Order of the Paulownia Flowers (and other awards) of French Marshal Joseph Joffre

Very rare document signed by Emperor Taisho.

Size 385 x 585 mm.

Awarded on January 17, 1917.
Order of the Paulownia Flowers No. 74 awarded to a foreigner.

Official French translation in the name of Monsieur le Maréchal Joffre.

 

Document for the 1st class Sacred Treasure order awarded to Joseph Joffre on August 23, 1913.

Size 395 x 590 mm.

Sacred Treasure order No. 3 244 awarded to a foreigner.

Signature of Emperor Taisho.

Official translation.

 

Joseph Jacques Césaire Joffre (12 January 1852 – 3 January 1931) was a French general who served as Commander-in-Chief of French forces on the Western Front from the start of World War I until the end of 1916. He is best known for regrouping the retreating allied armies to defeat the Germans at the strategically decisive First Battle of the Marne in September 1914.

His political position waned after unsuccessful offensives in 1915, the German attack on Verdun in 1916, and the disappointing results of the Anglo-French offensive on the Somme in 1916. At the end of 1916 he was promoted to Marshal of France, the first such elevation under the Third Republic, and moved to an advisory role, from which he quickly resigned. Later in the war he led an important mission to the United States.​

Rare photo of Joseph Joffre with Order of the Paulownia Flowers breast star (taken on 21 February 1922 during his visit to Korea and Japan).

 

Commemorative silver kobako decorated with enameled Japanese and French flags crossed.
Size 39 x 61 x 40 mm.
Weight 94.1 g.

Circa 1922.

Made in pure silver by Miyamoto Shoko/宮本商行/ https://asiamedals.info/threads/history-marks-and-badges-of-miyamoto-shoko.19512/