WWI Imperial Japanese Army Conscription Guide Rank Insignia Book 1915
Published in 1915, this is an original Japanese military reference book titled A Simple Guide to Conscription, written by Shige Kotani and published by Kinkodo Publishing Co. Unlike a confidential military manual intended only for soldiers or officers, this book was created as a practical introduction for ordinary young Japanese men approaching military conscription. At the time, compulsory military service brought large numbers of young men from civilian life into the Imperial Japanese Army. This book helped explain that transition, including the basic meaning of conscription, military service, conduct expected of soldiers, and everyday military regulations. The opening section includes the Imperial Rescript to Soldiers and Sailors, an important statement of the moral and behavioral standards expected of members of Japan’s armed forces. One of the most visually interesting features is the fold-out color chart showing Imperial Japanese Army rank insignia. This makes the book especially useful for collectors and researchers because the military hierarchy can be understood visually even without reading Japanese. The book was published in 1915, during World War I, at a time when Japan was expanding its military role in East Asia and the Pacific. This was not a book written for generals. It was a book intended for the ordinary young men who were about to enter military life. For that reason, it offers an unusually personal view of the point where civilian life and military service met in early 20th-century Japan. A fascinating historical reference for collectors of Imperial Japanese Army material, conscription history, military education, rank insignia, and pre-WWII Japanese printed material. The book shows age-related wear, including toning, stains, edge wear, and wear to the cover. Please review the condition carefully. Own a Piece of History. International Buyers – Please Note.