New Japanese Medals Book

[zachb]

I've just finished a cursory read of a new "ebook" / monograph concerning Japanese campaign and commemoratives. I for one highly recommend this book. I believe the gentleman who authored it might be a member here? The book has lots of nice detail (previously unknown to me), e.g., award criteria, expanded medal design information, etc. Would love to hear thoughts from others. Job well done as this was a sorely needed update. Zach

http://www.imperialjapanmedalsandbadges.com/store1.html

[Fukuoka]

Thanks for the praise, Zach--and the publicity! Yes, since those ordinances had never been translated into English, and James Peterson could not even find all the Manchukuo medal ordinances, I thought it would address a need for Japanese medal collectors. I'm glad you found it useful.

Cheers, Rich

[Tim B.]

Hi Rich and nice to see you here too.

Is this the same book (series) you were asking about at GMIC?

Tim

[Fukuoka]

Hello Tim,

Yes, I decided to break it up into sections. Almost finished with my 2nd one, which features a lot of Japanese & Manchukuo badges explained along with rosette info and the oft-requested Order of Wearing Medals described according to official government decree. (Sorry, I went and plugged my book on a forum... Administrator, please delete this entry if it is inappropriate.)

Cheers, Rich

[Jareth]

Here's another great website http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showforum=144 Excellent work Rich!

[Tim B.]

Hi Rich,

No worries from me, it's all about getting the information out there to the collectors. Frankly, I grow tiresome asking questions to some in the know and only getting back small bits and pieces if anything.

Good work!
Tim

[zachb]

Hi Rich,

No worries from me, it's all about getting the information out there to the collectors. Frankly, I grow tiresome asking questions to some in the know and only getting back small bits and pieces if anything.

Good work!
Tim

That is my sentiment as well. Further, Tim alludes to something sadly true...and participation around here is really down lately.

Rich,

I noted in the translations of the "ordinances" (speaking strictly about Commemoratives'), that only two seem to make explicit reference to foreign "eligibility": the Crown Prince's Voyage... ("from Korea") and the Korean Annexation... "Korean Government...".

Is it your sense from reading and translating these documents that "foreigners" were eligible for all of the Commemoratives? Have you found any peripheral "ordinances" explicitly stating what Commemorative medals could be awarded to foreign nationals? I ask because I am specifically curious about the China Incident Commemorative being for "Chinese Collaborators", and was hopping you could elaborate on who you believe those medals were intended for?

Also, who was responsible for determining who was eligible for a Commemorative medal? Was this the job of some functionaries in the "Decorations Bureau"? Thanks again for your contribution to this area of the hobby. Zach

[Fukuoka]

With the exception of the first couple of Commemorative Medals (which seem to be reserved for Japanese of the highest ranks), I think that foreigners would have been eligible to receive them--as long as they lived in Japan and participated in the related events. That being said, I don't think I've ever seen one of those award documents given to a foreigner. Paul Murphy might be able to shed some light on that.

The China Incident Commemorative is an interesting case, and I think Peterson got it right in his book. But he used the process of elimination, right? I mean, the China Incident War Medal was awarded to just about every soldier and related official, but none of them could receive the China Incident Commemorative. And the latter was given to those who contributed to the China Incident. So who was left?

If the China Incident Commemorative were seen in large numbers as its War Medal counterpart is, we'd have to re-evaluate our opinions. But it isn't--examples rarely appear on the market.

Your last point is an interesting one. I'm looking into that now. How one is recommended for a decoration (order) is well-documented, but not for the medals.

Rich

[zachb]

Thanks Rich...great information.

[b-m-n_animal]

I know that the Women who set up the union Jack club in the UK (it's a hotel for serving personnel near Waterloo station) was awarded the Red cross medal and the Russo-Japanese medal as well as some UK ones, there on display in the hotel foyer with a photo of her wearing them. So as a foreigner you could be awarded them. I’ll try and dig out her history if anyone’s interested?

Paul

[Fukuoka]

Paul, that's very interesting. And that is a War Medal, so it's pretty rare that a foreigner who is also a female would have received it. I have seen China Incident War Medal documents with a woman's name as the recipient, but these are exceedingly rare. I suppose that English woman did Red Cross work that aided the Japanese. Love to hear more about her.

Rich

[b-m-n_animal]

well after doing a bit of looking up the only information I could find on her was on the Union jack club's website, ( http://www.ujclub.co.uk/history.asp ). If I can I'll try to get down there again and take a photo of her medals, you can just see the medals ont the right of her chest she has the womens red cross and next to it is the Russo Japanese war medal.

I believe that she was responsable for helping to organise the English red cross women to go and help out in the Hospitals, although nothing is mentioned on the website.

Paul