Seaman's Diligence Badge type 1940 from the Ministry of Communications a.k.a. "Marine Golden Kite"/遞信省顕功章 別名「海の金鵄勲章」

Established on February 10, 1940 by Ministry of Communications Ordinance No. 4. Originally badge was named 顕功章 /Distinguished Service Badge or Meritorious Service Badge/.
In 1943 name (as well as design) was changed to 船員勤勞章 /Seaman's Diligence Badge or Seaman's Meritorious Achievement/ https://asiamedals.info/threads/sea...unications-a-k-a-marine-golden-kite-no.26787/

Badges were awarded to

(1) Persons who have made distinguished achievements that should serve as a model for sailors
(2) Persons made useful inventions and improvements
(3) Persons who has been on board a ship for more than 30 years and has been diligent and has excellent performance.

Original ordinance.

Reverse of full-size badge and miniature [reduced] badge.

Exemplary cased set. Private collection. Photos courtesy of the owner.

Full-size badge.

Silver, gilt, enamel.
Size 40 mm. Thickness 5 mm.
Weight 33 g.

Reverse

顯功章 = 顕功章 - Distinguished Service Badge (顯功 lit. brilliant service, merit or achievements) / Seaman's Meritorious Achievement Badge


Marked 純銀 - pure silver.

 

Reduced [lit. abbreviated] badge.

Silver, gilt, enamel.
Size 22 mm.

Marked 純銀 - pure silver.

Full-size badge vs. miniature badge.

 

Original cases (outer, cardboard and lacquered).

All cases have the same inscription.

顕功章 - Distinguished Service Badge

遞信省 - Ministry of Communications

 

Cases interiors.

Full-sized badge case inscribed inside

正章 - Regular Badge

Reduced badge case inscribed inside

略章 - Reduced [Abbreviated] Badge

 

Another full set (only cardboard cases are missing).

 

Interesting article published by Yomiuri Shimbun /讀賣新聞/ on February 7, 1940.

Establishment of the Marine Gold Kite Order /海の金鵄勲章制定/.

"Amidst the waves of world turmoil, the Japanese flag on the ship's hull bravely plays an active role in the seven seas. This is the second spring visit to our sailors.The United Kingdom, which boasts the world's strongest shipping nation, pays special attention to the preferential treatment of sailors, and even gives the title of "Sir" to an old captain who has made a great achievement. However, in Japan, which boasts of being a maritime country, there is no commendation system other than the "sailor's pension system" which was passed by the previous parliament and is scheduled to be implemented from this June. Finally, on the occasion of this epoch, the ``Rules for Commendation for Sailors,'' also known as the ``Golden Kite of the Sea,'' was promulgated by ministerial ordinance. The standard of commendation, which will start the selection of the shining hero

1. A good deed that serves as a model for sailors
1. Inventions and discoveries that are particularly useful in maritime affairs
1. Those who have been on board for more than 30 years and have excellent results

Afterwards, the solid chest shines and becomes the object of admiration and respect for the young people of Koa. ” was also enacted, making this day the day for awarding the Medal of Merit, and at the same time spurring the boundless progress of Japanese shipping.
The original drawing of the merit badge was collected from the students of the Tokyo Higher Arts and Crafts School. The crests of the two waves are surrounded by a distinct helm, from which swordlights radiate powerfully in five directions, representing the conquest of the world's oceans. is a five-colored cloisonné - a magnificent representation of the five continents
The Bureau of Ship Management and Shipowners' Association has already begun a preliminary investigation to select a hero of the sea."​

Original text.

海の“金鴟勲章”制定

船乗りに贈られる最高の栄誉

『海の記念日』も定めて

世界動乱の波涛のなかを船腹の日章旗も雄々しく七つの海に活躍するわが海の子らをたたえた“海の金鵄勲章”－顕功章が紀元の佳節を卜して制定される「硝煙手当」につづいてわが船員達に重ねての春の訪ずれである－世界最強の海運国を誇るイギリスは船員の優遇については特に注意を払い功績ある老船長には「サー」の称号さえ贈っている、ところが海国を誇るわが国では前議会を通過してこの六月から実施される予定の「船員年金制度」以外にはなんらの表彰制度なく、船員達を表彰する制度をかねて要望されていたが、いよいよこの紀元の佳節を卜して“海の金鵄勲章”ともいう「船員表彰規則」が省令で公布され同時に省内に大和田次官を委員長に「船員表彰委員会」を組織“日の丸船員”の亀鑑と輝く勇士の人選を開始することとなった、表彰の標準は

一、船員の亀鑑となる善行ありたるもの
一、海事に関し特に有益なる発明発見あるもの
一、三十年以上乗組み成績優秀なるもの

の三項目に分れやがてがっしりした胸間に輝いて興亜の青少年たちの憧れと尊敬の的となるわけで逓信省ではこの顕功章制定を機会に「海運日本」を寿ぐ“海の記念日”をも制定、この日を顕功章授与の日にすると同時に限りなき日本海運の躍進に拍車をかけることとなった
顕功章の原図は東京高等工芸在学生中から懸賞募集したもので本章と略章に分れ本章は公式用略章はバッジようとなっている本章の中央部には世界の海をあらわす七つの波頭、それをぐるりととり囲んで舵輪がくっきりと浮かび舵輪からは世界の海の制覇をかたどって剣光が五方向に力強く放射されている、台地はいぶし銀で剣光と剣光との間は五色の七宝焼き－五大洲をあらわす壮麗なものだ
管船局では船主協会各船会社と聯絡、早くも輝く海の勇士の人選下調べに入ったが、受賞の標準としては単に難破船を救ったとか人命を救助したとかを超えて“日の丸船員”の精神を高度に発揚したもの…と厳選される模様である、また“海の記念日”としてはわが国にはじめて船舶法が施行された六月十六日（明治三十二年）＝或いは同法の公布された三月八日＝となる見込みである.

Another article Interesting article published by Osaka Mainichi Shimbun /大阪每日新聞/ on February 6, 1940.

​

 

Cased full-size badge.

 

Another example.

 

Cased full-size badge.

Private collection. Photos courtesy of the owner.

Silver, gilt, enamel.
Size 40.52 mm.
Weight 33g.

Reverse

顯功章 - Distinguished Service Badge / Seaman's Meritorious Achievement Badge

Case.

顯功章 - Distinguished Service Badge

遞信省 - Ministry of Communications

Inside

正章 - Regular [Sized] Badge

 

Rare opportunity to look under the central medallion.

顯功章 - Distinguished Service Badge

遞信省 - Ministry of Communications

Inside

正章 - Regular [Sized] Badge