Butokukai Merit Badge.

[BTR]

Good day to all.
Whose exactly is the portrait depicted on the badge?

[ghp95134]

久邇宮邦彦王
Kuni-no-miya Kuniyoshi Ō
Imperial Prince Kuniyoshi

王 means king, so you'll see automatic translations use "king;" however, it is an archaic form for Prince. His title was Kuni-no-miya ... and miya is used for prince/princess. His royal name is Kuniyoshi; the Ō makes his name literally "Prince Kuniyoshi."

Prince Kuniyoshi was the 3rd president of the DNBK. The English Butokukai wiki does not include this info, so here's the Japanese Wiki and a google-translation of that page in English.

Interior Right:
表彰功勞　
Public Recognition of Meritorious Service/Deeds

Interior Left:
大日本武徳会総裁 大勲位功四級邦彦王
Prince Kuniyoshi, Chrysanthemum Collar and Golden Kite 4th Class
President,
Greater Japan Martial Virtue Society

I found the medal online and it is described as circa Meiji 45 [1912].
大日本武徳会総裁 大勲位功四級邦彦王 参等有功章
Dai Nippon Butokukai President, Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, Golden Kite 4th Class Prince Kuniyoshi // Order of Merit 3rd Class [??]

So I think the proper English word order would be [and Akira-san, please correct me!!]
3rd Class Order of Merit [this being the medal that was awarded .... I think]

Prince Kuniyoshi, Chrysanthemum Collar and Golden Kite 4th Class
President
Greater Japan Martial Virtue Society


Cheers,
-- Guy

[JapanX]

This badge was issued sometime between 1923 and 1929.

表彰功勞 Public Recognition of Meritorious Service/Deeds

Award for meritorious service/performance.

参等有功章 Order of Merit 3rd Class [??]

This is an official name of the badge: 3rd class meritorious service badge.

[BTR]

This is the box from him.

[BTR]

Manufacturer.

[JapanX]

This 3rd class badge was made by one of three main manufacturers of Butokukai badges.

Tokyo workshop Gyokuhō /東京玉寶堂/

Badges and watch fobs made by Gyokuhō workshop/東京玉宝堂 | Medals of Asia

[BTR]

Is the circulation of such awards known?

[JapanX]

No.

[ghp95134]

Gyokuhō /...玉寶堂/

Nick, you accidentally left off the last word in the name so I'm mentioning it for the others who may not know:

Gyokuhōdō


-- Guy

[JapanX]

Old style

東京 玉寶堂 謹製 - Tokyo Made by Gyokuhōdō /Gyokuhō - jewel, precious stone, gem; Dō - Shop/.

Modern style

東京 玉宝堂 謹製 - Tokyo Made by Gyokuhōdō