Imperial Japanese Red Cross Society General Meeting Commemorative Member’s Badge
Imperial Japanese Red Cross Society member’s badge issued in commemoration of a general meeting, preserved with its original fitted wooden presentation case.
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Specifications
| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Item | Imperial Japanese Red Cross Society General Meeting Commemorative Member’s Badge |
| Country | Japan |
| Organization | Japanese Red Cross Society |
| Era | Imperial Japan, late Meiji through early Showa, pre-1945 |
| Type | Japanese Red Cross Society member’s commemorative pin-back badge |
| Purpose | Member’s badge issued or presented in commemoration of a general meeting of the Society |
| Inscriptions & Design | |
| Case Lid Inscription | 赤十字社員章 |
| Case Lid Translation | Red Cross Society Member’s Badge |
| Badge Reverse Inscription | 總會紀念 |
| Modern Character Form | 総会記念 |
| Badge Reverse Translation | General Meeting Commemoration |
| Front Design | Red enameled cross beneath a phoenix, surrounded by decorative plant and ribbon motifs |
| Construction & Dimensions | |
| Material | Gilt metal with red enamel |
| Construction | Suspended medallion attached to a horizontal pin-back bar |
| Mount | Horizontal suspension bar with hinged pin and catch |
| Case | Original fitted wooden presentation case with dark blue velvet-style interior |
| Case Dimensions | Approx. 1.75 in. x 2.5 in. |
| Medallion Dimensions | Approx. 0.75 in. x 0.75 in. |
| Overall Badge Dimensions | Approx. 0.75 in. x 1.2 in. |
| Provenance | |
| Acquisition | Acquired from Tokyo, Japan |
Overview
This piece is an Imperial Japanese Red Cross Society General Meeting Commemorative Member’s Badge. It was issued or presented in connection with a formal general meeting of the Japanese Red Cross Society and survives with its original fitted wooden presentation case.
The lid of the case is inscribed 赤十字社員章, meaning “Red Cross Society Member’s Badge.” In the historical terminology of the Japanese Red Cross Society, 社員 referred to a member.
The reverse of the badge bears the separate inscription 總會紀念, the older-character form of 総会記念, meaning “General Meeting Commemoration.” Together, the inscriptions identify the piece as a Japanese Red Cross Society member’s badge associated with and commemorating a general meeting.
Identification & Markings
The wooden presentation case is marked 赤十字社員章, translated as “Red Cross Society Member’s Badge.” This inscription identifies the general category of the insignia and its association with membership in the Japanese Red Cross Society.
The reverse of the badge is inscribed 總會紀念, meaning “General Meeting Commemoration.” This inscription identifies the badge’s more specific purpose and connects it with a formal general meeting of the Society.
The front displays the Japanese Red Cross Society emblem, with a red enameled cross beneath a phoenix. The emblem is surrounded by raised plant forms, hanging decorative elements, and ribbon work. The red enamel provides the principal color contrast against the gilt metal body.
The inscriptions on the case and badge complement one another. The case identifies it as a Red Cross Society member’s badge, while the reverse inscription records its association with a general meeting.
Physical Description
The badge consists of a small gilt medallion suspended from a narrow horizontal pin-back bar. The medallion has a scalloped outer edge and a detailed raised design centered around the red enameled cross and phoenix emblem.
Decorative plant and ribbon motifs surround the central emblem. The raised details retain good definition, and the red enamel remains clearly visible. The reverse of the medallion is comparatively plain apart from the impressed commemorative inscription.
The horizontal suspension bar carries a hinged pin and catch on the reverse, allowing the badge to be worn on clothing. The suspended construction permits the medallion to move slightly beneath the bar.
The original wooden presentation case is compact and neatly fitted, with a dark blue velvet-style interior designed to hold the badge securely in place. The lid bears the inscription 赤十字社員章, meaning “Red Cross Society Member’s Badge.” The fitted case reinforces the formal presentation and commemorative nature of the piece.
Historical Context
The organization that became the Japanese Red Cross Society was founded in 1877 as the Hakuaisha, or Philanthropic Society. It adopted the Japanese Red Cross Society name in 1887 and developed into a major national medical, humanitarian, and patriotic organization during the Imperial period.
Membership in the Society included individuals who supported its humanitarian work through participation, donations, and organizational service. In the historical language used by the Society, these members could be described by the term 社員.
Formal meetings and assemblies were important organizational events, and commemorative badges were produced or presented to mark such occasions. The inscription 總會紀念 places this example specifically within that meeting tradition.
The design, construction, inscriptions, and presentation style are consistent with an Imperial Japanese example, dating from before 1945.
Collector Notes
This is an appealing and complete Japanese Red Cross commemorative set because it retains the badge, suspension bar, pin-back assembly, enamel decoration, and original fitted presentation case. The inscriptions on both the case and badge provide a clear identification and explain the purpose of the piece.
The case is especially important to the artifact record. Without it, the reverse inscription would still identify the badge as a general meeting commemorative, but the case inscription adds the membership designation and helps clarify how the badge was originally categorized.
The piece also represents an aspect of Imperial Japanese history outside strictly military-issued equipment. It reflects the membership, ceremonial, and commemorative culture of a major national humanitarian organization during the Imperial period.
Assessment & Provenance
This piece is an Imperial Japanese Red Cross Society General Meeting Commemorative Member’s Badge in its original fitted wooden presentation case. The case lid inscription, 赤十字社員章, identifies it as a Red Cross Society member’s badge. The reverse inscription, 總會紀念, meaning “General Meeting Commemoration,” identifies its specific commemorative purpose.
This piece was acquired from Tokyo, Japan. That reported provenance should be preserved with the artifact record as received.