VINTAGE 1964 TOKYO OLYMPICS PARTICIPATION MEDAL TARO OKAMOTO BOXED BRONZE JAPAN!
A superb vintage TOKYO 1964 SUMMER OLYMPICS PARTICIPATION MEDAL, presented in its original-style wooden box and associated with celebrated Japanese artist:
TARO OKAMOTO
This substantial medal was produced for participants connected with the:
GAMES OF THE XVIII OLYMPIAD
TOKYO 1964
and features a bold modernist sporting design characteristic of post-war Japanese graphic and sculptural art.
A highly collectable piece of Olympic memorabilia with strong design, sporting and Japanese cultural appeal.
Please note that the WOODEN BOX HAS DAMAGE / HOLES TO THE TOP, clearly shown in the photographs.
Details
Event: Games of the XVIII Olympiad
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Date: 1964
Type: Olympic Participation Medal
Designer – Obverse: Taro Okamoto
Reverse Design: Commonly credited to Kazumitsu Tanaka
Material: Bronze / Copper Alloy
Diameter: Approx. 61 mm
Weight: Approx. 118–120 grams, subject to actual measurement
Presentation: Wooden Box
Please refer to the photographs for the exact weight, diameter, patina and condition.
Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games
The 1964 TOKYO SUMMER OLYMPICS were a landmark event in modern sporting history.
They were the first Olympic Games to be held in Asia and represented an important moment in Japan’s post-war international re-emergence.
The Games took place in October 1964 and became renowned for their modern architecture, graphic design, technology and exceptionally strong visual identity.
Participation Medal
Participation medals were produced for athletes, officials and other accredited participants in the Olympic Games.
Unlike competition medals awarded for first, second or third place, these pieces served as commemorative souvenirs of involvement in the Games.
Today they are collected as important pieces of:
OLYMPIC HISTORY
SPORTING MEMORABILIA
20TH-CENTURY DESIGN
and are especially desirable when retained with their presentation boxes.
Taro Okamoto
The medal’s obverse is associated with:
TARO OKAMOTO
one of Japan’s most important 20th-century artists.
Okamoto became known for his powerful modernist and avant-garde imagery and later created the famous:
TOWER OF THE SUN
for Expo ’70 in Osaka.
His work combines:
ABSTRACTION
MOVEMENT
ENERGY
BOLD SYMBOLISM
all of which can be seen in the highly stylised athletic imagery of this Olympic medal.
Athletic Design
The obverse features dynamic sporting figures, generally interpreted as including:
RUNNERS
A SWIMMER
OLIVE / PALM-STYLE FOLIAGE
The composition captures movement and athleticism through simplified, modernist forms rather than traditional realistic modelling.
This gives the medal a distinctly:
MID-CENTURY MODERN / JAPANESE MODERNIST
appearance.
Reverse
The reverse incorporates the Olympic identity of the Games, including:
OLYMPIC RINGS
and wording relating to:
XVIII OLYMPIAD
TOKYO 1964
forming a strong visual record of one of the most important Olympic Games of the 20th century.
Bronze / Copper Alloy
Published references describe these medals variously as:
BRONZE
COPPER
COPPER ALLOY
often with a dark green or brown patinated finish.
For accuracy, this example is described as:
BRONZE / COPPER ALLOY
unless specialist analysis confirms the exact composition.
Original Wooden Box
The medal is accompanied by a:
WOODEN PRESENTATION / STORAGE BOX
which adds considerably to the collector appeal.
However, please note carefully that the box has visible:
HOLES / DAMAGE TO THE TOP SURFACE
as clearly shown in the photographs.
IMPORTANT BOX CONDITION
Please note before bidding:
THE TOP OF THE WOODEN BOX HAS VISIBLE HOLES / DAMAGE
This is clearly photographed and forms part of the condition.
There may additionally be:
SCRATCHES
MARKS
EDGE WEAR
SURFACE LOSSES
HINGE WEAR
AGE-RELATED PATINATION
to the box.
Please study all photographs carefully.
Collector Appeal
This piece should appeal to collectors of:
Tokyo 1964 Olympics
Olympic Participation Medals
Taro Okamoto
Japanese Modern Art
Olympic Memorabilia
Mid-Century Design
Japanese Sporting History
Vintage Sports Medals
1960s Collectables
Boxed Olympic Medals
Highlights
TOKYO 1964 SUMMER OLYMPICS
PARTICIPATION MEDAL
TARO OKAMOTO DESIGN
BRONZE / COPPER ALLOY
Approx. 61 mm diameter
Substantial approx. 118–120 gram format
Modernist athletic design
Olympic rings and Tokyo 1964 legend
WOODEN PRESENTATION BOX
Strong Japanese mid-century design appeal
Important Olympic collectable
Condition & Attribution
The medal is in honest vintage condition with wear and patination consistent with age.
Please inspect the photographs carefully for any:
SURFACE MARKS
PATINA VARIATION
EDGE KNOCKS
RUBBING TO HIGH POINTS
MINOR SCRATCHES
GENERAL AGE-RELATED WEAR
The box has more notable condition issues, including:
VISIBLE HOLES / DAMAGE TO THE TOP
as shown.
The medal is described as bronze / copper alloy because published references vary in terminology.
The obverse design is associated with Taro Okamoto, while the reverse is commonly credited to Kazumitsu Tanaka.
This is a participation medal, not a first-, second- or third-place Olympic winner’s medal.
🖼️ Item Condition:
This item is in honest vintage condition. The medal shows age-related wear and patination, while the wooden box has visible holes / damage to the top as clearly shown in the photographs.
I’ve included detailed photographs to show the condition, size, weight and box damage, so please review them carefully before placing your bid.
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