A discount Pair of Silver and White Metal Japanese Badges, 1940s, Post War, Historical Interest

Here we have two Japanese pins or badges. The pair were bought from the same collection and are being sold together. As I'm sure they're from the same source, I don't think they should be split up now.

The first pin is a genuine and touching piece of history. Dating to soon after the end of the Second World War, it features the Japanese and American flags with the legend "WELCOMING OUR GUESTS FROM AMERICA: CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: YOKOHAMA". The reverse features the monogram "YCC". The original red and white ribbon is still in very good condition. There is some minor fraying to one edge.

The rear of the pin is marked "SAMURAI SHOKAI" "YOKOHOMA". The company was created by Yozo Nomura in 1894 and Nomura rebuilt Yokohama's Grand Hotel after the earthquake of 1923. This was to be the temporary headquarters of General MacArthur in 1945 and Nomura welcomed the General on the steps of the hotel when the Americans arrived (with MacArthur famously mistaking Nomura for the hotel manager). Samurai Shokai (Trading Company) produced pieces in precious metals but this pin is unmarked. As such, it is being sold as white metal although it does appear to be silver.

Below is the story of Nomura's meetings with MacArthur. It is highly likely that this pin dates to those meetings.

From Terry's Guide to the Japanese Empire:

An old established trustworthy house with one of the finest collections of curios and art objects in Japan. Recognised by antiquarians and art connoisseurs as headquarters for many of the beautiful products for which Japan is celebrated. The showrooms, filled with choice Japanese, Chinese and Korean carved furniture, porcelains, ivories, bronzes, brasses, silver pieces, damascene work, gold lacquer, mother-of-pearl inlays, tea-sets, chests, screens, brocades, silks, diamond, pearl, jade and other jewelry, etc., etc., rank among the city's most interesting sights. English is spoken in all the departments. Prices are marked in plain figures, and there are no misrepresentations. Purveyors to the Imperial Japanese Household, and to the chief Museums of the world. Wholesale and retail. Manufacturers and exporters. Mail orders a specialty. Recommended.

Three years after these words were published, this repository of Japanese art was burned to the ground in the Great Kanto Earthquake, but Nomura managed to rebuild his company and thrive. Nomura, whose wife was a Christian activist (he himself was Buddhist), made it his mission to introduce Japanese art and culture to the world. He was a well-travelled man and for example visited Hawaii annually where he met members of the influential Cooke family, good customers of Samurai Shokai. The Honolulu Academy of Arts to this day owns many pieces supplied to the Cookes by Nomura. Later, Nomura would also become the owner of the New Grand Hotel in Yokohama.

When on August 30, 1945, General MacArthur spent his very first night in Japan at the New Grand, he was welcomed by Nomura, then already 75 years old. In discount spite of his old age and the many hardships he must have endured during WWII (Yokohama was almost completely destroyed by US air raids), he was still a master at treating an important customer.

In The Fall of Japan, William Craig describes MacArthur's first meeting with Nomura:

At the door of the New Grand Hotel, Yozo Nomura, an elderly Japanese dressed in a morning coat, waited nervously for the Supreme Allied Commander. When MacArthur arrived, he bowed and welcomed him. The General asked “How long have you been the manager of the hotel?” Nomura hastened to correct him. “I am not a manager. I am the owner. Welcome. I wish to offer my respects to you. During your stay, we'll do our very best to service you and I hope you'll like the room I'm going to show you.”

MacArthur repaid Nomura's courtesy by showing much trust and insisting that his food was not pre-tasted. As recalled in Maihafer's Brave decisions, it was a compliment that Nomura took to heart:

That evening at the New Grand Hotel, MacArthur was served a steak dinner. As he started to eat, Whitney put a hand on his arm. “Better have someone taste that food, General. There's a good chance it may be poisoned.”

MacArthur just laughed. “This is a good steak, and I don't intend to share it with anyone!”

The hotel staff had also expected MacArthur to request a precautionary tasting.
When he did not, Yozo Nomura, the hotel owner, came to the table to express gratitude for this expression of “great trust,” saying he and his employees were “honored beyond belief.”

The second pin shows a red flame within a blue diamond, in enamel, on sterling silver. There are no further details on this pin but it certainly has a Japanese feel and I am sure the two pins began their lives together.