Japanese Cased Order of the Sacred Treasure, 6th Class

The Order of the Sacred Treasure was established in January of 1888. And was awarded to either military or civilian personnel for long and distinguished service. It came in eight classes, of which only the lowest two could be given to enlisted personnel. It is the lowest ranked of the three main Japanese Orders. The gold plated silver medal is in the form of a cross, with each arm comprised of five, white enameled rays. To the center of the cross is a raised, silver “mirror” against a dark blue enameled background, encircled by a raised, golden ring and beading along its inside. Immediately beyond the ring are eight red paste jewels, with eight slightly smaller red jewels between each of them, all connected by red lines, forming a stylized necklace. These are the “sacred treasures” from which the award takes its name: the “Yata” mirror, representing purity and wisdom, and the “Yasakani” jewels, which represent benevolence, obedience and affection. To the reverse, a small rivet may be seen to each arm, and stamped to the center are the four kanji characters for “Order of Merit Decoration.” A perforated ball is to the top of the uppermost arm of the cross, through which passes the ribbon’s suspension ring. Watered silk ribbon, in light grey (establishing it as an older award as later examples are in light blue), with a 3/16″ wide orange stripe 1/8″ in from either edge. The ribbon is folded in a triangular fashion. A smaller rosette is also included, which follows the same form as that to the ribbon. The medal and ribbon are nested into corresponding depressions to the purple silk covered interior base of its original presentation case, whose interior lid is also lined in padded, purple silk. Black lacquered wooden case has a column of gold painted kanji characters to its cover. A hinged alloy closure device and corresponding stud is to its forward edge, and a wide alloy hinge is along its rear edge. Both medal and box is in very good condition.

Super nice set!!