Order of the Sacred Treasure (Zuihōshō) with a historical reference

Description:

Japan, Meiji period
H. 55 mm
Order of the Sacred Treasure, partially enameled, with original ribbon. The accompanying letter, dated Paris, August 10, 1903, informs the recipient, a French lieutenant colonel named Louis Eugene Auguste Arlabosse, of the transmission of the award diploma as well as a French translation of the certificate of decoration. The Japanese Legation states that the honour had previously been conferred by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan and requests the return of the signed acknowledgement of receipt.
From an old German diplomat's collection, assembled prior to 1920 - The Order of the Sacred Treasure was instituted in 1888 by Emperor Meiji and is considered one of Japan’s most important orders of merit. It was awarded to both Japanese and foreign recipients in recognition of distinguished service to the state, administration, science, the military, and international relations.The present ensemble documents the conferral of a Japanese order upon a French officer at the beginning of the 20th century and represents a significant testament to the diplomatic and military relations between Japan and Europe during the Meiji period.