China, Manchukuo, Japanese Occupation. An Order Of The Pillars Of State, Vi Class, C.1940

(Chu Kuo Chang). Instituted in 1936. In silver with red, blue, white, black and yellow enamels, Japanese mint issued, with three bars indicating VI class, measuring 40.5 mm (w) x 51.5 mm (h) inclusive of its suspension bar, intact enamels, original ribbon with hook and eye, light contact, near extremely fine.

Footnote: This award was one of the main orders of the Manchukuo Empire. It is said that this order corresponded with the Japanese Order of the Sacred Treasure, in eight classes, so it should have been freely awarded for merit. However, since the puppet empire lasted only thirteen years (1932-1945) and since this order was established on September 14, 1936 and suppressed in 1945, it is hard to find. The award is unique in that the classes are indicated by the bar or bars on the ribbon, absent on this example.