Authentic - Soshu Workshop

Type 98 Sun Hat (Late Model)

This time, I'm comparing the late model of the Type 98 Sun Hat with the HIKISHOP replica. The authentic Type 98 Sun Hats occasionally appear on Yahoo Auctions, usually trading for around 30,000 to 50,000 yen. The Type 98 Sun Hat has early and late models. The version established in 1930 (Showa 5)1 featured a metal star insignia and had ventilation holes at the top and on both sides. The one I'm introducing this time is the Sun Hat revised in 1941 (Showa 16)2, where the metal star insignia was replaced with a woven yellow star, and the ventilation holes…

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September 9th, 2024

Clothing / Field Gears

Red Cross Patch

I have obtained an authentic Red Cross Patch that medics and military nurses wore on their left arm. The easiest replica of the Red Cross Patch to obtain is the one from HIKISHOP. In this article, I would like to summarize the evolution of the Red Cross Patch and provide a comparison between an authentic Red Cross Patch and the HIKISHOP replica. The Evolution of the Red Cross Armband Meiji 41 (1908) Established Red Cross Patch According to historical documents from the Japan Center for Asian Historical Records, the details of the Red Cross Patch were officially standardized in 1908…

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August 25th, 2024

Clothing / Uniforms

Comparison of the Authentic and Replica Tanker Overalls

I would like to compare the authentic and replica Tanker Overalls worn by tank crew and mechanics of the Imperial Japanese Army. Incidentally, the correct Japanese term for Tanker Overalls is "Daini-shu Sagyou-iko" (第二種作業衣袴), Type 2 Workwear. Since childhood, I have been interested in tank models and developed an interest in the Imperial Japanese Army. During my university years, I wrote my graduation thesis on the production of Japanese Army tanks. As a result, I have a particular affinity for the gear of tank crew members. As part of this interest, I have also collected Tanker Overalls. My authentic Tanker…

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May 22nd, 2024

Clothing / Field Gears / For Beginners

The shape of the HIKISHOP-made Type 90 Steel Helmet

Recently, I acquired a authentic Type 90 Steel Helmet shell. Lately, the market price for authentic Type 90 Steel Helmets has significantly risen, with clean ones equipped with liners fetching over ¥50,000 on Yahoo! Japan Auctions. What I acquired this time was just the helmet shell, missing items like the star-shaped pin to secure the liner. However, I managed to obtain it for less than ¥10,000, including shipping. Despite some rust, the photos in the listing made it seem worse than it actually was, but upon inspection, the original paint was still intact, making it a decent purchase overall. The…

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April 12th, 2024

Personal Belongings

Good Luck Flag

I would like to introduce the signed Japanese flag, known as the Good Luck Flag in English, and other related items that I acquired at the antique market. I purchased them at an auction specifically for dealers who have a license for dealing in antiques. We Japanese call it Shussei-Bata/出征旗, which means Deployment Flag. Enemy soldiers primarily obtained these flags from Japanese corpses or POW, so calling them "Good Luck Flag" feels rather ironic. In countries other than Japan, writing on the national flag can be perceived as a disrespectful act towards the flag. Therefore, it might seem strange to…

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February 10th, 2024

Clothing / Field Gears

Type 97 Sniper Rifle Scope Case

In my private collection, I have carrying cases (Shūyō-nō/収容嚢) for the Type 97 Sniper Scope (Kyūnana-shiki Sogeki Gankyō/九七式狙撃眼鏡), designed for the Type 97 sniper rifle (Kyūnana-shiki Sogeki Jū/九七式狙撃銃). As a matter of fact, I have two of them. It's not a standard piece of equipment, and originally, I had planned to introduce it at a later time. However, due to a recent opportunity, I've decided to pass one of them on to an acquaintance. With that in mind, I thought it would be a good idea to compare the two carrying cases for the sake of record-keeping, leading me to…

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January 16th, 2024

Clothing / Uniforms

S&Graf-manufactured Type 98 Summer Tunic Modification

In a previous article discussing replicas of the Type 98 Summer Tunic, I introduced S&Graf's products. While the fabric texture and overall silhouette are good, there are some disappointing aspects, making it a bit hesitant to wear as is. Therefore, I decided to create a modification by drafting a pattern from the authentic item, and I will share the details in this article. The process involved painstakingly undoing stitches and sewing anew, which took a considerable amount of time. However, the result is quite satisfying, significantly improving the overall condition. Comparison with the Authentic Item From left to right: the…

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January 4th, 2024