Identification required - Japanese naval epaulette

**Fragman** · 10-11-2015, 05:25 PM

Hi Folks,

I'm looking for information on the attached epaulette.

Thanks

**Gunto** · 10-11-2015, 05:44 PM

For a captain.

**Geoff Ward** · 10-11-2015, 07:24 PM

Hello Gunto! Do you happen to know if the small gold stampings are the makers mark or what they mean? Regards,Geoff

Identification required - Japanese naval epaulette

**Gunto** · 10-11-2015, 07:26 PM

I think its the owners name.

The kanji is upside down

**Fragman** · 10-12-2015, 07:33 AM

Hi Folks,

Thanks for your help. Here's a close up of the writing. Thanks

**ghp95134** · 10-12-2015, 08:50 AM

Fragman,

The surname name is "Ukai" and is read from right to left. In modern writing convention the kanji would be reversed:

鵜飼

--Guy

**Fragman** · 10-12-2015, 11:28 AM

Hi folk. THANKS very much. That's great . An Internet search turns up a Captain Ken Ukai. He served at least part of the war in New Guinea. It looks like he was held after the war for war crimes, but released. Hopefully I'll be able to find out a little more about his early war activities. Cheers

**Nick Komiya** · 10-12-2015, 07:46 PM

You shouldn't jump to such conclusions without a full name, as that name is not particularly rare. Those boards were no longer in use already when the man you found became officer, so it can't be his. The epaulette design was used between 1914 and 1938.