This medal commemorates the expedition against Formosa (part of the Chinese Empire at the time) in 1874 by 3000 Japanese samurai in retaliation for the murder of some Japanese sailors by natives from Formosa.

The medal was established in 10 April 1875. It is round, of 25 mm. in diameter and made in silver. IN the observe there are two sprays of pawlonia encircling four seal characters "jugukinsho" (war medal). At the reverse there is the inscription "Meiji 7th year" and "First year of the dog" (of the ancient zodiac calendar).

The suspension is made by a swivel grip with an ornamented silver supender that has a silver bar attached with the characters "Tai Wan" engraved.

We realize in this medal that the Japanese were inspired by the British in the design of their medals: the bar has lugs with holes to accommodate addtional bars, just in the English way.

Ribbon is 36 mm. wide, unwatered silk, white with 5 mm. green edges.