A prestigious bond of the Imperial Government of Japan: a Five Per Cent Loan Bond of 1,000 yen, issued in the 41st year of the Meiji era (1908) under the reign of Emperor Mutsuhito. This loan was placed in part on European markets (notably London and Antwerp, as attested by the Belgian "Bureau Officiel pour Action Buitengewoone Belasting" seals) to finance Japan's industrial and military ambitions after the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905). A bilingual Japanese/English document, magnificently engraved in navy blue on watermarked paper: on the front in Japanese, a portrait of the legendary ancient minister Takenouchi-no-Sukune (武内大臣), a mythical figure of imperial loyalty who served five emperors according to the Nihon Shoki — an image chosen to embody the soundness of Japanese debt. On the back, a complete English translation of the loan's 7 conditions: 5% annual interest paid in June and December by the Nippon Ginko (Bank of Japan), redeemable over 50 years, etc. Number 11988, Ko-Ih mark (甲以). "Second Renewal" and "First Renewal Coupons Delivered LONDON" stamps attesting to renewals of coupon sheets. A reference piece for Japanese scripophily, Meiji imperial history, and early-20th-century international sovereign debt.