Japan, Occupied Manchukuo. A Red Cross Merit Decoration, C.1938

Instituted in 1938. Three-piece construction, in silver with red, white, green and yellow enamels, measuring 44 mm (w) x 49 mm (h) inclusive of its laterally-pierced suspension, chipping evident in the yellow enamels on the rays on either side of the arm at 9 o'clock, crazing present in the red enamels on the arm at 3 o'clock and on the Red Cross on the centrepiece, contact marks, original ribbon with hook and eye, very fine. In its hardshelled case of issue, the exterior with a black lacquer finish, balsa wood frame, gilt characters on the lid, the inside of the lid lined in violet satin and padded, lightly soiled recessed medal bed in yellow felt, wear evident along the edges of the lid on the exterior, case fine.

Footnote: The Red Cross Decorations and Medals are presumed to have been established on October 1, 1938, and as in Japan, they were official awards that could be worn on the uniform. They were designed after the Japanese Red Cross awards and were probably awarded in much the same way.