Japanese Army Tunic

[rob214]

Here's a Japanese Army Tunic I picked up a while back. Its made of cotton and has a stamp inside, not sure what it says. Shows some age, but no damage. Thanks for looking, Rob.

[ghp95134]

Can't see the depot name clearly in the 3rd column, but I'm guessing it's 大 for Osaka.

First column: 小 號 Small Size
2nd column: 昭和十九年 [1944] Shouwa 19 Year
3rd column: 大支検定 O-shi Kentei. Osaka branch inspected.

--Guy

[SHINDENKAI]

Hi Rob-san,

Nice EM, NCO summer tunic.

Translations from right to left:

小號 (Shou Gou) - Size small.

昭和十九年製 (Shouwa Jyuu-ku Nenn Sei) - 1944 Manufactured

Guy-san is right about the Osaka inspected stamping.

Regards,
Taka

Guy-san beat me by one minute, lol.

[ghp95134]

Hi Rob-san,
........

Guy-san beat me by one minute, lol.

(^______^)

--Guy

[rob214]

Thanks, guys! Rob.

[Rod]

As Guy and Taka say...

Officially, it's a third pattern tropical tunic.

Very nice! Belt loop is a must, too many seem to lack them.

Rod

[SHINDENKAI]

Hi Rob-san,

Does your tunic has these two characters stamped above outside the large mfg square?

三式 (San Siki) - Type three

If not it's a summer tunic (without specific term).

Regards,
Taka

[Rod]

Hi, Taka,

I'm not sure if you are responding to my post but for clarification I'll ust go ahead with this.

Tropical tunic, first pattern, vent openings under the arms, pleated patch breast pockets, no cover flaps over lower pockets.

Second pattern, same but with lower pocket cover flaps.

Third pattern, just like the Type 98 tunic (ie; no upper pocket pleats) except vented under the armpits and lacking collar closure hooks.

That's from Mike Hewitt's book Uniforms and Equipment of the...

Hope that helps.

Rod

[SHINDENKAI]

Hi Rod-san,

I just want to confirm if it's a Type Three.

Here in Japan, if there are no Type Three stamp, they are Summer Tunics 防夏衣(Bou Ka Gi).

I've seen few both examples that have or without belt loops, with underarm slit or without.

The Type 98s are easy to identify by the sizing system. 1~6
The Type Three and Summer Tunics are stamped Small, Medium, and Large.

Regards,
Taka

[Rod]

Hi Taka-san,

Thank you. I understand what you are asking now. It's good to have it explained to me. It would seem that the tropical distinction is more a western one than a Japanese one. I too will be interested in receiving an answer.

Best wishes, Rod