Japan - Imperial Japanese Red Cross Society Silver Order of Merit Decoration, housed in its original lacquer presentation case. Silver and white enamel cross clechée, the silver-edged white enamel arms each with five silver rays, with laterally-pierced ball suspension; the face with a blue enamel circular central medallion within a silver ring bearing in silver the emblem of the Society of a phoenix (ho-o) above a Geneva (Greek) cross in red enamel with pauwlonia and bamboo wreath in silver; the reverse with a blue enamel circular central medallion within a gilt ring inscribed centrally with the name of the award and at the top the characters ‘Meiji 21st year’ (1888) and at the bottom ‘Japanese Red Cross Society’; on original ribbon with original fittings.
Condition: Good Very Fine, one corner of case now chipped.
The Japanese Red Cross Society grew from the Benevolence Society founded in 1877 to give aid to those wounded in the Satsuma Rebellion which spelled the end of Samurai power. The Society acceded to the Geneva Convention in 1886 and adopted its current name in 1887. The Order of Merit is conferred by the Standing Council of the Red Cross Society with the knowledge and sanction of the Emperor for distinguished service to the Society.
