This book was written by Tadao Nakata, founder of the famous Nakata Shoten in Tokyo that sells military surplus and replica equipment. Nakata began his store in war torn Tokyo after the war, selling US Army surplus and has been an avid collector of Japanese militaria since.

This book is a comprehensive guide to Japanese military forces including the Army and Navy. It includes uniforms and equipment photographed on real models in color, plus historical photos. Its strength are photographs of each piece of individual equipment, from headgear to boots, service and dress uniforms for all ranks. Also, insignias, medals ephemera and more. Various exotic items are covered including body armor, flags, newspapers and more. Weapons profiled include swords, rifles, bayonets and machine guns. '

Overall this book is an excellent general reference with a mix of historical and contemporary photos. All captions are in Japanese with a printed insert with English captions and limited translations.

Review by Justin Taylan  

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Last Updated
September 21, 2023