Twenty-Fifth Wedding Anniversary Medal

Twenty-Fifth Wedding Anniversary Medal , 1894, Meiji period (1868–1912)

Where object was made: Japan

Material/technique: casting; silver; silk

Credit line: William Bridges Thayer Memorial

Accession number: 1928.2967.a,b

Not on display

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This silver medal was created to commemorate the 25th wedding anniversary of the Japanese Emperor Meiji (r. 1868–-1912) and Empress Shoken (r. 1869–-1912). After learning of the “silver wedding” anniversary celebrations of foreign royalty, the emperor allowed a similar event to be held in Japan for the first time. Attendees could buy these medals and were given lifelong permission to wear them. The symbols on the medal, including wisteria branches, bestow good fortune and health to the imperial couple. Many medals were passed on to recipients’ descendants and act as reminders of imperial good -wishes, ancestral connections, and a special national celebration.