hnperial Ordinance authorizing the latter version that Next on the bar is the China Incident War Medal (Shina only the latest version received by an individual could Jihen Jugun Kisho). This is the most common Japanese be worn.~ war medal, and was given to virtually everyone who played a role in the war in China, whether in the field or The next medal is the World War I Victory Medal (Sensho in support. This medal was authorized on July 26, 1939, Kisho). As part of the general issue it shares a common just a few months before Arakawa was promoted to Rear ribbon with the medals of the other Allied powers, but Admiral. portrays a male god, Take Mikazuchi, rather than the allegorical "Victory" figure used on the Western medals. The last award to appear on the medal bar is the 2600th For the collector, this Japanese version of the Victory National Foundation Commemorative Medal (Kigen Medal is more difficult to obtain than those of the United Ni-sen Roppyaku Nen Shukuten Kinen Sho), created to States or the European nations. celebrate the mythical founding of Japan. Again, this medal was widely distributed to both those directly A second Enthronement Commemorative Medal, this involved in the anniversary celebrations as well as to time for the Showa Emperor (Hirohito, the current many others. Emperor’s father). The Showa Tairei Kinen Cho was authorized on August 1, 1928, although, as was the case There is an additional ribbon on the two ribbon bars in for the Taisho Emperor, he actually ascended the throne the family’s collection which is not represented by an upon the death of his father in 1926. This rather common actual medal on the bar of mounted medals. This is the medal has an interesting story behind it, however, since it most ubiquitous Japanese award of all, the Red Cross figured in a famous scandal (known as the Baiken Jiken Membership Medal. Although essentially a civilian or Kunsho Jigen) in 1929 which further tarnished the award, the medal was available to any person who made reputation of the government headed by Baron Giichi a small financial contribution to the Red Cross and Tanaka (allegedly the author of the infamous "Tanaka authorized to be worn on military and naval uniforms Memorial"). The head of the Decorations Bureau, ,probably because of the Imperial family’s direct support Naoyoshi Amaoka, was discovered to be selling awards of the organization. Why Arakawa did not choose to during the enthronement ceremonies to anyone who was include it on his medal bar is not known. willing to pay. An investigation led to the imprisonment of Amaoka and one of his co-conspirators. Arakawa, as The authors were fortunate to have the opportunity to a serving Naval officer, was naturally a recipient of this learn more about one of the lesser known leaders of commemorative medal. It is interesting to note that on his the hnperial Navy. Although not one of the "fighting mounted medal bar the reverse of the medal is facing out. admirals" whose names grace the pages of history books, Admiral Arakawa’s long and efficient service won him The next award is the 1931-34 Incident Medal (Showa promotion beyond the majority of his peers. The awards Roku-nen no Itaru Ku-nen Jihen Jugun Kisho), authorized he wore on his unifon’n further testify that his skills and on July 23, 1934. Arakawa’s activities during this time abilities were held in high esteem by his superiors. We period, as detailed earlier, obviously entitled him to this wish to thank Ms. Noriko Arakawa for allowing us the award under Section 4 of Imperial Ordinance #225, which opportunity to document his life and share his story with conferred the medal to all personnel who performed others. military support duties related to the war. Endnotes: The Manchurian National Foundation Merit Medal, with 1. Interview with Shin Arakawa’s granddaughter, Noriko Arakawa its distinctive black finish, is to be found on the ribbon (,,’~JIl &~-~), by Guy Power in Tokyo, July 25, 2009. bar of virtually every Japanese Army and Navy officer 2. Personal con’espondence with Noriko Arakawa, 14 September 2009. on duty when it was sanctioned on March 1, 1933. The 3. The battleship Suwo was a prize ship won from Russia at the decree under which it was established allowed the medal conclusion of the Russo-Japanese War; her Russian name was Pobieda. The Suwo became the flagship of the Japanese to be given at the discretion of the Prime Minister and his Expeditionary Force during the Siege of Tsingtao on August 27, office, and apparently very little discretion was used! To 1914. Midshipman Arakawa transferred to the Ikoma on August the best recollection of family members, Arakawa never 14, 1914, so he missed being on the Suwo when it blockaded set foot in Manchukuo, but his work no doubt suppol~ed Tsingtao. the Naval forces which did take part in defense activities 4. The battleship Mishima was another Russian prize ship won in t905; she was formerly christened Admiral Seniavin in 1896. there. In 1920 the Mishima participated in the Japanese support of the Siberian Intmwention by covering the landings of Japanese forces. Vol. 62, No. 3 (May-June 2011) 11 5. Although Lieutenant Arakawa was aboard the Mishima in 1920, I 1942, she was relegated to training duty in Japan’s Inland Sea after cannot find the ship’s record of deployment during his assignment 1943. Subsequently she was damaged by grounding in 1944 " and can only surmise there was still some activity in Russian (Source: http ://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_aircraft_carrier_ waters since Japan did not leave Russia until t 922. H6sh6; current as of 6 April 2010). 6. February 15, 192 t : Captain Koizumi Chikaharu (27), Commanding 17. Author Power knew Mr. Arakawa in Bangkok, Thailand from Officer of battleship Hizen, assumed additional duty as 1969-70, as well as his daughter, Noriko. Noriko is the source for Commanding Officer oflzumo. much of the family information used in this article. June 22, 1922: Izumo, Iwate, Asama and the Training Squadron 18. Imperial Ordinances for War and Commemorative Medals of depart Yokosuka with the 50th class of Etajima bound for Japan and Manchukuo. Honolulu, Los Angeles, the Panama Canal, Rio de Janeiro (to attend a naval review commemorating the 100th anniversary of Brazil’s independence), Buenos Aires, Argentina, Capetown and IN THE NEWS Durban, South Africa. Lays over at Colombo, Ceylon, Singapore and Hong Kong. Purple Hearts for Traumatic Brain Injury? 7. The London Naval Conference lasted from January 21 to April 22, 1930. Commander Arakawa was sent to London on March Soldiers, sailors and marines who suffer combat-related 10, 1930 and stayed in London until December 1931. He had a traumatic brain injury may soon be eligible for the follow-on assignment to France from December 20, 1931 - March Purple Heart. According to the Defence Department 1, 1932 when he received orders to return to Japan. 8. The album identifies the family as ~-~-U 2/ [Horin], which is over 202,000 United States personnel have be diagnosed probably Hollin or Holin. The family members are Mrs. Hollin, with some form of traumatic brain injury since 2000. and her children Beruard, and Maureen. Personal correspondence During the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, traumatic brain with Noriko Arakawa, April 4 and April 15, 2010. injury has become the signature wound. As a result, the 9. Prince Takamatsu was in Europe at that time fulfilling two missions: to represent the Chrysanthemum Throne, and to honeymoon - he Pentagon has increased emphasis on the identity and just recently wed Princess Kikuko Tokugawa on February 4, 1930. treatment of this type of wound in hopes of reducing long- Princess Kikuko is seated to the Prince’s right. term problems which include memory loss, depression, 10. "...In return, Emperor Hirohito in the following year [1930] paranoia and mood swings. despatched one of his younger brothers, Prince Takamatsu, to Britain to convey his gratitude to King George...." As quoted in Japanese Monarcl~v: Past and Present, (http://eprints.lse. Currently, each of the services is developing proposals ac.uk/6874/1/Japanese_Monarchy_Past and Present.pdf) and clarifying guidelines for awarding the Purple 11."...FirstTakamatsumustperfonn an officialmission for theEmpemr, his Heart to those who suffer mild traumatic brain injury brother. Arriving in London on June 10, he would or concussions. The Army intends to make its policy be received by King George the following day and thus return the visit to Japan last May of Prince Henry, retroactive and it is thought that the other services will Duke of Gloucester, who invested Emperor Hirohito ~vith the Order of follow suit, opening the possibility that the number of the Garter...." The Mono’eal Gazette; page 3, February 5, 1930; awards of the Purple Heart will increase dramatically. found online at http ://news.google.com/newspapers?nid= 1946& The Military Order of the Purple Heart, which currently dat= 19300205&id=5m8tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JYwFAAAAIBAJ& has approximately 45,000 members, backs the services’ pg=6728,555415 (cun’ent as of April 14, 2010). 12. Probably around September 6, 1943 when his records list him effort to take a look at the guidelines for awarding the as "Waiting for Orders" and in the Reserves from September medal to mild cases of traumatic brain injury. 10, 1943. 13. On the reverse of the picture frame he wrote: From the Navy Times ~F, ff-~g~ N f~ [ Tenchousetsu tou-jitsu // Day ofthe Emperor’s Birthday] Submitted by W. A. Wooding ~;~J~N~-’~ ~2.