Japan, Empire. Two Award Documents Issued to a Member of the Army
1. China Incident War Medal Award Document (支那事変従軍記章, Sina jihen jūgun kishō). Instituted in 1939. 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 and framed within a floral wreath, the China Incident War Medal and framed within a trophy of arms that includes artillery and associated shells, a tank, two planes, along with other items, the text framed within a border composed of propellers and artillery shells, with anchors in the corners, measuring 417 mm in width x 297 mm in height, rolled, exhibiting creasing overall.
2. Imperial Japanese Army Award Document. Printed in black and green inks, with an official stamp in red ink at the lower left, illustrating the Imperial Japanese Army insignia in the centre along the top edge, the insignia consisting of a large star framed within a wreath, the text framed with a ruled border, with floral motifs and cherry blossoms in the corners, measuring 355 mm in width x 256 mm in height, exhibiting extensive creasing, along with horizontal and vertical fold marks overall.
Very fine and near fine, respectively.
Footnote: The China Incident War Medal was established by Imperial Edit No. 496 on July 27, 1939 and awarded for service in China at any time from the 12th through the 20th years of the Shōwa period (1937-1945). An amendment was promulgated by Imperial Edict No. 418 in 1944, and the decoration was abolished in 1946 by government ordinance No. 177. Although the Japanese government still uses "China Incident" in formal documents, media in Japan often paraphrase it with other expressions like Japan-China Incident (日華事変, Nikka jihen) or (日支事変, Nisshi jihen). This medal is one of the most commonly found Japanese awards, as millions were manufactured for those who served.