IMPERIAL JAPANESE NAVY - ORDER OF THE GOLDEN KITE (Kinshi Kunsho)
The Order was instituted in 1890 and conferred for bravery, leadership or command in battle. There were seven grades as follows:
General and Flag officers: 1st - 3rd grade
Officers: 2nd - 4th grade
Junior officers: 3rd - 5th grade
Non-commissioned officers: 4th - 6th grade
Soldiers and Sailors: 5th - 7th grade
A total of 1,067,492 were awarded until its official abolition in 1947.
http://www.naval-history.net/WW2Meda...GoldenKite.htm