Order of the Golden Kite

Japanese: 金鵄勲章 - きんしくんしょう

This was one of the Japanese medals used until the Second World War, and was awarded to military personnel and civilian employees with outstanding military achievements. It was established on February 11, 1890 (Meiji 23), which is now known as National Foundation Day, to commemorate the 2550th anniversary of the Imperial Era. The background to the award was the intention to elevate the status of military personnel and civilian employees and boost their morale at a time when the Japanese military was transitioning to an external military force before the Sino-Japanese War (1894-95). The name Kinkaku (Golden Kite) was given to Emperor Jimmu after a golden black kite landed on his bow during his eastern expedition, blinding the enemy Nagasunehiko 's troops and causing them to surrender. There were seven grades of merit, and the medal was considered to be higher than the ranks of the same number. During the Sino-Japanese War, recipients were given a life pension, and economic benefits came with the honor. However, as the war expanded, the national treasury could no longer bear the burden, and in 1940 (Showa 15) the system was changed to a lump sum payment system and government bonds were paid out. After Japan was defeated in the war, the system was abolished under the orders of GHQ, and pensions and government bonds were made invalid. The number of recipients reached approximately 940,000 by the end of World War II.

Source: Kodansha Encyclopedia of Medals and Awards

Japanese:

第二次世界大戦まで運用されていた日本の勲章の一つで、武功抜群の軍人・軍属に授与された。1890年（明治23）2月11日の紀元節（現在は建国記念の日）に、皇紀2550年を記念して制定された。その背景には、日清戦争（1894～95年）を前に日本の軍隊が対外的軍隊へと移行する時期にあって、軍人・軍属の地位を高め、士気を昂揚する意図があった。金鵄の名は、神武天皇の東征の際、金色の鵄（トビ）が天皇の弓にとまり、敵の長髄彦(ながすねひこ)の軍勢は目をくらませて降伏したという故事にちなんでつけられた。功一級から功七級まであり、同じ数字の勲等より上位とみなされた。日清戦争中に、受章者には終身年金が与えられることになり、名誉とともに経済的恩典も伴うものとなった。しかし、その後の戦争拡大で国庫が負担に耐えられなくなり、1940年（昭和15）に一時金制となり国債が支給された。敗戦後GHQの指示で廃止され、年金や国債は無効となった。受章者は第二次大戦終了まで約94万人にのぼった。

出典　講談社勲章・褒章がわかる事典について　情報

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