1933 Imperial Japanese Army Veterans Commemorative Paperweight Loyalty Japan For Sale

Original 1933 Imperial Japanese Army Veterans’ Gathering Commemorative Paperweight

A rare prewar cast metal paperweight issued for the Army Commemoration Day (March 10, Showa 8 / 1933) in Gunma Prefecture, Japan.

This item was distributed to participants of the Veterans’ Invitational Ceremony (Jūgunsha Shōtai Taikai) — a formal event honoring former Imperial Army servicemen.

The front design features the kanji 忠 (Loyalty) and 誠 (Sincerity), along with symbolic motifs:

• Dragonfly (勇気 / courage and vigilance, an Imperial Army symbol)
• Anchor (Navy symbol)
• Star (Army symbol)
• Chrysanthemum-like crest (imperial motif)

The reverse reads:

“Imperial Japanese Army Commemoration – Veterans Invitational – Gunma Prefecture – March 10, 1933”

It represents the interwar period unity of Army and Navy under the Emperor, and served as a patriotic token of loyalty and remembrance for those who had served in the Empire’s earlier campaigns.

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Details

• Date: Showa 8 (1933)
• Material: cast metal (iron or bronze alloy)
• Diameter: approx. 7.4 cm
• Condition: Very good for age. Minor patina and wear due to age.
• Origin: Gunma Prefecture, Japan

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Historical Background

March 10 was designated as “Army Commemoration Day” (陸軍記念日) in prewar Japan, marking the victory in the 1905 Battle of Mukden during the Russo-Japanese War.

Local veterans’ groups and prefectural associations held annual gatherings to honor war heroes and reaffirm national loyalty.

This paperweight was a souvenir presented to attending veterans — an authentic artifact of Japan’s early Showa militarist culture.

Fedex or Japan post

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