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The 123rd Emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession, reigning from July 30, 1912, until his death in 1926. Manuscript DS, in Japanese, one page, 23 x 18, June 27, 1920. The Emporer bestows the Order of the Rising Sun, Second Class, to Rear Admiral Algernon W. Heneage. Document reads (translated):
WE, by the Grace of Heaven, Emperor of Japan, seated on
The Throne occupied by the Same Dynasty from time immemorial
DO HEREBY CONFER UPON
REAR-ADMIRAL ALGERNON W. HENEAGE
THE ORDER OF THE RISING SUN, SECOND CLASS,
And manifest our sentiments of benevolence and favour.
WE have hereunto cased Our Signature and the Great Seal
of the Empire to be affixed, at the Imperial Palace, this
twenty seventh day of the sixth month of the eighth year of Taisho,
corresponding to the two thousand five hundred and seventy-ninth
year after the Coronation of the Emperor Jimmu.”
The document, affixed to an identical size board, is also signed by Hideo KodamaI, President of the Bureau of Decorations, as well as Gosuke Yokota and Tetsuo Akamine, Secretaries of the Bureau. In fine condition, with a uniform shade of mild toning from previous display.
At the time, the emperor’s recognition of the British admiral was the latest event in a relatively recently renewed relationship between the United Kingdom and Japan. Having re-established ties via an 1854 treaty following a 200-year hiatus, the emperor would choose to recognize certain representatives of Japan’s allies—men like Rear Admiral Heneage. Interesting association between longtime friends...and occasionally sworn enemies. RRAuction COA.