Help with Japanese Medal

[MP41]

Anyone know what this Japanese medal is for? I searched online, but cannot find any medals that match it. All opinions welcome.

Thanks,
Matt

[MP41]

close up of front and back side of medal.

Matt

[GHP]

Not Military

Box:
東京 銀座
Tōkyō Ginza

吉澤食品店製造
Yoshizawa Food Store Manufacture [made by]

Medal
Obverse:
表章
hyōshou
表章 【hyōshou】(1) symbol; emblem; image; (2) expressing; representation; making clear (e.g. someone's virtues)
In Chinese it means:
(archaic) to praise; to commend

So I think this is a type of civilian commendation medal.

＝＝＝＝
Medal Reverse:
青運事
管内
立賣組合
Youth Transportation Business
Within the Jurisdiction of
Street Vendors Union


Hall mark:
純銀
Jun Gin
Pure Silver


I'm really guessing at "Youth Transportation Business/Work"
青 = blue (in the West we call it "green"). This often means youth.

運 = transportation, advance, carry, progress

事 = work, business, matter, thing. In this case I'm thinking it means work/business as in 仕事 shigoto


Be careful! It is not a good idea to try to understand Japanese by translating individual kanji!! I might have this very wrong.


--Guy

[MP41]

Thanks Guy for the translation. That's nothing what I thought it would be. Based on where I found it, I thought it would be some type of medical medal or something? It's definitely silver though, as you can see it's tarnished quite a lot.

Matt

[GHP]

It might have something to do with Hokkaido -- the flowers are called 鈴蘭 "Suzuran" in Japanese. Lillies of the Valley in English.


It's not the "official flower" -- but Hokkaido people identify with the suzuran.


--Guy

[MP41]

Thanks Guy.

Interesting. Isn't Hokkaido the northern most island of Japan?

I agree it definitely has the suzuran on it. Also, the bird in the center. Is it a dove? a crane? or a crow? I've really searched all the places I can online, and I still haven't found another badge like this. It's really puzzling.

Anyone else ever seen a badge like this? or have any opinions?

Matt

[GHP]

Thanks Guy.

Interesting. Isn't Hokkaido the northern most island of Japan?
I agree it definitely has the suzuran on it. Also, the bird in the center. Is it a dove? a crane? or a crow?

Yes, it's the northern-most island; still kind of a "territory" sort of the way Hawaii is to the USA -- it's a state ... but new and still exotic.

I've seen that (or similar) dove (golden kite?) before. The closest I can find now is this youth school flag. But I have seen a medal with a bird very similar to yours.

--Guy

[chen]

Side story: A Soviet pilot flew the top secret MIG 25 Foxbat to land at Hokkaido at around 70 era.

[MP41]

Great flag there Guy!

I sent photo of the badge and box to Rich Catalano.

This is what he had to say about the badge;

"Both the case lid and the obverse of the badge read 'Merit.'
The label inside the lid is from the maker: 'Tokyo Ginza. Made by Yoshikawa Tableware Store.'

The reverse of the badge reads something like 'Blue Athletic Meet. Sugauchi Tachiuri Union [or, perhaps, Association].'
The two phrases above appear to be personal names.

The small square at the bottom is a sterling silver hallmark.

Best,
Rich"



So it seems the badge is some type of award for an athletic event?

Matt

[MP41]

Rich also stated that the style and hallmark suggest 1920's vintage of this badge. The "merit" suggests a donor to the event or organization.


So, combing everything from Rich and Guy, I think I can guess at a conclusion.

It seems this badge was some type of commendation badge for a donor for a youth athletic event (some type of sporting event) sponsored by some Union in the 1920's.

Very interesting.

Thanks for all the help!
Matt