Japanese 2600 Year Medal
From the Collection: A Japanese Commemorative Medal with a connection to the famed Doolittle Raid
1940 was a significant year in the Empire of Japan. It was to be the last year before the country dove headfirst into the ongoing Second World War and the war in China was progressing, however slowly. The year also marked the 2,600 year anniversary of the semi-mythical foundation of the Empire by the Emperor Jimmu in 660BC. Circumstances had prevented the planned 1940 Tokyo Olympics and accompanying World’s Fair, but the jubilee celebration itself remained an important event for the year.
The Medal itself
Celebrations of the anniversary included state visits from Japan’s puppets and allies, religious observances at various Imperial shrines, as well as a large ceremonial gathering at the Imperial Palace itself. Foreign dignitaries were invited to the ceremony at the Palace, which included a reading of a proclamation by Emperor Hirohito. In order to commemorate the event, a medal was authorized for issue to any government personnel and foreign guests for the proceedings.
The reverse of the medal
The medal itself is a bronze medallion, bearing on its front the Seimon Ishibashi, the bridge entrance to the Imperial Palace, with the Crysanthemum, or Mon, seal of the Emperor, prominently displayed. Palace buildings are also visible in the background, with mountains in the distance.
The reverse features the Japanese Kanji for “2600th year of the Imperial Era Celebration Commemorative Medal”, with the Imperial year, Showa 15. The medal is suspended from a ribbon bearing eight stripes representing the idea that the eight corners of the world would be united under the Emperor.
Some of these medals were awarded to visiting American officials, and after the commencement of hostilities after the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December, 1941 there was little desire among Americans to retain such medals.
When the time came on April 18, 1942 for what would become known as the Doolittle Raid, many such medals were donated to be affixed to the bombs bound for Tokyo and its environs, to be returned with the compliments of the United States.
Original Caption: Tightly wired to the fin of a 500 pound bomb, a Rising Sun medal is secure to return to its ancestors. This bomb and the others carried by Army fliers were the first ever to be dropped by “foreigners” on the Islands of Japan