W.Unland

Here ia an Imperial Guard's cap. An obvious copy of a Prussian cap of the same era. Notice how "high" the cap sits as well as the small brim. [attachmentid=53582] Side view. [attachmentid=53583]

Here is a shot of the interior. These helmets were also used in the field but in a matt leather. I assume that as this one has a glossy lacquered finish it was intended for formal wear. [attachmentid=53570] More to follow. Thanks for looking, Bill Unland

Hello, I apologize to those who have seen these before, but to help get the new topic section going here are a few Meiji era army caps. First, a lacquered parade helmet from the beginning of the Japanese national army circa 1880's. [attachmentid=53567] Side view. [attachmentid=53566]

Thanks, Interesting. I remember specifically reading that the guy was arrested for selling an Order of Culture through his shop, and the paper said it was illegal to sell them. Perhaps it was a stolen medal. If you lived here you know that the information in the press is hardly to be trusted. Thanks for the info re: flea markets. Regards, W.Unland

Dear Paul, As you might have read I had an issued Great East Asia medal in my hands. It belonged to my sister-in-law's husband's father (I know a little hard to follow). He told me that as he was assigned to the naval headquarters at the end of the war he received the medal with the other staff grade officers just before the surrender. Of course talk is cheap but he was quite proud of it and I had no reason to disbelieve him. He was an IJN officer during the war, and was thrilled that I was interested in his history as his own family was only interested in his savings account balance. Unfortunately they tossed everything when he died, and I could never find out what happened to the medal, uniforms, dagger etc. Here are a few snap shots he gave me. [attachmentid=53436] You might recall the guy on e-bay a few years back that found 8-10 of the cherry front china medals in the backwoods somewhere. All without ribbons and most damaged in some way. I think he sold them all one after the other with the best fetching $900. He got greedy after that and dumped the others all and once and scared everyone that they were repro, but he eventually sold them. I am surprised you didn't pick one up. Also, if not a trade secret where do you find such rarities here in Japan? The only dealer that I have found with anything of note was a rather shady guy in Osaka, who I believe was arrested a few years back for selling an Order of Culture, which I guess is illegal to possess over here. Best regards, Bill Unland

Dear Paul, I just stumbled across this thread. My God man, those first two Meiji Constitution and Wedding medals are the holy grail of Japanese medals. I know the orders are more flashy but I have always loved the lowly commemoratives and service medals. I have been looking for those most of my adult life. I stand truely in awe. I hate to turn the conversation vulgar, but might I ask what those are worth these days were I ever to actuallyfind one for sale? Best regards, Bill Unland

Dear Paul, Thanks for the clarification. My Japanese has never gotten good enough to really understand the rules "first hand" and quite frankly the cops don't know. I have a lot of friends from patrolman through deputy director and none of them really seem to know much about the laws, I guess they do it different over here If you ever happen across another general's parade sword please keep me in mind. I know you are THE authority on medals and orders, never knew you collected cloth as well. We have talked before via e-mail regarding finding some breast badges for the general. Thanks again, Bill U

Thank you, I was a bit surprised that Japan gets rather slim billing here on the forum. I have some Meiji caps and helmet to show but I really don;'t know where to do so. Rest regards, Bill Unland

Dear Mr Haynes, Thank you for your concern, I should have been a bit clearer here as well as with the general's uniform posted earlier, this piece is representative of uniforms worn throughout the Japanese Imperial period, including the second world war. Although I believe this example to be earlier it is IDENTICAL to those worn during the AXIS period, so I believe its inclusion here to be valid.....................but once again, thanks for inquiring. Rehards, W.Unland

Dear Mr. Haynes, I assure you that this post meets the appropriate criteria for inclusion under this topic heading. I should have been a bit clearer. This particular example is presumed to be Taisho as I can't find the general's name on the WW2 lists, but I assure you that this exact uniform was worn by general officers throuout the war until 1945, so YES this post would be representative of an AXIS period uniform............but thanks for asking. Regards, W.Unland

Dear Paul, Weapons of ANY kind are strickly prohibited. Hotels have a copy of the sword control act in every room, just in case a yakusa shows up so that they can claim no knowledge if a gang fight breaks out Most of the murders over here are with kitchen knives and baseball bats. I have a can of pepper spray that I snuck into the country to keep around for house protection. My Japanese cop friends aren't really sure if it is legal or not. They tell me it is probably OK to have, but if I use it I could be in trouble. I told them I would rather face the judge than the nut case with a kitchen knife, but this is a strange land I live in Regards, Bill U

Hello, The weather over here is really tough on textiles. It is really hot and humid in the summer, and incredibly dry in the winter. That coupled with the moths that seem to get in everywhere and it is EXTREMELY difficult to keep my cloth in good order over here. The cotton thread holding the bullion gets really weak with age. A snag or tug will break it. It is really too bad but it would probably cost 10K to have this thing resewn, if I could find anyone capable of doing it. And even if I could find someone I don't have the money. I know the Takashimaya Department store still makes things like this for the royal family officials, but I doubt they will take "private" orders Regards, Bill Unland

Hello, These things are VERY difficult to find here in Japan. The Japanese themselves have NO interest in collecting or preserving these things. Most were "thrown out" after the war. I know my wife's sister's father in law used to wear his old imperial naval officer's uniforms to the old boys meetings, medals, dagger and all. He had the only original "great south asia war medals" I have ever seen, actually issued, not bought after the war. All those you see for sale were made and sold by Yasakuni shrine for the old boys in the 60's. When he died it all went in the trash before I had a chance to tell them NO DONT DO IT. Probably 10K out with the garbage. If you can find one of these ensembles in good shape over here it would be in the 4-5K range from a dealer. I know some pickers working off the military bases swear they find stuff cheap at flea markets and make a good living on ebay, but in 10 years living here I have never found a bargain. I don't know where they find stuff. Japanese items are cheaper in the USA than over here! As far as swords go, if the cops caught me with one I would go straight to jail. At best I could hope to be deported at worst a few years at hard labor. We "gaijin"(foreigners) are not to be trusted you see. Actually even for the Japanese they need a special license from the ministry of education to own swords. They were outlawed when Meiji began and the laws have never been changed. Only Yakusa and rich old men collectors own swords over here. Regards, Bill Unland

Lastly, a close-up of the detail on the front of the tunic. Unfortunately I am missing the vest that would be worn with this tunic. It would also have been worn with a stand collar and bow tie. [attachmentid=53275] Thanks for looking. Regards, William Unland

Next is a shot of the back, where the bullion work is also very impressive. [attachmentid=53273] A close up of the motif. [attachmentid=53274]

Hello, Although not strictly military, this series of photos illustrates the "court uniform" of a higher grade political official during the Japanese Imperial period. This particular example probably dates fro the Taisho period or earlier, and is of the type worn by prefectural governors and cabinet members when attending the emperor. The bullion work is incredible. Unfortunately over the years it has become very fragile, and this piece must be handled with great care to avoid further deterioration. Because of the rank, there can't be more than a few of these uniforms in private hands. The only other example I have seen is at the Meiji Shrine Museum in Tokyo. The size of this ensemble is tiny, probably would fit a modern elementary school boy. Obviously Japanese 100 years ago were considerably smaller. First an overall view. [attachmentid=53271] The next photo is a little closer to show the detail on the chapeau and the tunic. VERY heavy bullion work. [attachmentid=53272]

And lastly a 3/4 view to show the red striped trousers of a general officer. [attachmentid=53270] I really like these full dress uniforms. Quite impressive. This guy was quite large and rather heavy. Obviously rank has privilages and this guy didn't miss any meals! Thanks for looking, Bill Unland

A close-up of the medal bar, typical of a WW1 serving field grade officer. Not necessarily a general, but a field serving company grade officer. As with most high ranking officer's field awards were earned as young men. This tunic has loops for three breast badges which would have been earned as a general. Unfortunately the seller had sold off the high grade awards for the big bucks before selling the uniform, and they are missing, and with my income will probably remain missing . [attachmentid=53269]

A close up showing the general officer's "star" on the tassels of the dress sash/ belt cover. [attachmentid=53267] This photo shows the fine detail on the sash buckle. Very high quality befitting rank. [attachmentid=53268]

Next is a photo showing the difference in size between a general's shoulder boards and those of a company grade officer. The generals are HUGE. Once again, no doubt left as to whom is the more imprtant. [attachmentid=53265] Finally, here is an overview of the very rare general's dress sash in gold and red. These sashes were used to conceal the leather sword belt which was worn beneath. There is a buttoned flap on the tunic which went around the belt where the sword would be suspended to hold the weight of the sword. [attachmentid=53266]

The braid pattern was repeated on the cuffs as shown here. [attachmentid=53263] This next photo show the fine detail on a general officer's grade shoulder cord. [attachmentid=53264]

The next photo is a closer view of the sleeve braid. The number of braids denoted rank with the emperor wearing 7 strands, this example is a major general, who wore 5. This photo also demonstrates the proper wear of the shoulder cord. There is a "pocket" built into the shoulder seem that accepts the attachment tab of the cord itself. [attachmentid=53261] This photo shows the distinct pattern of a general officers collar braid. [attachmentid=53262]

Hello, I know these full dress uniforms seem to generate little interest in the collecting community. This example is presented to point out the peculiaities of a general officer's uniform as opposed to that of a lower ranked officer. Firstly an over view of the uniform. This example probably dates to the Taisho period, roughly WW1 era. That's a period print of this guys boss....Emperor Taisho, wearing exactly this type of uniform, and family on the wall behind him. The only thing missing is the sword belt and sword. Unfortunately as a "foreigner" I am not allowed to own swords over here in Japan! [attachmentid=53259] This next photo clearly shows the difference between a general officer's cap and that of a lesser rank. The cap itself is much taller and the feather is considerably more "full" and higher standing. No doubt who is more important here. [attachmentid=53260]

You gentlemen are all most kind in your comments. Thank you, Bill Unland

Dear Rick, The plume is a seperate piece with a rounded wire loop just like the kokarde. I found that its loop is just a bit smaller and just fits inside the kokarde's loop, and then they both slide into the slot, mated as it were. Regards, Bill Unland