The First Sino-Japanese War (1894-5)
The First Sino-Japanese War (July 25, 1894 - April 17, 1895) pitted the Chinese Qing Dynasty against the expansionist Meiji Empire of Japan. It was known as the War of Jiaw in China; the Japan-Qing War in Japan and the Qing-Japan War in Korea, scene of most hostilities. The war marked the start of Japan's serious effort to expand the influence of its Empire in Asia through military means.
Following a six-month string of land and naval military losses and the Capture of the Port of Weihaiwei, the Qing government sued for a peaceful conclusion to hostilities. Following negotiations, Japan gained influence over both Formosa (Taiwan) and Korea.
Japan issued the Military Medal of Honor for meritorious service to the Empire of Japan to all military personnel engaged in battle. The medal was alleged to have been made from captured enemy cannons, but this is unverified. The obverse depicts the Imperial chrysanthemum (symbol of the Imperial family) above two crossed flags. The bar has no inscription. The reverse has four characters at its center (read top to bottom, right to left) JU-GUN-KI-SHO (War Medal). The edge inscription reads (counter-clockwise from the bottom right) MEI-JI-NI-JU-NANA-HACHI-NEN (Meiji Years 27-8 corresponding to 1894-95).
The First Sino-Japanese War (July 25, 1894 - April 17, 1895) pitted the Chinese Qing Dynasty against the expansionist Meiji Empire of Japan. It was known as the War of Jiaw in China; the Japan-Qing War in Japan and the Qing-Japan War in Korea, scene of most hostilities. The war marked the start of Japan's serious effort to expand the influence of its Empire in Asia through military means.
Following a six-month string of land and naval military losses and the Capture of the Port of Weihaiwei, the Qing government sued for a peaceful conclusion to hostilities. Following negotiations, Japan gained influence over both Formosa (Taiwan) and Korea.
Japan issued the Military Medal of Honor for meritorious service to the Empire of Japan to all military personnel engaged in battle. The medal was alleged to have been made from captured enemy cannons, but this is unverified. The obverse depicts the Imperial chrysanthemum (symbol of the Imperial family) above two crossed flags. The bar has no inscription. The reverse has four characters at its center (read top to bottom, right to left) JU-GUN-KI-SHO (War Medal). The edge inscription reads (counter-clockwise from the bottom right) MEI-JI-NI-JU-NANA-HACHI-NEN (Meiji Years 27-8 corresponding to 1894-95).
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