Medals Related to Japan

The medal's obverse depicts a hospital scene with Japanese doctor taking the pulse of caucasian patient sitting up in bed, Japanese nurse standing by with a bottle of medicine. Around top, Japaense symbols ; signed at left, P LENOIR

The reverse bears crossed French and Japanese flags with Cross on lotus flower in center. Around, HOPITAUX JAPONAIS EN FRANCE, across, 1914 - 1918

The Japanese Red Cross Society had acquired an impressive reputation by providing assistance with numerous disasters world-wide, for example the San Francisco earthquake of 1906.

Only a few days after Japan entered World War I on the Allied side, the Japanese Cabinet requested that the Red Cross Society send three groups of doctors and nurses to Europe: one each to Japan’s allies, Britain, France and Russia. The leaders of the Red Cross Society accepted this proposal, readily recognizing the national and international importance of this pioneering act of Asian medical aid to European countries. The three allies quickly accepted the Japanese suggestion.

This uniface plaquette shows a Japanese student, facing away towards rising sun, with arms lifted high in gesture of invocation; ocean and Japaneses buildings in background. Along left edge, Japanese characters; aling right edge, JOCHI = UNIVERSITY; signed at top right, Leo Z Moll

Sophia University, or Jochi Daigaku as it is called in Japanese, was founded by Jesuits in 1913. It began with the mission to build a bridge between Japan and the Christian West. It is located in the heart of Tokyo and still operates as a private Jesuit university bringing together the best of the Western and Asian intellectual traditions.

This handsome little plaquette came with a brochure that matched the plaquette in size. It reads:

The single Japanese is symbolic of the nation. The sun represents the light and guidance that Jochi University hopes to bring to the Country of the Rising Sun.

References:   MACo 1931-016