Japan, Empire. A Lot of Three Orders & Decorations

1. Order of the Rising Sun, VII Class (Kyokujitsu_sho). Instituted in 1875. In silver with white, green and violet enamels, a 3-5-3 configuration in the Paulonia flowers, measuring 31 mm (w) x 33.7 mm (h) inclusive of its laterally-pierced ball suspension, intact enamels, original ribbon with hook and eye. Accompanied by its 11.5 mm in diameter rosette, in their hardshelled case of issue, balsa wood frame, black lacquer finish, inside lid lined in violet satin, missing clasp, medal bed lined in violet felt.

2. Order of the Rising Sun, VIII Class (Kyokujitsu_sho). Instituted in 1875. In silver, a 3-5-3 configuration in the Paulonia flowers, measuring 31 mm (w) x 33.5 mm (h) inclusive of its laterally-pierced ball suspension, original ribbon with hook and eye. In its hardshelled case of issue, balsa wood frame, black lacquer finish, gilt characters on the lid, inside lid lined in violet satin, medal bed lined in violet felt, wear evident along the raised edge of the base that exposes the wooden frame. 

3. A Red Cross Order Of Merit, II Class; Instituted June 21, 1888. In silver, a white enamelled pison cross, the obverse medallion in blue enamel depicting a bird with partial wreath around the outside and at 6 o’clock sits a red enamelled cross, the reverse presents a Japanese inscription translating to “Meiji 21st Year, Merit Decoration, Japan Red Cross Society”, measures 46.2mm (w) x 50.6mm (h – inclusive of integral ball), weighs 34.4 grams (including ribbon), enamels intact, dark patina, in extremely fine condition. In case of issue, very fine.