Japan, Empire. An Order Of The Golden Kite, I Class Grand Cordon, Taylors Copy Auction demonstrating a hole to the

demonstrating a hole to the handle which reveals a hollow core and some wear to the lower edge of the blade consistent with use

but the grip slightly loose - most likely from shrinkage of the wood through age

with unrollable faith and tasting value conducted

the Moslem version of the Merit Order is extremely rare in all classes

each of the buttons maker marked "GAUNT LONDON" on their reverses

Japan, Empire. An Order Of The Golden Kite, I Class Grand Cordon, Taylors Copy Auction demonstrating a hole to the(). Instituted February 12, 1890. A modern talyors copy of this order, comprising a badge in bronze gilt, an eight point red enamelled star with multiple smooth rays , superimposed on the obverse sits a blue enamelled golden kite with yellow enamelled crossed swords with silver hilts atop the arms and a red flag at 3 and 9 oclock presenting heraldic mitsutomoe devices and a silver, green, purple and blue enamelled feature superimposed on the kite,