Japan, Empire. An Order of the Golden Kite VII Class & Order of the Rising Sun VIII Class Award Documents
Includes:
1. Order of the Golden Kite, VII Class Award Document, to an 8th Army Infantry Sergeant (Kinshi kunsho): printed in black, red, green, silver 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 VII 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 585 mm in width x 453 mm in height, rolled.
2. Order of the Rising Sun, VIII Class Award Document 1939 (Kyokujitsu_sho / 旭日小綬章): printed in black and red 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 Rising Sun 8th Class award in the centre along the bottom edge, both of which are framed within a floral wreath, the framework for the text designed with repeating alternating images of the Imperial Seal and the Order of the Rising Sun award interlaced with flowers, measuring 590 mm in width x 450 mm in height, rolled, exhibiting scattered foxing, along with creasing evident on the right side.
3. Document Box: both documents housed in a balsa wood box with sliding lid, natural look exterior, the box measuring 475 mm in length x 43 mm in width x 43 mm in height, missing its end lip on the opening end.
Ranging from better than very fine to extremely fine.
Footnotes:
1. 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.
2. The Order of the Rising Sun is a Japanese order, established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji of Japan. The Order was the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese government, created on April 10, 1875 by decree of the Council of State. The badge features rays of sunlight from the rising sun. The design of the Rising Sun symbolizes energy as powerful as the rising sun in parallel with the "rising sun" concept of Japan ("Land of the Rising Sun"). The order is awarded to those who have made distinguished achievements in the following fields: international relations, promotion of Japanese culture, advancements in their field, development in welfare or preservation of the environment. Prior to the end of the Second World War, it was also awarded for exemplary military service. Beginning in 2003, the two lowest rankings (7th and 8th classes) for the Order of the Rising Sun were abolished, with the highest degree becoming a separate order known as the Order of the Paulownia Flowers, with the single rank of Grand Cordon. While it is the third highest order bestowed by the Japanese government, it is however generally the highest ordinarily conferred order. The highest Japanese order, the Order of the Chrysanthemum, is reserved for heads of state or royalty, while the second highest order, the Order of the Paulownia Flowers, is mostly reserved for politicians.