Japanese campaign and war medals

[Laurence Strong]

1904-05 War Medal

Awarded for those who participated in the Russo-Japanese War.



Reverse. The inscription reads "Mejii 37-8 Years War"

[Laurence Strong]

1931-34 Incident Medal

Introduced on 23 July 1934 for those who served in Manchuria with the Kwantung Army. Along with issue paper wrapping

The bird shown on the obverse is not an eagle but the legendary Golden Kite, perched on a shield with the Cherry Blossom emblem above.

The Japanese characters of "Kanji" on the bar on the ribbon reads simply "War Medal"




The reverse shows two Japanese steel helmets over Kanji spelling out the inscription "Showa 6th Year to 9th Year Incident"

[Laurence Strong]

China Incident Medal

Awarded to those who served in the Japanese Army in China between 1937-45. Interesting use of the term "Incident" to describe a war lasting 8 years !!
Obverse shows not an eagle but "yata-no-karasu" a mythical giant crow, under the Cysanthemum and flanked by two Rising Sun flags. Once again the Kanji on the ribbon bar just say "War Medal"


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Reverse shows a representation of the mountains of northern China, the Kanji below reading " China Incident"