Japan, Empire. An Order Of The Golden Kite, I Class Star

(金鵄章). Instituted February 12 1890. In silver, an eight point star of alternating clusters of three yellow enamelled rays with silver borders and five red enamelled rays with silver gilt borders, superimposed on the obverse sits a blue enamelled golden kite with yellow enamelled crossed swords with silver hilts atop the arms and a red flag at 3 and 9 o’clock and a silver, green, purple and blue enamelled feature superimposed on the kite, surmounted by a silver eagle with outspread wings, the reverse presents a single pin assembly with dual stays, and four large rivets, measures 90.85mm (w) x 90.60mm (h), weighs 129.7 grams, enamel cracks and flakes in red enamel arms, blue enamel in kite has been replaced, a scarce decoration in near extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Order of the Golden Kite (金鵄章) is a military decoration of Japan. The order was established with 7 class and only award to Military men or non-combatant service men. The breast star of this order was awarded with 1st and 2nd class. The 1st class only award to High rank officers who directly under the command of the emperor. The 2nd class can be award to generals with outstanding merits or field officers with heroic merits.