Size: case 109.1 x 59.7 x 21.3 / medal 29.3 x 79.6 x 2.0 mm
Weight: 28.85 g
Provenance: Private Collector, Taiwan, 2022
This bronze medal is the “China Incident War Medal,” promulgated on July 27, AD 1939, during Japan’s Showa 14 era. It comes with a black storage case lined with deep blue velvet, and the outer case bears the silver-stamped inscription “China Incident War Medal.” This medal was awarded to all officers and soldiers who participated in the conflict in China following the Marco Polo Bridge Incident on July 7, AD 1937.
At that time, the Taiwanese under Japanese colonial rule was only eligible to join the regular army shortly before Japan’s defeat in AD 1944. Prior to that, a significant number of Taiwanese served in non-regular military roles such as interpreters, technicians, or laborers on the Chinese battlefield, and they also had the opportunity to receive this medal. By AD 1945, before the end of World War II, Japan had dispatched nearly 2.6 million troops to China over eight years, exceeding half of its total military strength. Therefore, the issuance of this medal was extremely extensive.
The medal is circular in shape with a beaded rim around the edge. On the obverse side, above the radiant sunbeams, there is the symbol of the chrysanthemum, representing the Emperor. In the center is the legendary Japanese bird, Yatagarasu, standing on turbulent waves with its wings spread. On either side of Yatagarasu are the intertwined flags of the Japanese Army and Navy. The reverse side depicts an Auspicious Cloud rising from the waves, with Mount Fuji in the background. In the middle of the Auspicious Cloud, the Kanji characters for “China Incident” are engraved.
The suspension above the medal is a swivel, connecting to the inscription clasp with the words “Military Service Medal.” The ribbon has a width of approximately 3.6 cm, and on both sides, it is symmetrically arranged with the colors “purplish blue, blue-gray, red-yellow, and red” in that order from the outer to inner side. This color scheme is the second most elaborate type among Japan’s military medals. Each color has its symbolism: purplish blue represents the navy, blue-gray represents the army aviation corps, red-yellow represents the army, and red symbolizes the blood-soaked land of China. The deep red in the center of the red symbolizes the loyalty and devotion of the military personnel.
This medal also has another variant believed to be awarded to non-military personnel. This variant shares the same appearance as the medal ribbon, but its design on both sides of the medal, as well as its suspension, are different. This variant is extremely rare in quantity.
物件編號: M109
年代: 公元 1939-1946 年
材料: 青銅
尺寸: 盒 109.1 x 59.7 x 21.3 / 獎章 29.3 x 79.6 x 2.0 mm