Dog tag help

[mvmhm]

This dog tag is coming my way....any thoughts as to authenticity?  Also, a translation would be helpful - other than numbers, I'm lousy at deciphering kanji. The reverse is blank.

 

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

 

Mark sends

[Mr. Bushido]

The characters are as follows.

①歩　二三八
②ソ
③番　九五

 

① indicates "Infantry" and "238", which is presumed to be the regiment number.

② It is pronounced "So", but it is unclear what it means. Usually, the character in this position indicates a battalion or company, etc.

③ It indicates "No.95", which is presumed to be an ID number.

 

There are many variations in how dog tags for this type of NCO are filled out, so there may be errors

[mvmhm]

Thanks for translation and fast response - I appreciate it!

 

Mark sends

[Rod]

Mr. Bushido correctly assessed the tag as 238th Infantry Regiment, unknown designation in the centre column and Soldier #95 within his company.

 

To expand on that, the 238th Infantry Regiment was part of the 41st Division which was activated in Utsunomiya, Japan in 1939. Fought in China until late-1942 when it was transferred to New Guinea where it was destroyed. 

 

This tag shows the literal (hohei 歩兵 - infantry) 歩238 which dates it to before mid-1941 when the tsushogo system of code names and dates was introduced to every unit in the Imperial Japanese Army. Latterly, the 238th I.R. would have been (Kawa) 河3565.