Rarest Japanese Army badge we have ever found

[vintageproductions]

So this is a badge I worked on for many years in Japan to buy.

 

For most Japanese collectors they have heard of Mr Mori's shop in Tokyo.

 

Behind his desk was a large frame of proficiency badges and this one sat in that frame for years. Every time I would visit his store I would ask how much for this badge and he would just laugh and say no. One day we were all joking around and Mori was in a great mood so I asked our translator to ask him once more and that he should just put a price that he thinks I would not buy it at. Well he quoted a price and I said " Okay, I will take it". He looked dejected and I said never mind, he should keep it. He said No, I obviously wanted it for myself, and he sold it to me. The next trip I asked about something else in the frame, and he started laughing and said "No, he would never quote another price on anything in that frame........". A few years later he graciously sold us the whole frame of badges. Mori was a really cool old guy, and every trip to Japan I miss seeing him. RIP.....

 

Now, onto this badge. It is a 1920's Japanese Mountain Warfare badge. It was a small class / unit that was trained by a French unit in cold weather fighting. Have not seen another one.

 

 

[Proud Kraut]

I always had a penchant for mountain warfare insignia. This one is uber-cool, thanks for sharing!

[Eric Queen]

Must be extremely rare. I like the design also. Do you know if this was included in either of Nakata's books?

[vintageproductions]

I don't believe it is in any book.