Honorary Member Badges of Marine Rescue Association/帝国水難救済会 名誉会員章

Imperial period badges (1889-1949).

Imperial Marine Rescue Association (a.k.a. Imperial Sea Disaster Rescue Association) was founded on November 3, 1889 in Shikoku. In April of 1890 the organization’s ties with the Imperial family were strengthened when Prince Takehito Arisugawa became honorary president. In March of 1892 the headquarters of the association moved to Tokyo. In May 1903 a bill passed through parliament allowing members of the association to wear badges.​

Silver gilded badges (these badges usually have diamond edge on reverse).
1st variation "single pin".

Size (approximately) 30 x 37.5 mm.
Weight 15 g.

Reverse

名譽會員 - Honorary Member

帝國水難救済會 - Imperial Marine Rescue Association

 

Unfortunately silver badges are unmarked.

 

2nd variation "double pin".

 

Typical case for such badges.

Dimensions 65 x 53 x 18 mm.

Inside

帝國 - Imperial

水難救済會 - Marine Rescue Association

製作部 - Production Department

 

Case variation.

"Double pin" in original case.

 

Late base metal badges.

Size (approximately) 30 x 37.5 mm.
Weight 11-12 g.

 

Another example of such badge (most likely copper alloy).

 

Typical for such badges balsa (or kiri) case.

 

1949+ period badges.

In April 1949 Association name was changed from Imperial Marine Rescue Association/帝国水難救済会 to Japan Marine Rescue Association/日本水難救済会.
The design of the signs remained unchanged. Only reverse inscription slightly changed.

Two central kanji 帝国 - Imperial

were changed to 日本 - Japan.

Typical badge from this time period.

Original case.

 

Another post-war badge.

Case.

 

HQ variation (same level of quality that has 1st "imperial" variation).

Case.