Soshu Workshop - Collection guide for novice enthusiasts of Imperial Japanese Army uniforms and gears.

How to modify a cushion-style rank insignia into pin badges?

I will introduce a method for modifying the officially designated rank insignia known as "Zabuton" (cushion/座布団), which was standardized in 1938 (Showa 13), into pin badges. When enjoying various military uniforms of different ranks, it can be quite cumbersome to sew on rank insignias onto the collars every time. Not only is it inconvenient, but repeatedly threading the needle can also cause damage to the rank insignias themselves. While enthusiasts might not approve, feel free to give it a try as it won't be noticeable at a glance. You can create it through crafting using only adhesive without the need…

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December 4th, 2023

How to Collect Imperial Japanese Army Infantry Equipment (Intermediate)

I'd like to explain how to collect the basic infantry equipment for an Imperial Japanese Army soldier. Trying to assemble a complete uniform from the start can be quite challenging. Therefore, I'll provide guidance on what to collect, prioritizing items, over several installments. PriorityStandardBeginnerCollecting a military uniform.IntermediateCollecting official military-issued gears.AdvancedCollecting full kit In this intermediate section, I will introduce the equipment that was left out in the beginner's section due to budget considerations. By completing the intermediate section, you'll have most of the essential items for a Japanese Army infantryman's basic uniform. Once you can pull off this look, you'll…

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November 30th, 2023

Clothing / Field Gears / For Beginners / Uniforms

How to Collect Imperial Japanese Army Infantry Equipment (Beginner)

I'd like to explain how to collect the basic infantry equipment for an Imperial Japanese Army soldier. Trying to assemble a complete uniform from the start can be quite challenging. Therefore, I'll provide guidance on what to collect, prioritizing items, over several installments. PriorityStandardBeginnerCollecting a military uniform.IntermediateCollecting official military-issued gears.AdvancedCollecting full kit In this beginner's guide, our goal is to make you look like a Japanese soldier. By mastering the equipment in this article, you can confidently participate in regular airsoft games, especially those with a loosely regulated World War II theme. The veterans on the field will likely welcome…

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October 21st, 2023

Clothing / Uniforms

Field Cap

One of the essential items of clothing for Imperial Japanese Army soldiers when assembling their military attire is the Field Cap (Ryaku-bō/略帽). Particularly during the Greater East Asia War period, decorative military caps disappeared from the battlefield, and soldiers began to wear field caps. In the Japanese military, the field cap was not only worn outdoors but also served as an undercap when wearing a steel helmet, making it an essential item, second only to the military uniform. During the process of establishing this field cap, various prototypes of field caps in different shapes were developed and actually tested by…

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October 7th, 2023

Clothing / Field Gears

Bandage Kit and Medical Kit

In the previous article, I introduced attire example of Imperial Japanese Army medic. Here, I would like to take a closer look at the Bandage Kit (Hōtai-nō/包帯嚢) and the Medical Kit (Iryō-nō/医療嚢) that were carried by Japanese Army medics, while referring to primary sources and more. Recipient of the Kit The brown leather bags used during the Greater East Asia War period, including the Bandage Kit and Medical Kit , were standardized in Meiji 40 (1907) after the Japanese-Russo War, and they are referred to as the Type 40 Bandage Kit (Yonju-nen-shiki Hōtai-nō/四十年式包帯嚢) and the Type 40 Medical Kit (Yonju-nen-shiki…

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September 29th, 2023

Example of Attire

Medic (Tropics 2/3 Sleeves Shirt)

Overview This is an example of the attire worn by Army medic wearing a Tropics 2/3 Sleeves Shirt (Bōsho-juban/防暑襦袢). Also, wearing the Type 98 Summer Trousers on the lower half. A medic in tTopics 2/3 Sleeves Shirt (front view)A medic in tTopics 2/3 Sleeves Shirt (rear view) Imperial Japanese Army's tropical clothing includes three types: Tropics Tunic (Bōsho-i/防暑衣) :It has a jacket-like shape that can be worn with an open collar, and it also has ventilation holes on the sides. Tropics Half Shirt (Bōsho-ryakui/防暑略衣) :It has a shape similar to a short-sleeved open-collar shirt. Tropics 2/3 Sleeves Shirt (Bōsho-juban/防暑襦袢) :It…

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September 24th, 2023

Clothing / For Beginners / Uniforms

Consideration Regarding Type 98 Summer Tunic

In order to dress in the military attire of the Imperial Japanese Army during the Greater East Asian War period, there are primarily three types of uniforms: Showa 5 (1930) design the Showa 5 Military Tunic and Trousers (Shōgo-shiki Gun-i-ko/昭五式軍衣袴) Showa 13 (1938, 2598 in the Imperial calendar) design the Type 98 Military Tunic and Trousers (Kyūhachi-shiki Gun-i-ko/九八式軍衣袴) Showa 18 (1943, 2603 in the Imperial calendar) design the Type 3 Military Tunic and Trousers (San-shiki Gun-i-ko/三式軍衣袴) There are also variations such as tropical uniforms for hot climates (Bōsho-i-ko/防暑衣袴) and wartime-issue uniforms (Decisive Battle Uniforms), but this analysis will primarily focus…

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September 23rd, 2023