Japan 1888-1941 Red Cross Medal Phoenix .925 Silver

Japan 1888-1941 Red Cross Medal Phoenix .925 Silver

This is an interesting little piece of Japanese history!

The Meiji Era (1868-1912) was characterized by transformation. Japan had historically followed a policy of strict isolationism enacted by the shōguns, who had functionally ruled since 1603. When the shōgun was removed, Japan began to modernize, industrialize, expand, and, in many ways, Westernize. Part of this push to become a modern power was joining international organizations, and so in 1887, the Japanese Philanthropic Society (Hakuaisha) joined with the International Committee of the Red Cross. Membership medals like this one began production in the following year, and were produced in sterling silver until 1941, when they switched to aluminum. Curiously, every single Red Cross medal manufactured until 1941 carries the same date: Meiji 21, which is 1888 in the Western calendar. The obverse side shows the Red Cross below a phoenix, which is a symbol of imperial authority.