Gold and white enamel cross of four sets of five rays, the outer rays longest, the inner ray shortest, on laterally-pierced ball with loop for ribbon suspension; the face with a circular central medallion of blue enamel within a gold circle bearing a stylised Hexadecagonal (16-sided) mirror surrounded by a superimposed geometric necklace of sixteen red paste jewels; the reverse plain; a chip to the inner upper right red jewel; height excluding suspension ring 14.38mm (0.57 inch), width 11.8mm (0.46 inch); lacking ribbon. The Order was founded by Imperial edict on 4 January 1888 in eight classes to be awarded for distinguished service. The insignia incorporates representations of the sacred Yata Mirror and the Yasakani Jewels and the sword of the Emperor. This example in gold came from the workshops of De Greef of Brussels.
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