Nambu World: Showa Emperor Enthronement Medal

This medal was awarded to commemorate the formal enthronement of the Showa Emperor (Hirohito) in November, 1928. He actually became emperor as soon as his father, the Taisho Emperor, died in December, 1926, but these elaborate ceremonies always seem to be held a few years afterwards. This medal is covered on page 60 of OMJAS. It is 30mm (1-3/16”) in diameter, 2mm (.080”) thick, and seems to be made of silver.

Here is the back of the medal. It has the usual style of clasp on the ribbon.

In this close-up of the front you can see a gold chrysanthemum, the symbol of the Imperial family, on a dais with what looks sort of like an enclosure for a throne. The two characters at the bottom are banzai, which literally means “10,000 years”. The chrysanthemum seems to be gold plated.

This close-up of the back has the two characters tai-rei at the top, meaning “enthronement”. The rei (left side) is an old form of the character, which is now much simpler. The column of three characters below that is ki-nen-sho, “commemorative medal”. The writing along the bottom edge reads from right to left: sho-wa-san-nen-ju-ichi-gatsu, “November, Showa 3”. Showa 3 was 1928.

Here is the case, which is made of textured cardboard. The two characters across the top are read right to left: sho-wa, i.e. the name of Emperor Hirohito’s reign. The five characters below that are tai-rei-ki-nen-sho, “enthronement commemorative medal”. The box is 103mm X 60mm X 20mm (4-1/16” X 2-5/16” X 13/16”). OMJAS says the case is purple, but mine looks more like reddish-brown.

Here is the medal safely nestled in its case.

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Last updated: August 1, 2006. All contents are copyright Teri unless otherwise specified and may not be used elsewhere in any form without prior permission.