Japanese WWI-era, Order of the Rising Sun, (旭日章, asahishō), 2nd class. Very high quality with no chips in the enamel. Ribbon also in excellent condition. Neck-worn and until 2003, awarded to men only.
The green enamel tab with inscription atop the medal, (more easily seen on photo 2 and 3), which has 32 rays coming from the red sun has 17 pink cherry blossoms (桜の花 sakura no hana), the same as the number of petals on the Royal Chrysanthemum insignia of the Japanese Emperor.
This particular medal was awarded to Colonel Bernard Ramsden on staff duty in Japan just after WWI.
