Japan - Order of the Golden Kite 5th Class

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Kinshi Kunshō (金鵄勲章). According to the previous owner this was awarded to a Lt. Lizuka Chitoku on March 6, 1941. Introduced on February 12, 1890, the Order of the Golden Kite was exclusively a military award, conferred for bravery, leadership or command in battle. It was awarded in the following conflicts: First Sino-Japanese War, Russo-Japanese War, World War I, Manchurian Incident, Second Sino-Japanese War and the Pacific War. After 1916, the award came with a substantial monetary stipend. It is constructed out of a two piece silvered base with multi-colored enamel work that has been finished in a lacquer coating. The obverse depicts a golden kite (bird - messenger of the kami) perched on a chokutō with white, blue purple draped trappings in front of two crossed yellow spears with red banners bearing a mitsudomoe and two crossed blue ancient shields all of which is above an eight-pointed red star that has 32 rays. The full back reverse shows four rounded rivets holding the two piece together. To the top is a ball loop and ring which holds 4 inches of blue-green and dual white striped ribbon. The ribbon has the appropriate clasp and hook to the reverse. The award measures 1 13/16 inches wide and tall. Beautiful enamel work.