Japan - Cased Order of the Precious Crown VII Class

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Japan - 宝冠章 Hokanso. Instituted January 4, 1888, the Order of the Precious Crown was awarded in eight classes to ladies who have rendered distinguished services. It is constructed out of a die struck silver base that has been blued and has gold plate highlights. The obverse features a centrally placed “ho-o” (mythical bird) perched on a headdress, below the sun, all on a textured oval background surrounded by two rings of pearls edging bamboo branches and four three-piece cherry blossom patches (one to the top, bottom, left and right). The reverse is plain. To the top is a ball loop, ring and lined loop holding a bow-tie yellow and red ribbon with pin-back. The award measures 1 1/2 inches wide by 1 3/4 inches tall. The award comes with its seventh-class rosette (Ryakuju) and both are housed in its appropriate issue case. The case is constructed out of a balsa 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 4 inches wide by 5 1/8 inches deep by 1 1/8 inches thick.