WW1 Official Japanese Issue Inter-Allied Victory Medal 1914-1920, scarce

Created 24th January 1919 by representatives of the allied nations for award to the combatants of the Great War, each county producing its own version. The Japanese version was in bronze and 36mm in diameter with a laterally-pierced barrel-shaped suspension.

The obverse with the full-length figure of Take-Mikazuchi-No-Kami, a spear held across his body; the reverse with a terrestrial globe centrally within a beaded border imposed on a five-petalled cherry blossom, the petals each with a standard bearing the Japanese characters for Japan, France, Great Britain, Italy and the United States of America, the characters for ‘and the other allied nations’ below, circumscribed in Japanese characters ‘The Great War for Protection of Civilisation, Taisho 3rd year, Taisho 9th year’ (1914-1920).

The Japanese substituted the Victory figure for the legendary warrior Take-Mikazuchi-No-Kami as the former would have had little significance for the Japanese. The medal bears the date ‘1920’ since Japanese action in Siberia, following the Russian Revolution, continued after the end of the war in Europe in 1918.

On original ribbon with hook and eye fitments, the ribbon with the typical pale bands found on the Japanese version, this medal has always been scarce and is in NEF condition. The chocolate colour is correct for this medal and in great condition.

Sold to Mr EB

Code: 61960