The breast star. Silver gilt, enamels, with red glass center medallion representing the sun of the national flag, measures 90.8 mm in diameter, and weighs 102.2 g. The silver reverse shows four screw heads and the characters meaning "Order of Merit Decoration" arranged in a square. Mint marked "M" at the bottom.

The sash badge. Silver gilt, enamels, and glass, 114.0 mm in height (incl. eyelet), 76.0 mm in width, and weighs 92.3 g. The badge is suspended from a paulownia crest of green leaves and purple flowers, veined on the obverse, and inscribed on the reverse with

The breast star. Silver gilt, enamels, with red glass center medallion representing the sun of the national flag, measures 90.8 mm in diameter, and weighs 102.2 g. The silver reverse shows four screw heads and the characters meaning "Order of Merit Decoration" arranged in a square. Mint marked "M" at the bottom.

The sash badge. Silver gilt, enamels, and glass, 114.0 mm in height (incl. eyelet), 76.0 mm in width, and weighs 92.3 g. The badge is suspended from a paulownia crest of green leaves and purple flowers, veined on the obverse, and inscribed on the reverse with characters meaning "order of merit decoration". The eyelet of the paulownia crest has a metal jump ring which goes into the carabiner on the underside of the sash rosette.

The sash is in white moiré silk with bright-red edges. It is 175 cm long, 97.6 mm wide with 16.3 mm red edges.

The set includes a miniature rosette lapel pin.

The issue case measures 25 x 13 x 7.5 cm, in solid wood with beveled edges and rounded corners, finished in black lacquer. The lid is decorated with an inlaid gold-plated paulownia crest and the title in kanji. Inside, the case has a wooden platform lined with purple velvet with two fitted pads for the star and the badge. The platform is hinged in the middle, opening into the space for the sash. The inside of the lid is lined with padded purple silk.

The star is in very fine condition. The white enamel on the rays in the 9 o'clock to 1 o'clock range show occasional minuscule flakes, hairlines, and contact points, barely noticeable without magnification and not detractive. The center medallion has a few hair-thin scratches, visible only when tilting it to reflect a bright light. The silver shows very attractive mild patina.

The badge is in very fine condition. About 2 mm at the tip of the 12 o'clock ray show enamel repair on both sides of the ray. The obverse of the crest shows minute flakes to the green enamel and minor damage to the gilt at the very bottom near the connection with the badge. On the reverse, the green enamel has two hairlines, also at the very bottom, barely noticeable. Looking at the obverse, one of the points of the long swallowtail rays at 3:00 and 7:30 o'clock are slightly curved out, possibly a manufacturing defect, and not very obvious at that.

The sash is very clean with the exception of one soiled spot shown in one of our photos. The stain is mostly confined to the inner side of the silk when wearing the sash. The outside shows minimal soiling and, being at the shoulder / neck area, can probably be hidden from view.

The issue case shows barely any wear on the outside, and just a tiny chip to the wood on the inner side of the lid.

The Order of the Rising Sun, the first national decoration of Japan, was established by the Council of State Decree of April 10, 1875. It can be bestowed on the military and civilians, Japanese and foreign, as a general order or merit.
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