This time, I will introduce the Mosquito-Proof Gloves (防蚊手套, Bōbun Tetō), gloves intended to protect the hands from mosquito bites. In “Revisions to the Army Uniform and Equipment Regulations under Article 5 of the Army Uniform Regulations”1 and “Regarding the Regulations for Special Regional Clothing”2, they are written as “防蚊手袋” (Bōbun Tebukuro). A search of the Japan Center for Asian Historical Records returns results for both “手袋” and “手套”, so it appears that both spellings were used in official documents.
Avoiding mosquito bites was important for preventing infectious diseases such as malaria, but the Mosquito-Proof Gloves do not seem to have been a very comfortable piece of gear. The Yoshiyama Unit’s report “On the Dress of Mortar Crews in South China”3 states: “防蚊手套ハ暑苦シ白木綿製ニテ充分防蚊ノ目的ヲ達ス” (The Mosquito-Proof Gloves are stiflingly hot; ones made of white cotton serve the purpose of mosquito protection well enough).
Both pairs shown in the photo below are authentic. Even among authentic examples, there are individual differences in details such as the color of the fabric and the cords.
As shown in the photo below, the Mosquito-Proof Gloves allow the fingers to be exposed.
Shōwa 19 (1944) issue, Army Clothing Depot
The left and right gloves are tied together with a cord so that neither gets lost. Folding back the wrist section reveals an inspection stamp on the inside.
Shōwa 19 (1944) issue, Osaka Army Clothing Depot
The colors of the fabric and cord differ slightly, but the construction is exactly the same.
Additional Notes
The 1918 (Taishō 7) document “Clothing to Be Carried by Units Dispatched under Emergency Preparations”4 states: “出動部隊将校以下ニハ防蚊覆面、防蚊手套代用防寒手套ヲ貸与ス” (Officers and men of the dispatched units shall be issued Mosquito-Proof Face Covers, and Cold Weather Gloves as a substitute for Mosquito-Proof Gloves). The dispatch of 1918 refers to the Siberian Intervention. Mosquitoes tend to be associated with the southern regions, so this may come as a surprise, but Siberia is said to see huge swarms of mosquitoes in summer. It is an interesting story that Cold Weather Gloves were used as a substitute because there were not enough Mosquito-Proof Gloves.
Footnotes
- “Revising standards regarding clothing and accessories according to Army Uniform System, Article 5” JACAR (Japan Center for Asian Historical Records), Ref.C01001561600, Eizon Documents, Class A, Category 1, 1938 (National Institute for Defense Studies) ↩︎
- “Standard for outfit in specific region” JACAR (Japan Center for Asian Historical Records), Ref.C01001082500, Eizon Documents, Class A, Category 1, 1929 (National Institute for Defense Studies) ↩︎
- “5. About dress of trench mortar soldiers in South China (3) Others” JACAR (Japan Center for Asian Historical Records), Ref.C13031835800, Reference on the Use of Light Mortars in South China, October 1939 (National Institute for Defense Studies) ↩︎
- “Carry-on clothes of army unit to be dispatched in an emergency” JACAR (Japan Center for Asian Historical Records), Ref.C03010066500, Seimitsuju Dainikki, August 1918 (National Institute for Defense Studies) ↩︎
