Pre WW2 WWII Imperial Japanese Army Ministry IJA Award Plaque by Jitsuzo Hinago

Description

Title: Award Tablet
Commissioned
for
Imperial
Secretary
of the Army Ministry, dedicated to
the
Mukden Incident of 1931
Description:
Superb Bronze Award tablet
dedicated to the Secretary of war army ministry for the Mukden incident in 1931 in original presentation case. The bronze plaque itself was created by renowned Japanese sculptor
Jitsuzo Hinag who
went to compete in the 1932 and 1936 Summer Olympics and is made of exquisite detail. The bronze tablet is secured by small nails in each corner and is backed by what looks like a quality black lacquer wood. Obverse the plaque stands an original leg for the tablet to stand upright of the same material with original hardware. The top back has a metal dedication to the Showa 6-9 Years conflict and to the Secretary of the Army Ministry of the Imperial Japanese Army. The hard shell case appears to be a soft wood with a leatherette style sheath covering around it and is complete with original 2 working hinges at the back and 2 original ornate closing clips at the front. Interior of the case is lined in golden yellow soft velvet at the base and the top is lined with a pillow plush white silk. The red silk lace with gold kanji in the bottom right corner of the case reads "To Be Granted"
Brief History
The
Mukden Incident
, also known as the
Manchurian Incident
, was an event set up by Japanese soldiers as a reason for invading the northern part of China known as Manchuria in 1931
On September 18, 1931, a small amount of dynamite was blown up by a Japanese soldier near Japan's South Manchuria Railway near Mukden .
Although the explosion was so weak that the rail was still usable, the Japanese army, blaming the action on the Chinese people, fully invaded Manchuria, leading to its occupation. Japan set up its puppet state of Manchukuo six months later. Soon the world knew the event, leading Japan to diplomatic isolation and its withdrawal from the League of Nations.
Biography
Japanese sculptor Jitsuzo Hinago dropped out of Keio University and instead graduated from the Tokyo University of Art as a sculpture major in 1918, studying under Fumio Asakura, who was one of the most influential contemporary sculptors in Japanese history. From 1919 onwards he was continuously awarded prizes at the Emperor Exhibitions. In 1928, he was one of the founding members of a group of oppositional sculptors called
kōzō-sha
aimed at combining sculpture and architecture.
Hinago travelled to Europe in 1929 and spent two years in France and Italy. After his return he was active in re-organizing the Imperial Art Institute and became a member of the board of the Kokufu sculpture association. Hinako created over 200 sculptures, including a commemorative medal on Yabusame (archery from horseback, a Japanese national sport) for the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Hinako also created the Japanese Soccer Association’s symbol of a three-legged crow. Probably his best known works were reliefs for the
hakkō ichiu
tower in Miyazaki, constructed in 1940. After World War II, the tower was renamed
Heiwanotou
Tower (Tower of Peace). Hinago was commissioned to make commemorative medals for many sports-related events, and also for military events.
Condition:
2 nails appear to be missing while 1 (top left)
is holding the tablet in place, the other one (bottom right) is there merely support it seems and is loose. Some signs of wear the the bottom of the case, the wood backing on the plaque and some stress pulls and tears at the velvet liner. Various signs of other wear and damage.
Approx Measurements:
Overall: 11 1/2" by 17 1/2" and
3/4" width
Box is 13 1/2" by 19" and 2" width
Weight:
3.9 lbs
About Me:
Like most, I picked up the collecting bug many years ago when I was younger rummaging through the nooks and crannies of my grandparent's summer house in upstate New York. Today, you can still see me doing the same thing, only I don't fit through much of those spots anymore but that doesn't stop me from enjoying the thrill of the hunt. I
am an avid enthusiast for all things unusual, one-of-a-kind, and historical, with a specific focus on militaria and other remarkable, eccentric, antique oddities. Since I know you have the same eclectic tastes as I do because your reading this, please checkout my other items section as I always have new unusual stuff coming in!
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Regards, Bryan (HistoriesHiddenHeirlooms)