji "in commemoration of Jimmu Tennō, the Romulus of Japan." It was an exclusively military award, conferred for bravery, leadership or command in battle. The order consisted of seven classes. Enlisted rank soldiers were eligible for the 7th to 5th classes, non-commissioned officers were eligible for the 6th to 4th classes, junior officers for the 5th to 3rd classes, field grade officers for the 4th to 2nd classes and general officers for the 3rd to 1st classes. It was officially abolished by the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers of Occupied Japan in 1947 after the Second World War.