Japan - Cased Order of the Rising Sun 6th Class

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Japan - 旭日章 Kyokujitsu-shō. Instituted April 10, 1875, by Emperor Meiji, the Order of the Rising Sun was established as Japan 's first medal and was awarded for long and/or especially meritorious civil or military service. It is constructed out of a die-struck silver-alloy mirror like base with multi-colored enamel work. The obverse features a centrally placed red circle (the rising sun) with white rays emanating out of it, below a hinge and the 5-3 Paulownia, consisting of three leaves (green) and an inflorescence of 3-5-3 (green-red) flowers. The reverse is the same as the obverse with the exception of a row of four golden kanji characters to the Paulownia. To the top is a ball loop and ring that holds the white and red ribbon, that has a top hook to the back. The award measures 1 7/8 inches wide by 2 13/16 inches tall. The award comes with its sixth-class rosette (Ryakuju) and both are housed in its appropriate issue case. The case is constructed out of a wood base that has been covered in a black lacquered paint. The top features gold painted kanji characters. The front features an ornate closure clasp and the reverse has a piano hinge. The interior is lined in purple satin. The case measures 2 9/16 inches wide by 5 1/16 inches deep by 1 1/8 inches thick. A nice one!