Japan, Empire. An Order of the Golden Kite, IV Class

(金凧勲章 / (Kinshi kunsho). Instituted in 1890. In silver gilt and red, purple, yellow, blue, and white enamels, the badge depicting a golden kite above crossed ancient shields with two crossed spears and banners, on original striped green ribbon, 50 mm (h) x 46 mm (w), enamels intact, in extremely fine condition.  In its hard shelled case of issue, balsa wood frame, the exterior with a black lacquer finish, gilt characters on the lid, violet satin lined on the inside lid, violet medal bed, extremely fine. 

Footnote: The Order of the Golden Kite was an order of the Empire of Japan. It was established on February 12, 1890, by Emperor Meiji, “in commemoration of Jimmu Tennō, the Romulus of Japan.” It was an exclusively military award conferred for bravery, leadership, or command in battle. The order consisted of seven classes. Enlisted rank soldiers were eligible for the 7th to 5th classes, non-commissioned officers were eligible for the 6th to 4th classes, junior officers for the 5th to 3rd classes, field grade officers for the 4th to 2nd classes, and general officers for the 3rd to 1st classes. It was officially abolished by the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers of Occupied Japan in 1947, after the Second World War.