JAPANESE WAR DECORATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13456, 8 April 1907, Page 6

JAPANESE WAR DECORATIONS.

REWARDS OF HEROIC DEEDS.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, Saturday. In the course of an article about our Japanese naval visitors, the Times remarks that they are proud of their medals. On the Itsukushima there are 15 seamen and eight officers who possess what they call "Victory" medals—large silver medals, equivalent to our Victoria Cross." A Victory medal indicates great war service rendered, and it is highly prized. It is worn nearest to the -button o fthe coat. Next to this on some breasts appears a, medal which resembles a green shamrock. This is a service medal, and indicates participation in the Boxer war in China. The plain bronze medal, also a service medal, is more common. It is the emblem of the Chinese war, when the three 12iin guns now in Wellington Harbour won them the victory. Another decoration is the Kinshi-Kunsho, or Golden Kite medal, an enamelled gold medal of several colours. This was the reward of the victory over Russia. The Kite medal is ranged in seven classes. Classes six and seven go to warrant officers and seamen, and the other classes to officers, according to rank. All the 14 officers in the wardroom of the flagship have their fifth-class Kites, and so has Sub-Lieutenant Tsukamoto, who helped to capture Roshdesvenski. A sublieutenant's proper medal is a sixth-class one. Vice-Admiral Tomibka has a third order Kinshi, but only 10 men in the Japanese army or navy possess first or second orders. Among them are Admiral Togo and Marshal Oyama, who each possess first Kinshis. Staff Lieutenant-Com-mander Saito has a Kinshi of order four, and Staff Lieutenant Viscount Tamura one of order five. Another medal is the Rising Sun Kun (or merit) medal. Its centre is dark red, like a ruby, and it is given only for great merit. Admiral Tomioka wears a Kun Kilo (or second merit), which is very high, and other decorations. Lieutenant-Commander llara, who woti honours when lie was surrounded by Boxers, in those troublous days in Pekin, possesses valuable medals given to him by Russia, Italy, France, and Japan.