Currently under construction.
Store pages coming in spring 2008
Store pages coming in spring 2008
This site will attempt to document some of the vast array of
military-themed items that were made in Japan, mostly
during the so-called war years, 1894-1945. During those
years, the country of Japan was in the throes of what John
Dower called 'War Victory disease', the great euphoria that
overcomes the populace after military successes.
In Japan's case, this happened after the first Sino-Japan
War of 1894-5 and continued up to the end of WW2.
Throughout these years many objects were emblazoned
with military designs and decorations. Almost any object you
can think of had these patriotic themes. Here is a brief and
incomplete list:
Mirrors, ashtrays, kimono, whistles, kites, board games,
curtains, trays, tea cups, plates, bowls, silverware,
paperweights, boxes, photographs, statues, children's
banks, cigarette cases, postcards, plaques, etc. The list
goes on.
The things I will describe on this site will be the
afore-mentioned items. Things that will not appear much on
this site are official uniforms and weapons. I think that there
is a lot of information elsewhere about these. I will try to
include photos of the various medals and awards, though,
since there doesn't seem to be a lot of good photos on the
Internet.
I would also like to include items taken by soldiers to the
battlefield that weren't official issue, for example, signed
flags and senninbari (1000 stitch belts).
Even so, as I add pages to this site, I am realizing that there
is often a hazy line between items made for the military and
those made for civilians. They overlap a lot, so you will
probably see quite a few military things on this site, too.
I will have a few items for sale. These will be on the Store
pages. All other items are not for sale.
military-themed items that were made in Japan, mostly
during the so-called war years, 1894-1945. During those
years, the country of Japan was in the throes of what John
Dower called 'War Victory disease', the great euphoria that
overcomes the populace after military successes.
In Japan's case, this happened after the first Sino-Japan
War of 1894-5 and continued up to the end of WW2.
Throughout these years many objects were emblazoned
with military designs and decorations. Almost any object you
can think of had these patriotic themes. Here is a brief and
incomplete list:
Mirrors, ashtrays, kimono, whistles, kites, board games,
curtains, trays, tea cups, plates, bowls, silverware,
paperweights, boxes, photographs, statues, children's
banks, cigarette cases, postcards, plaques, etc. The list
goes on.
The things I will describe on this site will be the
afore-mentioned items. Things that will not appear much on
this site are official uniforms and weapons. I think that there
is a lot of information elsewhere about these. I will try to
include photos of the various medals and awards, though,
since there doesn't seem to be a lot of good photos on the
Internet.
I would also like to include items taken by soldiers to the
battlefield that weren't official issue, for example, signed
flags and senninbari (1000 stitch belts).
Even so, as I add pages to this site, I am realizing that there
is often a hazy line between items made for the military and
those made for civilians. They overlap a lot, so you will
probably see quite a few military things on this site, too.
I will have a few items for sale. These will be on the Store
pages. All other items are not for sale.
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A Navy whistle
A Japanese soldier posing with
jukendo (bayonet practice) equipment
jukendo (bayonet practice) equipment
A postcard commemorating military maneuvers held in Tokyo, 1921
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Latest update: May 12, 2008
Progress on this site is going a bit slower than I had
expected. I still have lots of pages and photos to add, so
please check back periodically.
When I open the Store pages, I will announce it on this front
page. I'd like to get some more photo pages done first,
though.
Progress on this site is going a bit slower than I had
expected. I still have lots of pages and photos to add, so
please check back periodically.
When I open the Store pages, I will announce it on this front
page. I'd like to get some more photo pages done first,
though.
A schoolgirl feeling patriotic. Circa 1930s
See some of my online auctions here:
I also sell on ebay.
CLICK HERE to see these auctions.
CLICK HERE to see these auctions.