Japan - Order of the Sacred Treasure, 4th Class with Rosette.
Condition: minor damage to enamel work which is also stained in places, Good Very Fine
Gilt-edged white enamel cross of four sets of five gilt rays, the outer rays longest, the inner ray shortest, on laterally-pierced ball suspension; the face with a circular central medallion of blue enamel within a gilt circle bearing a stylised hexadecagonal (16-sided) mirror surrounded by a superimposed geometric red paste necklace of sixteen jewels linked by a red line; the reverse with four character inscription ‘kun-ko ki-sho’ (Ribboned Medal for Meritorious Deeds); on original ribbon with hook and eye fittings; in original fitted embossed black lacquer case of issue, the gilt characters for ‘Merit Four Class Order of the Sacred Treasure’ on the lid. The Order was founded by Imperial edict on 4 January 1888 in eight classes to be awarded for distinguished service. In 2003, the Order was comprehensively revised and the seventh and eight classes abolished, the senior six classes continuing to be awarded, the class depending upon the rank of the recipient. The insignia incorporates representations of the sacred Yata Mirror and the Yasakani Jewels and the sword of the Emperor.
