Order of the Golden Kite (Kinshi Kunsho)

a Japanese Order (decoration), established on February 12, 1889 by Emperor Meiji of Japan. This was an exclusively military award, conferred for bravery, leadership or command in battle. It was officially abolished by the US-led government of the Occupied Japan in 1947.

The order consisted of seven classes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Golden_Kite

It represents a golden kite, messenger of the Gods, that helped the Emperor Jimmu Tenno in defeating his enemies in a battle. The order shows two crossed ancient Samurai shields, dark-blue enameled, with two crossed swords enameled yellow with hilts in silver.

1.067.492 awards were made, most of them in the two lower classes. Only 41 of the 1st grade and 201 of the 2nd have been awarded. Soldiers could be awarded with the 7th - 5th classes, NCOs the 6th - 4th, junior officers the 5th - 3rd, field grade officers the 4th-2nd and general officers the 3rd-1st.

http://www.xavierb.net/japan/goldenkite.htm

And more

http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-...medals-ww2.htm

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