Rank help for a japanese Officer needed ...

[Christian L]

Hello all,

i'm quiet sure, that this is a japanese Uniform - though i'm quiet unsure about the rank insignia (Rank and Branch) - help is much appreciated!

Thanks in advance Christian

[Paul L Murphy]

The rank badge would make him a staff sergeant if this is a Japanese uniform, however the branch badges on the collar are not Japanese. Do you have a photo of the uniform in its entirity ?

[Christian L]

Thanks!

unfortunately the only other pic i have so far is this one (sadly not larger in size)

[Paul L Murphy]

Definitely not Japanese. This is most likely a warlord era Chinese uniform but I am not sure which particular period or group. The medals are not Japanese, they appear to be Chinese but it is too small to identify them clearly.

[Christian L]

hm ... strange ...

could the first decoration be a striped tiger (due to the pendand of the order)?

so, chinese warlords "addoped" japanese uniformstyle?

[Paul L Murphy]

The uniform style was not Japanese, it was copied by them from the uniform style in use in Europe and US at the time. The rank markings are similar to Japanese badges but the use of stars and bars on a coloured cloth background was not unique to Japan in Asia.