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Category: Pre-WW1 Medals

The Order of the Purple Falcon

The Order of the Purple Falcon (Chaungjang) was instituted on 16th April 1901 by Emperor Kwangmu, the last King of Joseon and the first Emperor of Korea. The Order was given as a reward for distinguished military services.

The Order was only awarded in the following classes:

  • Grand Cordon
  • Second Class
  • Third Class
  • Fourth Class
  • Fifth Class
  • Sixth Class
  • Seventh Class
  • Eighth Class

The last two are equivalent to a gold and silver medal of a European Order.

The Order of the Purple Falcon Design

The Order is a large cross struck in bronze and has colored enamels on the obverse.

The Grand Order of the Plum Blossoms

The Grand Order of the Plum Blossoms (Lihwa Taehunjang) was instituted on 17th April 1900 by Emperor Kwangmu, the last King of Joseon and the first Emperor of Korea. It was conferred upon holders of the Grand Cordon of the Taeguk Order of Merit. This decoration was actually the superior class of the that one.

The Order was only awarded in one class only (Grand Cordon).

The Grand Order of the Plum Blossoms Design

The Order is a large grand cross sash badge struck in silver gilt. It is a white four-armed star, each arm composed of a cluster of three rays with three plum blossoms in each quadrant.

The obverse presents, in the center, the taeguk in blue and red enamels with red enameled sun burst surround. The reverse is mirrored.

The suspension is a large Hibiscus flower with five green enameled leaves.

The Grand Order of the Auspicious Stars

The Grand Order of the Auspicious Stars (Sosong Taehunjang) was instituted on 17th April 1900 by Emperor Kwangmu, the first Emperor of Korea.

The Grand Order of the Auspicious Stars (Sosong Taehunjang) was instituted on 17th April 1900 by Emperor Kwangmu, the last King of Joseon and the first Emperor of Korea. It was conferred upon civil and military personnel who had previously been awarded the Grand Order of the Plum Blossoms, in recognition of outstandingly meritorious service.

The Order actually functioned as the second class of the Grand Order of the Golden Ruler. It was only awarded in one class only (Grand Cordon).

The Grand Order of the Auspicious Stars Design

The Order features characters in the reverse that translate to “Auspicious Stars Great Decoration”.

The Grand Order of the Gold Cheok or Golden Ruler

The Grand Order of the Gold Cheok (or Golden Ruler) was instituted in 1900 by Emperor Kwangmu, the first Emperor of Korea.

The Order of the Gold Cheok (Kumch’ok Taehunjang, also known as the Order of the Golden Ruler) was instituted on 17th April 1900 by Emperor Kwangmu, the last King of Joseon and the first Emperor of Korea.

The Order was conferred on heads of state, royalty only and very rarely on certain selected individuals that already held the Grand Order of the Auspicious Stars. The Order of the Gold Cheok was awarded in only one class: Grand Collar with Grand Cordon.

The Grand Order of the Gold Cheok or Golden Ruler Design

The Order consists of a large silver sash badge with four arms, each of them composed of groups three large white rays, plus a clusters of five rays in each quadrant. There are also three Hibiscus blossoms in white enamels in each quadrant, which form a surrounding laurel. The medal measures 66.7 mm (wide) x 108 mm (high, including suspension)

The obverse presents, in the center, the taeguk in blue and red enamels. There are silver rulers extending from center along each arm. The reverse is mirrored.

The suspension is a horizontally pierced ball with a large Hibiscus flower and five green enameled leaves.

The Showa Enthronement Commemorative Medal

The Showa Enthronement Commemorative Medal was created to celebrate the ascension of Emperor Hirohito (the Showa Emperor) to the throne.

The Showa Enthronement Commemorative Medal was created to celebrate the ascension of Emperor Hirohito (the Showa Emperor) to the throne, who did so upon the death of his father in 1926. The enthronement ceremonies were held in 1928.

The medal was freely issued to people throughout the country who participated in the celebration ceremonies.

The Showa Enthronement Commemorative Medal Design

Some Showa Enthronement medals were struck in sharper relief, with the small gold mum crest as an attached piece. The ribbon was apparently designed from the drapes of the enthronement pavilion.

The obverse shows the imperial throne with the words ‘Banzai‘ written below. Cherry and orange blossoms surround the
ring. The reverse has cloud shapes and an inscription reading ‘Showa 3 [1928] November, Enthronement Commemorative
Medal.‘

The medal was awarded in a purple, red, black or brown (among other colors) cardboard case with gold lettering on the front.

The 1920 Japan Census Medal

The 1920 Japan Census Medal was given to official census takers or those employed by the census bureau. It was instituted by Imperial Edict.

  • Time Period: Pre-WW1
  • Institution: 17 June 1921
  • Country: Medals from Japan Japan

The 1920 Japan Census Medal was given to official census takers or those employed by the census bureau. The medal was instituted by Imperial Edict on 17 June 1921 to acknowledge those who participated and assisted in the first national Japanese census that began on 1 October 1920.

There is only one official census medal for Japan, although a few censuses were taken from 1920 until the end of the war. Each was taken every five years except for 1945 (because of the war). The official records show that the Japanese national census took place in these years: 1920, 1925, 1930, 1935, 1940, 1947, 1950, and so on every five years.

The 1920 Japan Census Medal Design

The medal is circular, struck in bronze and has a leaf-shaped claw. The suspension is a laterally-pierced cylinder.

The obverse shows the figure of an official of the Taika (Great Reform) era (AD 646) with a brush in his right hand, a rolled scroll in his left, standing before a table, all within a scalloped border representing the outline of a chrysanthemum crest. The reverse has the inscription ‘Taishō 9th Year / National Census / Commemorative Medal / 10th Month, 1st Day’.

The medal was awarded in a paulownia wood case with a white velvet fitted insert.

The Taisho Enthronement Commemorative Medal

The Taisho Enthronement Commemorative Medal was created to celebrate the ascension of the Taisho Emperor to the throne in 1912.

The Taisho Enthronement Commemorative Medal was created to celebrate the ascension of the Taisho Emperor to the throne, who did so upon the death of his father in 1912. The enthronement ceremonies, however, were held in 1915.

The medal was freely issued to people throughout the country who participated in the celebration ceremonies. It was issued in a men’s and a women’s version.

The Taisho Enthronement Commemorative Medal Design

The obverse of the medal shows imperial banners with ‘Banzai’ written within each. Branches of cherry and orange
blossoms. The reverse has the inscription ‘Taisho 4 [1915] November, Enthronement Commemorative Medal.’

It is said that the ribbon was designed from the drapes of the outdoor pavilion used in the ceremonies.

The medal was awarded in a wooden or cardboard box with gold lettering.

The Korean Annexation Commemorative Medal

The Korea Annexation Commemorative Medal was first established in 1912 to commemorate the forced occupation of Korea by Japan.

The Korea Annexation Commemorative Medal was first established in 1912 to commemorate the forced
occupation of Korea by Japan. The Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty was signed in 1910.

The Korean Annexation Commemorative Medal Design

The commemorative medallion was made by the Japan Mint in both silver and bronze.

The obverse of the medal shows crossed branches of paulownia (Japan) and plum (Korea). The Imperial mum crest is
above. The reverse has the inscription ‘Korea Annexation Commemorative Medal, Meiji 43 [1910] August 29.’

The medal was awarded in a wooden box with gold lettering.

The Crown Prince’s Visit to Korea Commemorative Medal

The Crown Prince’s Voyage to Korea Medal was established in 1909 to commemorate Prince Yoshihito’s trip to the Korean Empire in 1907.

The Crown Prince’s Visit to Korea Commemorative Medal was established in 1909 to commemorate Prince Yoshihito’s trip to the Korean Empire in 1907. Emperor Taishō (大正天皇, Taishō-tennō, 31 August 1879 – 25 December 1926) was the 123rd Emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession, and the second ruler of the Empire of Japan from 30 July 1912 until his death in 1926.

The medal was awarded in gold to Imperial families and in silver to royalty.

The Crown Prince's Visit to Korea Medal Design

The obverse of the medal shows branches of sandalwood with the Imperial mum crest above. The reverse has the inscription ‘Imperial Japan Crown Prince, Voyage to Korea Commemorative Medal, Meiji 40 [1907] October.’

Notes

This entry was updated on 21 March 2023. The name “The Crown Prince’s Voyage to Korea Commemorative Medal” was replaced by “The Crown Prince’s Visit to Korea Commemorative Medal”. The word “voyage” is not in the inscription on the medal but uses a word 渡 which translates as “crossing”, “trip” or “visit”. This mistake was originally published in “Orders and Medals of Japan and Associated States” by James W. Peterson (OMSA Monograph #1). It was corrected in later editions of the Peterson book. Thank you Don Pfeifer for this information.

The Meiji Emperor 25th Wedding Anniversary Medal

The Meiji Emperor 25th Wedding Anniversary Medal was created to commemorate the wedding anniversary of the Meiji Emperor.

The Meiji Emperor 25th Wedding Anniversary Medal was created to commemorate the wedding anniversary of the Meiji Emperor.

The Meiji Emperor or Meiji the Great (明治大帝, Meiji-taitei) was the 122nd emperor of Japan according to the traditional order of succession.  He reigned from 3 February 1867 until his death on 30 July 1912. He was the first monarch of the Empire of Japan and presided over the Meiji era, instigating the Meiji Restoration – a series of rapid changes that witnessed Japan’s transformation from an isolationist, feudal state to industrialized world power.

The gold medal was awarded to Imperial princes and the princesses, and the silver to people of noble rank who attended the ceremonies.