The 3 bombs Japanese statue and medal

[Leo2018]

Recently I got an email from a Korean War vet who was selling off his collection due to health issues.

This was a piece of that collection that I thought was an interesting piece.

i believe it’s called the 3 bombs, 3 Japanese soldiers with a Bangalore broke through the Chinese barbed wire lines and set the explosive off opening a gap for the Japanese army to pass through. A statue was resurrected for the brave 3 soldiers who blew themselves up in 1937.

the official bronze statue was taken down in 1945 after the fall of Japan.

These statues where apparently sold in the shrine In 1937 along with the medal.

I can’t find another ! And information on the statue is minimal

has anyone seen these before , also what does the medal say

statue is made of a strange biscuit like material and is old


TIA

[Leo2018]

The item comes with the letter from the previous owner also when it was purchased for the 2nd time in 2003

[GeorgeP]

That is an interesting take on those guys. Is there any kanji on the bottom of the base?

Tom

[Leo2018]

That is an interesting take on those guys. Is there any kanji on the bottom of the base?

Tom

Hi Tom

none I could see, just the kanji on the medal. I wonder if someone could read it for me.

[Leo2018]

I also cannot find another anywhere !

[Leo2018]

Also to correct the title it’s “3 human bullets”

also this is the shrine where they where gifted in 1937 as per the hand written letter

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cont...asukuni_Shrine

[GeorgeP]

There are some available at YahooAuctions, various models. Here is one:

https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/d409157779


Tom

[Jareth]

I've seen many of these statues over the years. Never saw one with wire. Perhaps added?

[Leo2018]

There are some available at YahooAuctions, various models. Here is one:

https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/d409157779


Tom

Thanks for the post

what sort of price do they go for ?
just pulled the page on that one, looks recently cast where as mine shows lots of age.

[Leo2018]

I've seen many of these statues over the years. Never saw one with wire. Perhaps added?

Jareth what do they normally go for, have you seen the medal before ? This one was purchased in 2003 18 years ago so not a modern one, also the wire is old so not sure

yours
Dean

[Jareth]

Sorry. No idea as to value. Never seen that medal before.

[GeorgeP]

Old auctions have examples going for between $20 and $70.


Tom

[imperialjapan]

The badge is a candy company giveaway. 'Scout. Candy for health and physical development.'
Scout is probably the name of the company or maybe the brand of candy.

[imperialjapan]

There were many commemorative items made using these soldiers. A very popular trend with cards, songs, toys, magazines, etc being made with their patriotic story. Hard to put a price on these statues, TBH. They are plentiful, but they exist in many variants. Tom is probably right about the price range.