| Manchukuo Empire: The Pillars of State 満州国 柱國章 |
2nd Class Breast Badge
This award was one of the main orders of the Manchukuo Empire. Sources say that this
order corresponded with the Japanese Order of the Sacred Treasure, so it should have
been freely awarded for merit. However, since the puppet empire lasted only 13 years
(1932-45) and since this order was established in 1936, this medal is hard-to find and
is highly desirable for collectors.
The design has four pillars, an Oriental architectural style used in palaces and temples.
The center has the colors of the Manchukuo flag.
Peterson gives some figures on the numbers of awards made (see page 149), but it is
unclear where he got these numbers. In addition, he states that these are the awards
given from 1936-40, implying either that no awards were given after 1940 (unlikely) or
that no data was available for the last five years (probable).
Here they are:
1st Class: 47 2nd Class: 97 3rd Class: 260
4th Class: 657 5th Class: 1,777 6th Class: 2,778
7th Class: 9,524 8th Class: 24,464
The numbers I found from the official history of the Japanese Mint are as follows. Note
that these include the years 1936 to 1945:
1st Class: 83 2nd Class: 445 3rd Class: 879
4th Class: 2,034 5th Class: 4,555 6th Class: 9,561
7th Class: 25,640 8th Class: 62,691
Note that the 4th and 5th Classes, as well as the 6th through 8th, are determined by the
number and style of bars.
order corresponded with the Japanese Order of the Sacred Treasure, so it should have
been freely awarded for merit. However, since the puppet empire lasted only 13 years
(1932-45) and since this order was established in 1936, this medal is hard-to find and
is highly desirable for collectors.
The design has four pillars, an Oriental architectural style used in palaces and temples.
The center has the colors of the Manchukuo flag.
Peterson gives some figures on the numbers of awards made (see page 149), but it is
unclear where he got these numbers. In addition, he states that these are the awards
given from 1936-40, implying either that no awards were given after 1940 (unlikely) or
that no data was available for the last five years (probable).
Here they are:
1st Class: 47 2nd Class: 97 3rd Class: 260
4th Class: 657 5th Class: 1,777 6th Class: 2,778
7th Class: 9,524 8th Class: 24,464
The numbers I found from the official history of the Japanese Mint are as follows. Note
that these include the years 1936 to 1945:
1st Class: 83 2nd Class: 445 3rd Class: 879
4th Class: 2,034 5th Class: 4,555 6th Class: 9,561
7th Class: 25,640 8th Class: 62,691
Note that the 4th and 5th Classes, as well as the 6th through 8th, are determined by the
number and style of bars.
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3rd Class
4th Class
The bars on the 4th and 5th class medals are
enamelled. The 6th to 8th class medals have the same
bars, but they have no enamel.
enamelled. The 6th to 8th class medals have the same
bars, but they have no enamel.
Two different 2nd Class cases. Notice the difference in the kanji style.
3rd Class
5th Class
Order the Pillars of State 1st Class award document
