The medal's obverse bears crossed flagpoles with Japanese and American flags draped over middle, sprig of laurel on top; at bottom, two oak branches under Gorham hallmark of Lion passant, anchor, and Gothic G.
The reverse bears legend, PRESENTED · TO / THE · MEMBERS · OF / JAPANESE · COMMISSION / ON · THEIR · VISIT / · / TO / THE · GORHAM / MANUFACTURING CO / PROVIDENCE, R.I. / U.S.A. / OCT. 22 . 1909
In 1909, Eiichi Shibusawa led the Japanese Commercial Commission visit to the United States. This group of fifty business leaders met with chambers of commerce in major cities across America including Seattle, Portland, New York, Denver, Los Angeles, and obviously also visited the factory of Gorham Co. in Providence, Rhode Island. Meetings with American leaders like financier J.P. Morgan, inventor Thomas Edison, and President William Howard Taft completed the schedule.
It is believed that Japanese and American business leaders were desperately seeking to emphasize their common commercial interests in the midst of rising political and racial tensions between their two countries.
The circular medal measures 55mm in diameter and was cast by the Gorham Manufacturing Company of Providence, Rhode Island. No mintage is reported but the fact that this medal was presented only to visiting commission members and cast instead of struck indicates a very small number, probably around 50.
Images of the bronze medal courtesy of Stack's Bowers Galleries, www.StacksBowers.com.
