(Nippon Sekijujisha). Instituted in 1888. In silver with red, white and blue enamels, measuring 46.5 mm (w) x 51 mm (h) inclusive of its laterally-pierced ball suspension, intact enamels, very light contact, on its original bow-tied ribbon with pinback, near extremely fine. In its hardshelled case of issue, gilt characters on the lid, inside lined in violet satin, raised platform with a recessed medal bed, light scuffing on the exterior, case also near extremely fine.
Footnote: The forerunner of the Japanese Red Cross Society, the Hakuaisha (Philanthropic Society) was founded in 1877 by Court Tsunetami Sano, to help those who were wounded in the Satsuma Rebellion earlier that year. Japan signed the Geneva Convention in 1886 and in the following year, the Hakuaisha changed its name to the Japanese Red Cross Society (Nippon Sekijujisha). It was recognized as such by the International Committee on the Red Crosson September 2, 1887. The medal was established in 1888 and comes in five classes: Member, Special Member, Life Member, Golden Special Member and Honorary Member.