World War II Japanese 1937 - 1945 China Incident Medal

This medal is a 1937 - 1945 China Incident medal (this was an undeclared war and is referred to by the Japanese as an "incident" - thus the name) created by Imperial Edict No. 496 on July 27, 1939. The front features a "yata no karasu" (a mythical giant red crow) with a 16 Joukyokujitsuki flag (often referred to as the Japanese Navy flag, but used by all branches of the military during World War 2) on either side and a 16 pedal chrysanthemum crest (symbol of the Imperial Family) above. The back features mountains and the sea with four Japanese characters.

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