Japan, Empire. Three Award Documents
Order of the Sacred Treasure V and VII Class Award Documents and Army Great Rites Medal Award Document
Includes:
1. Order of the Sacred Treasure, V Class Award Document, Boxed (瑞宝章, Zuihōshō): printed in black, red, yellow, light blue, silver and gold inks, large insignia imprinted in the centre in red ink, on a thick off-white paper stock, with lacquer added to the red cabochons, illustrating the Imperial Seal of Japan in the centre along the top edge, the Order of the Sacred Treasure 5th 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 450 mm in height, rolled, exhibiting light creasing, 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 45 mm in width x 45 mm in height, missing its end lip on the opening end.
2. Order of the Sacred Treasure, VII Class Award Document 1916, Tubed (瑞宝章, Zuihōshō): printed in black and red inks, large insignia imprinted in the centre in red ink, on a thick off-white paper stock, dated 1916, illustrating the Imperial Seal of Japan in the centre along the top edge, the Order of the Sacred Treasure 7th 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 Paulownia flowers in a 5-7-5 configuration and are interlaced with flowers, measuring 590 mm in width x 453 mm in height, rolled, exhibiting spotting and overall creasing, in a tube with a simulated balsa wood look exterior, with a white cardboard core, the lid inscribed with the number "2948505581", traces of a Japanese label remaining on the exterior, measuring 450 mm in length x 48 mm in diameter.
3. Army Great Rites Medal Award Document: printed in black, red, silver and gold inks, on a thick off-white paper stock, illustrating the Imperial Seal of Japan in the centre along the top edge in gold, framed within a floral wreath, the framework for the text designed with leaves and branches on the side panels, with bow-tied ribbons in all four corners, measuring 417 mm in width x 325 mm in height, rolled, exhibiting light creasing.
Ranging from fine to better than very fine.
Footnote: The Order of the Sacred Treasure is a Japanese order, established on January 4, 1888 by Emperor Meiji as the Order of Meiji. Originally awarded in eight classes (from 8th to 1st, in ascending order of importance), since 2003 it has been awarded in six classes, the lowest two medals being abolished that year. The most widely conferred Japanese order, it is awarded to those who have made distinguished achievements in research fields, business industries, healthcare, social work, state/local government fields or the improvement of life for handicapped/impaired persons. Originally a male-only decoration, the order has been made available to women since 1919. It is awarded for both civil and military merit, though of a lesser degree than that required for the conferment of the Order of the Rising Sun. Unlike most of its European counterparts, the order may be conferred posthumously.