The Type 5 Canteen was used by non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army. Contemporary primary sources refer to it as the “New Model Canteen.” While the older tokkuri-shaped canteen had a capacity of 0.6 liters, the Type 5 Canteen was designed to hold 1 liter.

It is said that variations in the stopper and strap cord were distinguished using terms such as Kō (甲), Otsu (乙), and Hei (丙), or alternatively, I-gō (伊号), Ro-gō (呂号), and Ha-gō (波号). However, I have not been able to locate any original historical sources that explicitly describe these classifications.

The minor specification changes in the Type 5 Canteen are believed to have been influenced by resource conservation efforts and material shortages. It is likely that such small differences were not meticulously distinguished in the field.

In this article, I would like to introduce the detailed transitions of the Type 5 Canteen while showcasing several canteens from my collection. I have labeled each canteen as “Early Model,” “Mid Model,” etc., based on their shape; however, I would like to clarify that these classifications are merely for identification purposes and were assigned at my own discretion.

Early Model

First, let’s take a look at the initial version from when it was first established. Including the detail of Type 5 Canteen, the Clothing and Equipment called Type 5 can be found in the “Regulations on the Standardization of Clothing and Equipment”¹ issued in Shōwa 5. This document contains numerous illustrations, making it an interesting historical source to browse through.

In its original specification, the stopper was secured with a leather cord, and the strap featured an iron buckle. The stopper itself came in both wooden and cork variations.

Below is a replica from HIKISHOP, with the canteen body repainted by me. I painted it before acquiring an authentic one, so the color is slightly off. Regarding the buckle on the strap, the original had a rust-preventive primer-like coating, giving it a more subdued, matte finish. In contrast, HIKISHOP’s buckle appears to have a slightly stronger reddish tint.

Below is an authentic strap for the Type 5 Canteen. It is actually quite intricately made, and as shown in the first photo, the width of each strap varies slightly. In contrast, the HIKISHOP strap is made entirely of 25mm-wide webbing, which means the buckles are actually larger than those on the original.

For canteens in poor condition, the buckles’ rust can corrode the strap to the point of breaking. Because of this, early-model straps in good condition are quite rare. My strap has some areas where corrosion has progressed, but there are still parts where the original primer remains.

If left as is, the strap itself may eventually deteriorate due to corrosion. Therefore, I am considering completely disassembling it to remove the rust from the buckles and reproducing the parts that have already been damaged.

Below is a comparison of canteen bodies. The first image shows the HIKISHOP replica, while the second image features an authentic one. In the third image, I have lined up multiple authentic canteens for comparison. When viewed side by side, you can see that each has slight variations in shape, indicating that there were multiple variations of the authentic Type 5 Canteen bodies.

Incidentally, the HIKISHOP canteen has a dent in the middle from being shot with an airsoft gun. Since they dent easily when hit, I highly recommend using a replica for airsoft games.

Mid Model

The next type I will introduce features a change where the leather stopper cord was replaced with a cotton cord to secure the stopper. According to historical records, this revision was implemented on November 2, Shōwa 16². The document states that the cotton flat cord replaced the leather stopper cord and that the buckle and small rectangular loop can be omitted.

The authentic example shown below has a rubber stopper, but I have also seen simplified versions of the strap paired with wooden or cork stoppers. This suggests that the stoppers were likely used based on available stock at the time.

Additionally, the buckle on the strap was changed to aluminum. A minor detail worth noting is that the strap width was standardized to 22mm across all sections.

Late Model

Here is an even further simplified version. All metal components have been removed from the strap.

Final Model

I don’t have an authentic example to show, but there is a further simplified version where the strap is tied in a cross shape around the canteen body. When searching for a Type 5 Canteen on Amazon or Rakuten, you’ll often come across replicas of this version. However, the straps and buckles on these replicas have a modern appearance, which feels somewhat off.

Since this late model was used in limited situations, it may not be the best choice for general use. If you’re looking to purchase a replica, I recommend those from HIKISHOP or S&Graf.

Reissued Canteen

This is the canteen that my grandfather used. He was drafted around 1945 at the age of 19 and was still in training on the Japanese mainland when the war ended.

At first glance, this canteen resembles the older tokkuri-style model, but upon closer inspection, its shape is slightly different. It may have been a repurposed civilian canteen or something similar.

The strap was originally from an early model Type 5 Canteen but was modified. If you look closely, you can see traces of stitching in a rectangular shape, indicating where it was altered. In the final stages of the war, non-standard equipment like this seems to have been used as well.

Insulated Canteen Cover

Since we’re on the topic of canteens, I’d also like to introduce the Insulated Canteen Cover. Incidentally, the late-war model canteen I mentioned earlier was inside this cover when I acquired it.

The interior of some Insulated Canteen Covers is lined with fur, but mine is made of silk floss. While there are some age-related stains, it is in good condition with no tears or major damage.

Summary

That concludes my general classification of the Type 5 Canteen. I didn’t intentionally set out to collect these variations, but over time, I realized I had accumulated quite a few, so I decided to introduce them here.

Recently, well-preserved canteens have been increasing in price, with some exceeding 5,000 yen on Yahoo! Auctions. However, canteen bodies or straps alone can sometimes be found at lower prices, making them good targets for collectors. While unused, mint-condition items are ideal for a collection, if you plan to wear one for photography, a well-worn, battered canteen can add more authenticity to the look.

Since airsoft guns can easily dent these canteens, I highly recommend using replicas for survival games. If you’re not too concerned about minor details, the replicas from HIKISHOP and S&Graf are more than sufficient for gameplay.

That said, the leather stopper cord on these replicas is made of thin synthetic leather, so I recommend replacing it. For an easy detail upgrade, you can buy 2–3mm thick leather scraps, use the replica’s stopper cord as a template, and make your own.

Actually, the replica’s stopper cord shape is a bit off… which brings me to a quick sales pitch—I’ve listed accurate reproduction stopper cords on Yahoo! Auctions. I took measurements from an authentic example, ensuring the correct thickness and hole shapes, but they didn’t sell as well as I expected, so I haven’t made too many. If they’re not listed, feel free to request one via X, and I’ll restock them as needed.

Footnote

1. “Regulations on the Standardization of Clothing and Equipment“ JACAR (Japan Center for Asian Historical Records) Ref. C01001143600, Permanent Documents, Category A, Class 1, Shōwa 5 (Ministry of Defense, National Institute for Defense Studies) ↩︎
2. “Revision of Army Directive No. 8 of Shōwa 5, Personnel Affairs Section” JACAR (Japan Center for Asian Historical Records) Ref. C08070711200, Shōwa 16 Army Directives Compilation, Archives Section (Ministry of Defense, National Institute for Defense Studies) ↩︎