Currently under construction.
Store pages now open.
Store pages now open.
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
soldier posing
with jukendo
(bayonet
practice)
equipment
A postcard showing women and girls sewing senninbari at a train station
Latest update: July 15, 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.
I have begun to add text to the pages. It will take time, but
someday each page will have some text.
STORE PAGES ARE HERE!!
Although I only have a few items at the moment, more are
coming. Click on the links below.
STORE page 1
STORE page 2
STORE page 3
STORE page 4
STORE page 5
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.
I have begun to add text to the pages. It will take time, but
someday each page will have some text.
STORE PAGES ARE HERE!!
Although I only have a few items at the moment, more are
coming. Click on the links below.
STORE page 1
STORE page 2
STORE page 3
STORE page 4
STORE page 5
A schoolgirl feeling patriotic. Circa 1930s
I also sell on ebay.
CLICK HERE to see these auctions.
CLICK HERE to see these auctions.
| I am a licensed antique dealer here in Japan, and this site has been registered and approved. Here is the information that is required to be posted by Japanese law: Licensed by: Fukuoka-ken Koan I-in-kai License Number: 909990040523 Licensee: Richard Catalano |
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| An extremely rare Anti-semitic story card collection. The title is 'The Jewish Conspiracy.' It was published in 1943 and has 21 full-color cards. SEE THEM ALL BY CLICKING HERE. |
A poster for skin medicine. Circa 1930s
Meiji-era photo?
Here is a Youtube
video with me
talking about
signed war flags.
Part one of three.
video with me
talking about
signed war flags.
Part one of three.
| Also visit my sister site: IMPERIAL JAPAN SAKE CUPS |