Imperial Japanese Army uniforms tended to reflect the
uniform
A uniform is a variety of clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization's activity. Modern uniforms are most often worn by armed forces and paramilitary organizations such as police, emergency services, ...
s of those countries who were the principal advisors to the
Imperial Japanese Army
The was the official ground-based armed force of the Empire of Japan from 1868 to 1945. It was controlled by the Imperial Japanese Army General Staff Office and the Ministry of the Army, both of which were nominally subordinate to the Emperor o ...
at the time.
Early uniforms
1867 version
The tunic of the 1867 version uniform was blue.
Meiji 19 1886 version
![Onodera Makoto Uniform](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6f/Onodera_Makoto_Uniform.jpeg)
The Meiji 19 1886 version tunic was the dark blue, single-breasted, had a low standing collar and no pockets. It was worn with matching straight
trousers
Trousers (British English), slacks, or pants are an item of clothing worn from the waist to anywhere between the knees and the ankles, covering both legs separately (rather than with cloth extending across both legs as in robes, skirts, and ...
and a
kepi
The kepi ( ) is a cap with a flat circular top and a peak, or visor. In English, the term is a loanword of french: képi, itself a re-spelled version of the gsw, Käppi, a diminutive form of , meaning "cap". In Europe, this headgear is most ...
(red for
Imperial Guard
An imperial guard or palace guard is a special group of troops (or a member thereof) of an empire, typically closely associated directly with the Emperor or Empress. Usually these troops embody a more elite status than other imperial forces, i ...
) on which was worn a brass five point star. After the
Franco-Prussian War the kepi was replaced with a flat topped peaked cap and the tunic collar became higher. Pockets were added to officers' tunics late in its issue.
Infantry uniforms had red facings on tunic collars, shoulder straps and trouser stripes. Line infantry had yellow bands and piping on their caps while the infantry of the
Imperial Guard
An imperial guard or palace guard is a special group of troops (or a member thereof) of an empire, typically closely associated directly with the Emperor or Empress. Usually these troops embody a more elite status than other imperial forces, i ...
were distinguished by red. Trouser seams for both branches of the infantry had wide red stripes. Artillery had yellow facings on their dark blue uniforms. The branch colour for engineers was dark brown, green for medical and light blue for transport units. Finance, administration and other support services had white facings.
A dark blue
shako
A shako (, , or ) is a tall, cylindrical military cap, usually with a visor, and sometimes tapered at the top. It is usually adorned with an ornamental plate or badge on the front, metallic or otherwise; and often has a feather, plume (see hackle) ...
(red for Imperial Guard units) with a short white plume was worn for full dress. The ordinary duty and active service headdress was however a form of peaked cap with a narrow crown, somewhat resembling the French
kepi
The kepi ( ) is a cap with a flat circular top and a peak, or visor. In English, the term is a loanword of french: képi, itself a re-spelled version of the gsw, Käppi, a diminutive form of , meaning "cap". In Europe, this headgear is most ...
of the period.
A lightweight white cotton uniform was used for fatigue duties and tropical wear. In hot weather white trousers and cap covers were worn with the dark blue tunics. White canvas leggings were worn by non-mounted personnel with both white and blue uniforms until 1906.
Senior officers could wear a
longer, double-breasted version of the tunic in full dress. Other features included elaborate
Austrian knot
An Austrian knot (or Hungarian knot), alternatively warrior's knot or , is an elaborate design of twisted cord or lace worn as part of a dress uniform, usually on the lower sleeve. It is usually a distinction worn by officers; the major exceptio ...
s (gold braiding on the cuffs according to rank), waist sashes, gold shoulder cords and plumes on the dress kepi. For ordinary duties and active service officers of all ranks wore dark blue
dolman
The somewhat vaguely defined term dolman (from Turkish ''dolaman'' "robe" ) can refer to various types of clothing, all of which have sleeves and cover the top part of the body, and sometimes more. Originally, the term ''dolaman'' referred to ...
s braided in black. In 1904 this was replaced by a dark blue tunic of simpler pattern.
Cavalry regiments wore a short
attila jacket with transverse
hussar-style braiding in yellow (red for the cavalry of the Imperial Guard). Breeches were red. The cavalry branch colour was green and in 1905 this colour appeared on both collars and breeches stripes. As with the other branches of the Imperial Guard, the cavalry were distinguished by red bands and piping on their service caps. Red trousers were also worn by army bands and by the Military Police (''Kenpeitai'').
The dark blue uniform adopted under the 1886 Regulations was retained with only minor modifications until 1905. As such it was worn during the early months of the
Russo-Japanese War
The Russo-Japanese War ( ja, 日露戦争, Nichiro sensō, Japanese-Russian War; russian: Ру́сско-япóнская войнá, Rússko-yapónskaya voyná) was fought between the Empire of Japan and the Russian Empire during 1904 and 1 ...
. A khaki summer uniform had been introduced shortly before the outbreak of war and this became general issue for front line infantry during June–August 1904. Cavalry and artillery were subsequently issued with the new khaki uniform but some second line units continued to wear dark blue until the end of the War in September 1905. During the winter of 1904-05 the heavier blue uniforms were again worn but often under the loose fitting summer khaki drill for camouflage. The white canvas leggings continued to be worn without darkening, until after the war.
Following the Russo-Japanese War the Japanese Army adopted khaki for all occasions – the first major army to discard colourful parade dress. Only the cavalry squadrons of the Imperial Guard and officers of all branches were authorized to retain their coloured uniforms for certain ceremonial and social occasions, until 1939.
Khaki uniforms
1904 enlisted khaki uniform
This was basically a khaki cotton version of the 1886 uniform with a shorter jacket. First appearing as a fatigue dress in 1900, it was being issued as a hot-weather uniform in 1904 as there was an order to dye their white uniforms khaki. The practical advantages of khaki drill over dark blue became obvious in the opening stages of the Russo-Japanese War and it became general issue for troops on active service as stocks became available. In 1906 a khaki serge cold-weather uniform and greatcoat had also been adopted.
Meiji 38 (1906)
The Meiji 38 was introduced in 1906 as the first fully Khaki uniform for the army. This uniform looks very similar to the future Type 45 uniform however, the Meiji 38’s sleeve was cut with a true cuff while the 45 had a false cuff. In addition, the Meiji 38 was produced with Meiji 19 style buttons while the Type 45 would be produced with a newer type of brass button. The home service uniform was still produced in a blue color.
1911 (45 Shiki-Gun-i)
The 1911 or Type 45 uniform replaced the Meiji 38 uniform as a more refined version of the uniform. The T45 khaki colored version (called khaki in the west the colour was actually a yellowish-brown called
Ochre) of the blue uniform. The new flat topped peaked cap had a red band, the tunic collar had red swallow tailed
gorget patch
Gorget patches (collar tabs, collar patches) are an insignia in the form of paired patches of cloth or metal on the collar of a uniform ( gorget), used in the military and civil service in some countries. Collar tabs sign the military rank (group o ...
es and the shoulders had red shoulder bars (see photograph opposite) to indicate rank. The uniform was produced in wool for winter and cotton for summer wear.
Type Kai 45
The Type 45 was further updated in 1918 as the Type Kai 45. The term “Kai” was to denote that it was a modification of the original Type 45 uniform. It was a change in sizing measurements. It was later modified with a change in material and discarding of the red piping on the uniforms. In addition, inserts were added for shoulder ranks so soldiers didn’t have to sew ranks on and just switch out ranks for replacements or promotions. They were still being issued into the 1930s alongside the newer Type 5 uniforms.
Type 5
The Showa Type 5, also called the M90 or 2590 or 1930 uniform, was basically the Type 45 uniform but introduced internal breast pockets with scalloped pocket flaps on the tunic for all ranks. It also featured a seam on the back not present in the Type 45 uniform in order to save on material as well as being made to the newly adopted metric measurements rather than in the old system of measurement. Also the straight trousers were later replaced with
pantaloons which were worn with woolen spiral wound
puttees
A puttee (also spelled ''puttie'', adapted from the Hindi '' paṭṭī'', meaning "bandage") is a covering for the lower part of the leg from the ankle to the knee, alternatively known as: legwraps, leg bindings, winingas, or Wickelbänder. The ...
and tapes.
M98 (98 Shiki-Gun-i)
![WW2 Japanese Army Uniforms Newsmap Vol No US Government National Archives Unrestricted Public domain 26-nm-2-42 002 cropped](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/WW2_Japanese_Army_Uniforms_Newsmap_Vol_No_US_Government_National_Archives_Unrestricted_Public_domain_26-nm-2-42_002_cropped.jpg)
The M98 (1938) was a further modification of the M90 uniform. The single breasted tunic (98 Shiki-Gun-i) had a stand and fall collar, five buttons which ran down the front and two, or more usually, four internal pockets with scalloped flaps (depending on the manufacturer). Long trousers or pantaloons (Bousyo-ko) were worn as standard along with the puttees (Kya-han) and tapes. All except mounted troops (who wore breeches and high leather boots) wore this uniform with horsehide, pigskin or leather ankle-boots. The boots (amiage-gutu) had either a hobnailed hard leather sole with metal heel J-cleat or a rubber sole with rubber cleats. When off duty, soldiers could wear
tabi
are traditional Japanese socks worn with thonged footwear such as zori, dating back to the 15th century.
History
Japanese are usually understood today to be a kind of split-toed sock that is not meant to be worn alone outdoors, much like r ...
s. A collarless wool or cotton white, grey or light green under shirt (Bousho Jyu-han) was worn under the tunic. This had one or two patch breast pockets with buttoned flaps, most had only a single pocket on the left breast. A khaki cotton shirt with stand and fall collar and two breast pockets could be worn in warm climates, with or without the tunic. The flat-topped peaked cap was replaced by a cloth field cap (Sen-bou) with a short leather or (more usually) cloth peak. Originally produced in khaki it was later produced in various shades of green ranging from grey-green to a dark green. The cap was more of a peaked
sidecap and could be worn with a neck flap (Bou-tare), hooked to the bottom for sun protection, made from four cloth rectangles.
Type 3 (3 Shiki-Gun-i)
![WW II IJA captain's uniform](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/WW_II_IJA_captain%27s_uniform.JPG)
The Type 3 was introduced in 1943 and was similar to the Type 98 but was made of cheaper materials. Type 3 uniforms for enlisted men also consisted of only 3 size options compared to the 6 size options for the Type 98. Type 3 trousers were also cut lower down the waist and the fastening hook was replaced with a button top instead. It also reintroduced cuff insignias for officers consisting of 1, 2, or 3 stripes of dark-brown braid on or above the cuff to indicate company, field, or general officers' grades respectively. It was produced in various shades of green. Officers could wear the uniform tunic open over a white or light green shirt with or without a black or green tie.
Officers' uniforms
![Falkenhorst onodera morath fjell festning 1943 triple 28 cm triple naval gun gneisenau](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/Falkenhorst_onodera_morath_fjell_festning_1943_triple_28_cm_triple_naval_gun_gneisenau.jpg)
Officers were not usually issued uniforms so they had to procure their own, thus there was a wide variety in the details, colour and texture of their uniforms, with uniform colours ranging from tan (this case is modified Older Uniform. its started after Showa 13 rules(昭和13年制式) era) to dark green. Collars were taller and stiffer and materials were of a higher quality. Senior officers could procure and wear a double-breasted version of the blue and M90 uniforms. All ranks wore a single breasted version of the M98. Officers could wear straight trousers with their M98 uniforms as a walking out uniform and later they could also wear the tunic with the collar open over a white or grey green shirt.
Headgear
Service hat
![The regulation cap of IJA](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d7/The_regulation_cap_of_IJA.JPG)
The service cap was the main cap of the Japanese army from the 1880s all the way into the 1930s. The 1886 or Meiji 19 model was featured the dark blue crown and colored band depending on the branch. Such as standard infantry received yellow bands and Imperial Guard with red bands. The Type 45 olive service cap is a peaked cap similar in shape to that of the United States Army but with a smaller flatter crown and shorter visor. Red piping runs along the outer edge of the crown and the headband has a 1 1/2 inch wide red felt band. At the front of the red band is a gold star. The Imperial Guard service hat has a semicircular wreath of leaves below the star. The visor and chin strap are of black leather in standard military design.
Field cap
The Sen-bou is a cloth field cap with a short leather or (more usually) cloth peak. Originally produced in khaki it was later produced in various shades of green ranging from grey-green to a dark green. The cap was more of a peaked sidecap and could be worn with a neck flap (Bou-tare), hooked to the bottom for sun protection, made from four cloth rectangles
Additionally, there was an “Ersatz” cap introduced in the 30’s made of felt and they were mostly seen being used in China. They fell out of use in to the 40’s.
Metal helmets
*Adrian helmet – As with many countries, the IJA adopted and produced the French ''
Adrian helmet''. The IJA version of the Adrian was a one piece helmet unlike that of the French version. In addition, the IJA Adrian featured tie chin straps similar to samurai kabuto fasteners. Later versions featured the star insignia in front of the helmet. It also featured a star shaped vent on the top of the helmet.
*"Sakura" helmet – A further improvement of the IJA Adrian. It featured a
Sakura shaped vent cover on top of the vent holes above the helmet in order to prevent water and dirt from leaking into the helmet onto the soldiers' heads.
*Type 90 – The Adrian helmet was later replaced by a Japanese designed helmet called the Type 90 (1930). It was officially called ''tetsubo'' (steel cap) but was called ''tetsukabuto'' ("steel helmet") by troops. It was made in the shape of a dome with a short protruding rim all the way around it (the paratroop version only had a short brim in the front). This helmet was made of a thin inferior chrome-
molybdenum steel with many proving to be very fragile, being easily pierced by shrapnel and/or gunfire. A star (or anchor for the IJN) was
solder
Solder (; NA: ) is a fusible metal alloy used to create a permanent bond between metal workpieces. Solder is melted in order to wet the parts of the joint, where it adheres to and connects the pieces after cooling. Metals or alloys suitable ...
ed to the front and the helmet and star were painted mustard khaki. They were sometimes whitewashed in the winter. A
tan
Tan or TAN may refer to:
Businesses and organisations
* Black and Tans, a nickname for British special constables during the Irish War of Independence. By extension "Tans" can now also colloquially refer to English or British people in general, es ...
,
khaki
The color khaki (, ) is a light shade of tan with a slight yellowish tinge.
Khaki has been used by many armies around the world for uniforms and equipment, particularly in arid or desert regions, where it provides camouflage relative to sandy ...
or
olive-green
Olive is a dark yellowish-green color, like that of unripe or green olives.
As a color word in the English language, it appears in late Middle English. Shaded toward gray, it becomes olive drab.
Variations
Olivine
Olivine is the typical ...
two layer, fiber reinforced linen cover was available with a yellow star sewn on the front. The helmet was secured to the head by an elaborate set of straps descended from those of the
Kabuto
' (兜, 冑) is a type of helmet first used by ancient Japanese warriors which, in later periods, became an important part of the traditional Japanese armour worn by the samurai class and their retainers in feudal Japan.
Note that in the Ja ...
''
samurai
were the hereditary military nobility and officer caste of medieval and early-modern Japan from the late 12th century until their abolition in 1876. They were the well-paid retainers of the '' daimyo'' (the great feudal landholders). They h ...
'' helmet. It was also able to be worn over a reversed field cap. Camouflage nets were widely worn over the helmet especially in the Southern theatre and Pacific island campaign.
Tropical helmets
![Kyokujitsuki](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/Kyokujitsuki.jpg)
The IJA issues two types of
tropical helmets to its troops:
** Type 90 – It had a metal ventilator at the top, a couple of ventilation eyelets on either side and a brown leather chinstrap.
** Type 92 – This was a cork version of the Type 92 steel helmet. It was covered with six segments of cloth, and several versions were available. It was issued to all ranks. Officers usually wore a white cover on theirs.
Other items
Clothing
The IJA issued single-breasted
cloak
A cloak is a type of loose garment worn over clothing, mostly but not always as outerwear for outdoor wear, serving the same purpose as an overcoat, protecting the wearer from the weather. It may form part of a uniform. Cloaks have been and ...
s,
over coat
An overcoat is a type of long coat intended to be worn as the outermost garment, which usually extends below the knee. Overcoats are most commonly used in winter when warmth is more important.
They are sometimes confused with or referred to as ...
s,
cape
A cape is a clothing accessory or a sleeveless outer garment which drapes the wearer's back, arms, and chest, and connects at the neck.
History
Capes were common in medieval Europe, especially when combined with a hood in the chaperon. Th ...
s and
raincoat
A raincoat is a waterproof or water-resistant garment worn on the upper body to shield the wearer from rain. The term rain jacket is sometimes used to refer to raincoats with long sleeves that are waist-length. A rain jacket may be combined with ...
s with hoods in khaki.
[https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/Japan/IJA/HB/img/hb-11-1.jpg (U.S.) War Department TM-E30-480. Handbook on Japanese Military Forces, 15 September 1944, Chapter XI, Uniforms, Personal Equipment, and Insignia]
* Jyuban/Underwear – Jyuban are a part of the soldier's uniform as they were to be worn under the soldier's tunic and trousers. Jyuban were worn under the standard uniform as part of army regulation. White cotton jyuban were initially issued but then when a light-khaki (tan) was adopted, they were adapted as a work uniform. An olive-green version of the white fatigues was issued late in the Pacific War. An anti-heat jyuban was adopted and featured 3/4 sleeves and a collar.
* Bousyo-i/Tropical – The tropical cotton uniform, a design similar to the M98, was initially available in tan or light khaki, but was superseded later in the Pacific War by versions in medium to dark green. It featured open collars, buttoned side-vent flaps below the armpits, and pleated patch or internal pockets with flaps. Trousers could be full-length, 3/4 length, or a loose fitting
breeches
Breeches ( ) are an article of clothing covering the body from the waist down, with separate coverings for each leg, usually stopping just below the knee, though in some cases reaching to the ankles. Formerly a standard item of Western men's c ...
style
pantaloon. Troops in the Pacific islands usually wore knee-length shorts with a lightweight cotton shirt which had three front buttons, 3/4-length sleeves and patch breast-pockets with flaps. Officers wore a short- or long-sleeved lightweight white (or off-white) tropical shirt with the green trousers, and when they wore the green tropical tunic they usually wore the shirt collar outside and over the tunic collar.
* Kessenfuku (決戦服/戦時服 (Decisive battle uniform) – Introduced in 1945 the kessenfuku was meant for use defending the home islands if and when invaded. It consisted of a waist-length jacket with two hidden slash breast pockets, and two internal pockets with flaps. It also had a fold-down collar and reinforced elbows. Cheaper materials were used in fabrication with many variations in material and color. Both winter and summer weight variants were produced.
*
Imperial Guard
An imperial guard or palace guard is a special group of troops (or a member thereof) of an empire, typically closely associated directly with the Emperor or Empress. Usually these troops embody a more elite status than other imperial forces, i ...
– Until 1939 the Cavalry of the Imperial Guard wore a French-style parade uniform consisting of a dark-blue
tunic
A tunic is a garment for the body, usually simple in style, reaching from the shoulders to a length somewhere between the hips and the knees. The name derives from the Latin ''tunica'', the basic garment worn by both men and women in Ancient Rome ...
with red
Brandenburg braiding, a red
kepi
The kepi ( ) is a cap with a flat circular top and a peak, or visor. In English, the term is a loanword of french: képi, itself a re-spelled version of the gsw, Käppi, a diminutive form of , meaning "cap". In Europe, this headgear is most ...
and red
breeches
Breeches ( ) are an article of clothing covering the body from the waist down, with separate coverings for each leg, usually stopping just below the knee, though in some cases reaching to the ankles. Formerly a standard item of Western men's c ...
. The red kepi had a white
plume with a red base. Off-duty members wore a dark blue tunic with 5 rows of black mohair froggings and dark blue breeches with a red stripe down each seam. Prior to the general adoption of khaki by the Japanese Army after the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–1905, an all-white
linen uniform had been worn in hot weather. The Infantry of the Imperial Guard wore a dark blue uniform with white leggings for both parade and service wear until 1905. It was distinguished from that of the line infantry by a red band and piping on the peaked service-cap (instead of yellow). Following the adoption of a khaki service-dress the Guard Infantry wore this on all occasions. In the field the army's basic uniform was worn. It was worn with either a
chrysanthemum or a star in a wreath.
Accessories
* ''
Senninbari'' were red-sash 1,000 stitch belts worn around the waist of uniforms. They were supposed to bring good luck, confer courage, and make the wearer immune to bullets.
* ''
Hachimaki
A is a Japanese headband, usually made of red or white cloth, typically featuring a design of kanji at the front. It is worn as a symbol of effort or courage by the wearer, especially by those in the military, or to simply keep sweat off one' ...
'' (鉢巻) is a stylized
headband
A headband is a clothing accessory worn in the hair or around the forehead, usually to hold hair away from the face or eyes. Headbands generally consist of a loop of elastic material or a horseshoe-shaped piece of flexible plastic or metal. T ...
(
bandana) in
Japanese culture, usually made of red or white cloth, and worn as a symbol of
perseverance
Perseverance may refer to:
Behaviour
* Psychological resilience
* Perseverance of the saints, a Protestant Christian teaching
* Assurance (theology)
Geography
* Perseverance, Queensland, a locality in Australia
* Perseverance Island, Seychelles
...
or effort by the wearer.
* ''
Shin guntō'' – The shin guntō (新軍刀?, "New Army Sword") was a weapon and badge of rank used by the Imperial Japanese Army between 1935 and 1945.
See also
*
Ranks of the Imperial Japanese Army
The Ranks of the Imperial Japanese Army were the rank insignia of the Imperial Japanese Army, used from its creation in 1868, until its dissolution in 1945 following the Surrender of Japan in World War II.
The officer rank names were used for ...
References
* "Uniforms and Equipment of the Imperial Japanese Army in World War 2" by Mike Hewitt
* "Imperial Japanese Army and Navy Uniforms and Equipment" by Tadao Nakata and Thomas B. Nelson
* "Imperial Japanese Army and Navy Uniforms and Equipments" by Lionel Leventhal Limited
* "
War Department War Department may refer to:
* War Department (United Kingdom)
* United States Department of War (1789–1947)
See also
* War Office, a former department of the British Government
* Ministry of defence
* Ministry of War
* Ministry of Defence
* D ...
Technical Manual
Technical communication is used to convey scientific, engineering, or other technical information. Individuals in a variety of contexts and with varied professional credentials engage in technical communication. Some individuals are designated as ...
-Enemy
TM-E 30-480 Handbook On Japanese Military Forces, dated 15 September 1944"
* "Japanese Military Uniforms 1841–1929" by Ritta Nakanishi
* "Japanese Military Uniforms 1930–1945" by Ritta Nakanishi
* "The Japanese Army 1931–45" by Philip Jowett
* "The Russo-Japanese War 1904–05" by A Ivanov and P Jowett
* "JAN#1 Joint Army-Navy Publication: Uniforms and Insignia"
External links
{{commons category, Uniforms of the Imperial Japanese Army
Imperial Japanese Army 3rd Platoon reenactor's resource
Imperial Japanese Army
Military uniforms