With the release of the repro sakura style helmet, and our unit’s own gravitation towards Pre-Sino-Japanese War impressions we decided to delve in a bit to see the viability of a Manchurian Incident to the Battle of Rehe kit (1931-33). Most of the base uniform and equipment were available before and not much different from our Siberian Expedition (1919-1925) impression. However, there was another significant challenge present with the common arctic clothing worn by all of the units deployed.
Perhaps the most notable item was the goat fur jerkin which seems to have greater popularity than the traditional Meiji 45 system overcoat. There are currently no readily available repros and extent examples are as rare as one would imagine. Luckily, JACAR has digitized the full document for us! [1]Head of Japanese Army Uniform Depot. Y. M. (1910, February 14). Investigation of the Improvement of Cold Weather Uniform Items. JACAR Reference No. C03022335500. … Continue reading
Based on images, the Meiji 42 revision model was the likely candidate for our search. Official Adoption date was May in the year Meiji 37, with first models shipped in October of the same year. The Meiji 42 model provided some minor tweaks and quality of life improvements (notably the inclusion of pockets). Additional suggested improvements were tested in Taisho 5 with the vest used into the 1930s.
Material Construction
Rare repro Meiji 37 style jerkin showcasing the material color common to many of the Russo-Japanese War summer uniforms. Note the side ties and buttons and slit at the bottom of the vest to allow easier access to trouser pockets. This model also lacks chest pockets.
One of the biggest complaints about the jerkin was the smell the goat fur had after being washed, a common issue across all armies that utilized goat or sheep jerkins at the turn of the century.
Pictures are an original Taisho 8 experimental model. Many cold weather and arctic gear experiments were conducted to streamline the equipment and offer a standardized uniform for the Japanese Army in extreme environments. We were lucky enough to find images of this original dated from Showa 9, showing just how far many of these redundant models continued production.
Most of the lessons from the jerkin and other overcoats lead to the detachable sleeve arctic coat that is commonly seen in the Second Sino-Japanese War. Theoretically this model replaced three different cold weather models, including the jerkin, but given supply and production fluxuations, the Japanese Army was always reintroducing out-modded equipment.
References
| ↑1 | Head of Japanese Army Uniform Depot. Y. M. (1910, February 14). Investigation of the Improvement of Cold Weather Uniform Items. JACAR Reference No. C03022335500. https://www.jacar.archives.go.jp/aj/meta/listPhoto?LANG=default&BID=F2006083122005011766&ID=M2006083122012011836&REFCODE=C03022335500 |
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