Order of the Rising Sun – 8th Class (Cased)

The Order of the Rising Sun (旭日章 – Kyokujitsu-shō) was established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji as Japan’s first national order of merit. Designed to reflect the symbolic identity of Japan as the “Land of the Rising Sun,” the order features stylized radiant sunbeams representing vitality, honor, and national service.

The 8th Class (now discontinued) was the most junior grade of the order and was traditionally awarded for loyal public service, military merit, or distinguished civil achievement. Prior to 1945 it was frequently bestowed upon NCOs, soldiers, police, government clerks, and civilians who demonstrated commendable dedication in their respective roles. While modest in rank, the 8th Class remained a respected imperial decoration, representing inclusion in Japan’s oldest system of formal honors.

This example is an original pre-WWII/WWII period medal, complete with its matching presentation box. The medal retains excellent detail, displaying the classic radiant sunburst design suspended from its red-and-white ribbon. The wooden case bears the gilded kanji inscription identifying the order.

Item Details

• Decoration: Order of the Rising Sun, 8th Class

• Era: Pre-1945 Imperial Japan

• Material: Silvered metal with enamel accents

• Ribbon: Original, lightly aged but strong

• Case: Original, with gold-stamped kanji on lid

• Condition: Medal in very good condition with crisp detail; box with minor age wear only

Collector’s Note

The lower classes of the Order of the Rising Sun — especially the 8th Class — are increasingly difficult to find in complete, untouched sets, as many were discarded or separated from their cases over time. This is an appealing and historically significant example of Imperial Japan’s earliest and most iconic award system, ideal for collections focused on Japanese orders, early Meiji-era decoration history, or WWII-era militaria.