First a brief self-introduction since I'm new to this forum.  I'm an American, but for 26 years I was a professor at a small private university on the island of Shikoku.  During this time I picked up a number of military items along with other antiques in small shops.  I'm now back visiting for a month and stopped by one of my favorite small antique shops in the southern city of Kochi. 

 

The rank insignia corresponds to captain ( " taii").  The tunic is obviously custom tailored of superior materials...and is in virtually perfect condition.  It is quilted as Allan mentioned for his tunic.  The lining used (not seen in these photos) is also high quality and to my eye looks representative of the 1930-40s.  The officer's name is embroidered on a tag on the inside.  I was told how to read it, but have forgotten.  I'll ask a friend. 

 

There are a couple of curiosities about this tunic.  First, I also can't specifically identify the color of the division "M" strip.  It may have faded over time.  Also it doesn't have the khaki outline often seen.  Instead the M is stitched directly onto the tunic.  And below that is what I can only guess is a unit designation:  Naka or Chu 82.  I haven't been able to find any information about this unit.

 

Above the left pocket there are several threads for hanging decorations. 

 

Another mystery for me is the rather large "snaps" on the back of the collar.  What would they attach to?  They would seem quite uncomfortable to me.  The enlisted man's summer tunic I have does not have these snaps.

 

The tunic came with a pair of Jodhpur-style riding pants.  Overall, the uniform seems larger than some of the enlisted uniforms I have bought in the past.  I would say this officer was as least average size and average height. 

 

 

First off, welcome aboard.

 

You have a very nice custom tailored Japanese Army officer style uniform.  The tailor has stitched the quilting pattern in the lining in contrasting thread showing a mum motif.  He has done this to show the quality of his work.  

 

The branch squiggle above the right breast pocket is extra quality for the officer rather than the standard item of issue branch "M".  These were largely discontinued during the war and it does look faded.  I think you are right thinking the patch below it is a unit designation.  

 

The "snaps" inside the collar are for the attachment of a white celluloid collar that could be changed daily.  Sometimes these buttons can also be found in the cuffs serving the same purpose.  Check my summer Military Police tunic shown on this thread for a similar setup.

 

 

Thanks for the speedy reply!  I had guessed the snaps might be related to a collar since all photos show this type of tunic work with a bit of white collar sticking out.  I had heard of replaceable paper collars (or starched collars) but never celluloid. 

 

If you had to guess about the division, what would you say?   I'd sure like to find some information about the unit patch.  I haven't seen those on other tunics.  The university I worked at is located in Zentsuji, Kagawa and there is a Jeitai base there with a small military museum.  I wonder if someone there might be able to answer this question. 

 

I'll post a few more detailed photos of the tunic and pants when I get a chance.  I got a great deal on the price for the tunic and pants both because I'm a repeat customer and due to the current dollar/yen exchange rate (150 yen to the dollar).  Here's the story:  When I went back to the shop after being gone for a year, I asked the older gentleman who owns the shop if he still remembered me.  He did and was pleased to see me.  I looked around the shop and eventually focused my attention on the uniform.  It looked very nice but I had to ask the price.  He quoted me 40,000 yen (about $266) because it was such fine quality.   I agreed, but said it was a bit too much for me and counter-offered with 30,000 yen (about $200).  He asked if I would be returning to Kochi and I told him that unfortunately, probably not.  After a moment or two, he agree to 30,000 yen adding that it was "omiyage" (a "gift").   I was very pleased...and I think he was too.  

 

Eventually, I'll also get around to posting photos of the various decorations and medals I acquired including (boxed) 5th and 6th class of the Golden Kite. 

I've just found a website for "Imperial Mixed Brigades" that includes a 82.  It is listed as part of the Japanese 20th Army which took part in the Second Sino-Japanese War.  The 82 brigade is listed as serving in Zhuzhou, China.  I wonder if the 中 kanji designates brigades that served in China, since the Japanese word for China is 中國 (chuu-koku = middle country).

 

Imperial Mixed Brigades

 

Japanese 20th Army

Another question I have is about the rank insignia.  Most online charts show red and yellow, instead of the red and olive green on this uniform.   Allan's uniform also has the red and olive green insignia.

 

After looking at the division color chart again (and finding another instance of a similar color on eBay) I think mine might be of the "intendence" department, which is a British term for "administrative."  That would make since given the brigade's roll in China and the condition of the uniform.

Such a beautiful uniform!

 

My guess is that the owner of this uniform is an "【経理科】Accountant" service.

Perhaps the color has faded with age.

 

The badge is a type called a "【隊号章】unit and number badge".

Here, "【中】Chu" means "【中部】Chūbu region", not "【中国】China".

In other words, he belongs to "【中部軍管区】Central District Army" or the headquarters that took over from this headquarters.

 

The numbers are sequential numbers for large units, so they are different from the numbers that name individual units.

Therefore, I was unable to identify the actual unit using the documents I have.

6 hours ago, Mr. Bushido said:

 

 

Thank you for your response and this helpful information.  Are the 隊号章 patches common?  I'm far from an expert, but I haven't seem them before. 

 

Would accountant service fall under the intendence department?  BTW, I think the officer's name was Tanioka, but I'm not sure.  Even Japanese can have difficulty reading these old style stylistic kanji. 

 

 

This type of 隊号章 patch is commonly sewn onto uniforms, though not all do.

To briefly explain the background, when IJA uniforms changed from stand-up collars to turn-down collars, the display of the numbers became unnecessary.

After this change, the position of the patch moved to the chest, and wearing it was left to the discretion of the unit commander.

 

Furthermore, accountant service officers generally worked on tasks such as procuring military supplies and paying salaries.

He probably graduated from an accounting school called "【陸軍経理学校】Rikugun-Keiri-gakkou", not a regular military academy.

 

Lastly, although it is difficult to tell due to the kanji's writing style, I believe the name is "【谷岡】Tanioka" as you pointed out.

The shape of the second kanji character does not seem to match, but please refer to the URL below.

 

https://4ndex.com/name/word/10-oka.html

One of my past students said the second kanji was "oka" and sent me this screen shot from some app that identifies this style of writing.  However, she was unsure about the first kanji and thought that might be "ima" and that "Imaoka" is a fairly common family name.  The shopkeeper told me and he seemed quite certain.  I just wish I had paid more attention! 🤔  Somehow "Tanioka" rings more of a bell than "Imaoka."

 

Also when did the collar rank insignia change from red and yellow to red and olive?

 

 

I too find it difficult to identify the name.

However, I get the impression that it is Tanioka.

I think the four letters lined up above the “谷” in the third image your student showed are the type of letters embroidered on your jacket.

 

Could you please explain more specifically about the question about the color of the rank insignia?

To me it looks like a regular collar insignia established in 1938.

Whenever I search the web for images of IJA ranks, I always find that the images show patches with red and yellow, like the one below.  But the insignia on my tunic and the ones on Allan's tunic are red and olive green.  I assume this change happened in some particular year, but don't know when.  Where the yellow and red rank insignia used prior to 1938?

 

 

In reality, for officers, the yellow parts in the illustration are gold.

 

The bullion in your jacket has tarnished over time, giving the impression that it is a different color.

Ah!  I see what you mean now! Thanks for clearing that up.  Looking at this close-up crop, can see something of the original gold color.  And I also think I'm seeing evidence of two stars having been replaced with three due to a promotion. 

 

 

It's interesting to see the traces of the change from 1st lieutenant to captain!

 

Usually, the metal stars are attached parallel to the gold line.

But in this case it's parallel to the jacket or the ground.

 

Perhaps that's what happened when he replaced stars.

Well, now.  After reading in several other threads about things you guys found in pockets, I went through all the pockets of my tunic and turned up a ribbon bar!  Wahoo!

 

Nothing spectacular, but a nice find non-the-less.  From left to right:  Order of the Sacred Treasure (probably a lower class award), Showa Enthronement Commemorative Medal, Red Cross Medal.  (I already have each of these decorations.)

 

I haven't seen a Japanese ribbon bar before so the side with the pin was actually more interesting to me.  Anyway, this will make a nice addition to the tunic and adds a bit more backstory to the officer who wore it.  Given that the Showa emperor was enthroned in 1926, I'd guess that puts this officer in his 40s, by the time of the war. 

 

 

 

4 minutes ago, abufletcher said:

Well, now.  After reading in several other threads about things you guys found in pockets, I went through all the pockets of my tunic and turned up a ribbon bar!  Wahoo!

 

Nothing spectacular, but a nice find non-the-less.  From left to right:  Order of the Sacred Treasure (probably a lower class award), Showa Enthronement Commemorative Medal, Red Cross Medal.  (I already have each of these decorations.)

 

I haven't seen a Japanese ribbon bar before so the side with the pin was actually more interesting to me.  Anyway, this will make a nice addition to the tunic and adds a bit more backstory to the officer who wore it.  Given that the Showa emperor was enthroned in 1926, I'd guess that puts this officer in his 40s, by the time of the war. 

 

 

 

Nice tunic, I have found all kinds of goodies in pockets and behind sweatbands over the years.

 

 

                  Bill

Another small question.  The threads for the ribbon bar include three small vertical loops (one of the left, two on the right) and one long horizontal thread.  What's the purpose of the horizontal thread?

 

 

The purpose of the thread is probably to secure the medal in place.

 

For more formal ceremonies, it can be used to secure a medal like the one in the photo.

The single thread seems too weak to support a full metal and it seems to have no purpose for the ribbon bar.

You're right about the thread being thin.

 

But I've seen a few similar examples, though I can't say for sure.