1905 Tsushima medal/coin

[Frogwatcher]

I have a bronze commemorative medal/coin. It was struck for the Japanese naval victory over Russia in 1905, at Tsushima.
There is a fine silver example currently for sale on ebay and a bronze one sold at auction in Germany in 2008. Other than that I can find no information.
How many were made? What alloys were used? Who received them? How many are left? etc.
Any info or suggested sources would be great!

[imperialjapan]

Do you mean this? (about 7 rows down)
http://imperialjapanmedalsandbadges.com/mintmedals.html

[Frogwatcher]

Medal

No. That one was struck later to honour the Japanese Admiral who won the battle.
My one was to commemorate the battle itself and was produced in 1905/06.
How do I upload photos?
(my photos not an http link)

[Frogwatcher]

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/RUSSIA-nd-19...YAAOSw4Qdabzcq

OK This is not my example. Mine is in bronze not silver but is identical in design.

[GHP]

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/RUSSIA-nd-19...YAAOSw4Qdabzcq

OK This is not my example. Mine is in bronze not silver but is identical in design.

Image added.

Dated Meiji 37/38 (1904-5)

I'm not certain about the kanji in pink:

明治三十七八年之役凱＊記念
Meiji 37-8 Year Battle Commemoration



Along the circumference:
皇威振八紘
Imperial Authority Spreads/blows/swings in Eight [All] Directions

=========
hakkō meaning:
八紘 【はっこう hakkō】 (n) the eight directions; the whole land; the whole world




--Guy

[Frogwatcher]

Thank you very much!
So, in effect, as I might talk about the "four cardinal directions" or something being "scattered to the four winds", the Japanese think of it as eight directions?
Interesting.

[imperialjapan]

See here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakkō_ichiu

Also, the price on that auction medal is waaaaaay too high. I suppose if the most desperate of collectors wants it.... I have seen the bronze version sell for around $50-60 USD here in Japan. Since the medal has martial images, though, it is very appealing and you may get more than that price in the USA or elsewhere.

These medals were not awards; they were sold in stores since the war-fever was quite high after the victory. Entrepreneurs everywhere! This particular medal in bronze does not seem to be that rare, though I must say that I don't see it every day.

[Frogwatcher]

Yeah I thought the price seemed absurd.
Don't know what their reserve is.
The bronze one in Germany sold for 1150 Euro!
I just wanted to know the story...
I assumed they were available to anyone who wanted one like we have some commemorative coin for a royal wedding or whatever.

Oh and thanks for the Hakko ichiu link.