This is an original 1937 edition of “Heiki” (Weapons) – a comprehensive Imperial Japanese Army, Navy, and Air Force reference manual issued during the early stage of the Second Sino-Japanese War. Authored by Seizo Ota, printed and published by Seikodo Shinko-sha in Tokyo, this book served as a classified educational text for military academies and technical officers across Japan’s armed forces. It was designed as a portable field manual, allowing officers and engineers to reference weapon schematics and mechanisms even during deployment or training. Rather than a theoretical study, it was a practical handbook for survival and efficiency on the battlefield – an authentic insight into how soldiers and engineers learned to operate, maintain, and understand their weapons. The content covers a vast range of systems. Infantry small arms and pistols (Type 38 rifle, Mauser, Parabellum, Colt M1911). Artillery and fortification guns. Naval ordnance, torpedoes, and anti-aircraft systems. Aerial bombs, aircraft armaments, and communication devices. Chemical and defensive equipment including gas masks and flame throwers. Comparative diagrams of foreign weapons from Germany, Britain, and the U. Each page is densely illustrated with detailed cross-sections and mechanical diagrams, making it not only an invaluable military study but also an essential source of inspiration for historical modelers, filmmakers, and animation designers seeking authenticity in prewar weapon design. Published just before World War II, Heiki stands as a rare surviving record of Japan’s interwar military technology – a document once held by those who built and operated the empire’s arsenal. Own a piece of history – this manual is a genuine artifact of the knowledge that shaped the Imperial Japanese armed forces. International Buyers – Please Note. Thank you for your understanding.
Official textbook of the Imperial Japanese Army Motor Vehicle School, used to train mechanics and drivers to keep army vehicles ready for combat. Covers the four-stroke engine cycle, ignition, fuel mixture, lubrication, cooling, inspection, storage, and troubleshooting. Many pages bear red pencil underlines from soldiers in training-adding authentic, lived history. Published in March 1935, just before the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War, when the army was rapidly expanding its mechanization program. Compiled and distributed at the Imperial Japanese Army Motor Vehicle School, later circulated across units as the standard reference. As logistics shifted from horses to motor vehicles, maintaining trucks and cars became critical. Step-by-step diagrams and explanations show. Four-stroke function and why mixture/timing matter. Starting, warming up, and stopping procedures. Lubrication, cooling, and fuel system checks. Long-term storage and rust prevention. Early troubleshooting from symptoms like noise, heat, or exhaust color. 1935 (Showa 10) revised edition. Marked in red pencil (student notes). Age-related wear: foxing, fading, corner folds, binding stress (see photos). ? A rare, first-hand artifact of Japan’s military mechanization. Own a Piece of History. Approximate 7-21days(To USA).
This is an original 1929 Imperial Japanese Navy engineering training textbook, titled Marine Engineering Textbook – Practical Mathematics, issued by the Imperial Japanese Navy Engineering School. The Navy Engineering School specialized in training the technical personnel who kept Japanese warships operating. Battleships and cruisers could not move on naval power alone-they depended on engineers and engine-room personnel capable of understanding and maintaining complex machinery. This textbook taught the practical mathematics required for naval engineering work. It begins with arithmetic, fractions, decimals, ratios, percentages, areas, and volumes, then applies these skills to technical problems involving subjects such as steam pressure, cylinders, pistons, horsepower, fuel, coal, displacement, speed, and cruising distance. In other words, this was not simply a school mathematics book. It shows how the Imperial Japanese Navy trained the men responsible for operating the machinery inside its warships. The cover is dated April 1, 1929 (Showa 4) and identifies the Imperial Japanese Navy Engineering School and its engineering training courses. The historical timing is particularly interesting. The Navy Engineering School was established as an independent institution in 1928 after being separated from the Naval Engineering College. This textbook therefore dates from one of the earliest years of the newly independent school. Why is it rare? Unlike commercially published books, this was a specialized internal training textbook intended for a limited group of Imperial Japanese Navy engineering trainees. Such technical educational materials were working documents rather than souvenirs intended to survive for generations. The Imperial Japanese Navy suffered catastrophic losses during WWII and was completely dissolved in 1945. Over the following decades, many of its internal textbooks, manuals, and training materials were discarded or dispersed. Nearly a century later, surviving examples provide an unusual window into a side of naval history that is often overlooked. This is not a book about famous admirals or naval battles. It is something more personal: the knowledge that ordinary technical personnel had to master before they could enter an engine room and help keep a Japanese warship moving. A fascinating piece for collectors of Imperial Japanese Navy militaria, naval engineering, military education, and original prewar technical documents. Own a Piece of History. International Buyers – Please Note.
This book, Combat Outline , was an official Imperial Japanese Army training manual, issued in 1929 (Showa 4) by Heiyo Tosho Co. It standardized how infantry units were to march, deploy, attack, defend, retreat, and communicate. The manual uses diagrams and concise explanations to unify drills and ensure consistency across regiments. Written in the tense years between WWI and the Manchurian Incident (1931), it reflects Japan’s shift toward large-scale military readiness. Unlike propaganda works, this is a practical handbook meant for soldiers and junior officers, showing exactly what was considered “basic combat knowledge” at the time. Aged wear with stains, tears, and discoloration. Red pencil markings and notes are present, evidence of real field use. A genuine pre-WWII field manual that reveals how the Japanese Army trained its soldiers. A rare chance to study the tactical mindset of the Showa era. Own a Piece of History. Approximate 7-21days(To USA).
Imperial Japanese Military English Study Manual. Some Principles of Maritime Strategy. Prewar Non-Retail Educational Edition. This is a prewar Japanese military study manual containing the original English text of. Sir Julian Corbett’s influential work, Some Principles of Maritime Strategy. The cover is titled. “English Military Text Reading Materials – Upper Volume”. This indicates that it was not produced as an ordinary commercial book, but as an educational or institutional reference for the study of Western military theory. The text discusses major subjects including. The theory and nature of war. Limited and unlimited warfare. Command of the sea. Naval warfare and fleet strategy. The concentration and dispersal of naval forces. Corbett was one of Britain’s most important naval strategists. Unlike a simple English-language textbook, this volume shows how prewar Japanese military personnel studied Western strategic thought directly from its original English text. That is the real historical appeal of this item: it preserves evidence of the intellectual and educational side of the Imperial Japanese military-the study of foreign powers, their theories, and their methods of war. The surviving volume contains approximately. Only the upper volume is included. There is age-related discoloration, staining, wear, and a small tear near the lower edge of the rear cover. Please examine the photographs carefully for the condition and contents. A fascinating historical document for collectors of Imperial Japanese Navy material, naval strategy, military education, and prewar Japanese military publications. Own a Piece of History. International Buyers – Please Note. Thank you for your understanding.
This original book, published in. “Theory and Practice of Clothing Maintenance”. Hifuku Seiri no Riron to Jissai. Rather than being an ordinary housekeeping guide, it was edited and published by the. Clothing Association within the Imperial Japanese Army Clothing Depot (Rikugun Hifuku Honsho). The organization responsible for the manufacture, inspection, repair, and supply of uniforms and textile equipment for the Imperial Japanese Army. It provides a fascinating look into the practical side of military logistics, showing how uniforms were maintained, repaired, cleaned, and preserved long before they reached the battlefield. What was the Army Clothing Depot? The Imperial Japanese Army Clothing Depot was the central organization responsible for producing and supplying military uniforms, boots, blankets, packs, tents, and other textile equipment. Keeping thousands of soldiers properly equipped required far more than manufacturing. Clothing had to be inspected, repaired, cleaned, reused, and stored correctly. This book reflects the technical knowledge developed inside that organization, making it much more than an ordinary laundry handbook. Possibly Intended for Military Families. One particularly interesting aspect is the inclusion of an entire section titled. Household Washing Methods for Various Types of Clothing. The book also contains illustrated instructions covering hand washing, wringing techniques, stain removal, fabric care, dyeing, and clothing repair. Because of this, I believe the book was likely intended not only as a technical reference but also as a practical guide that could be used in ordinary households. That it was written for military families, it is quite possible that its knowledge was meant to be shared with the families of servicemen and others responsible for maintaining military clothing at home. This interpretation fits well with both the contents of the book and the social conditions of Japan during the early 1930s. A Window into Pre-War Japan. Shortly after the Manchurian Incident, this book reflects a period when Japan was rapidly expanding its military presence. Uniforms and equipment represented valuable national resources, and extending their usable life through proper maintenance became increasingly important. Theory of clothing maintenance. Wool and silk garment care. Recycling and reuse of worn clothing. Illustrations demonstrate proper washing, wringing, stain removal, and fabric treatment, making the book both technically informative and visually engaging. Collectors often focus on medals, swords, or uniforms themselves. How those uniforms were actually maintained. Are encountered far less frequently. This volume documents the unseen work behind every military uniform-the people who washed it, repaired it, preserved it, and ensured it remained serviceable. It is an outstanding reference for collectors of Imperial Japanese Army material, military logistics, textile history, conservation, restoration, and pre-war Japanese industrial culture. A fascinating and uncommon primary source that reveals an overlooked side of military history. Own a Piece of History. International Buyers – Please Note. Thank you for your understanding.
WWII Imperial Japanese Army Military Astronomy Manual. “How to Determine Direction by the Stars”. Published November 1, 1937. This is an original pre-war Japanese military astronomy manual titled. “Heiyo Tenmon – Hoshi de Hogaku wo Shiru Ho”. Military Astronomy – How to Determine Direction by the Stars. The book was written by. Major General Tokihisa Kojima. And published by Koseisha. The colophon (publication page) clearly states. Published November 1, 1937 (Showa 12). Military Navigation Before GPS. Before GPS, radio navigation, and modern electronic equipment, soldiers often relied on the night sky to determine direction during field operations. This manual was created to teach practical methods of navigation using celestial bodies. Finding Polaris (the North Star). Determining direction from stars. Solar and celestial orientation methods. Numerous diagrams, charts, and constellation illustrations are included throughout the book. Rather than a general astronomy guide, this is a practical military field manual intended to teach navigation and orientation techniques useful for soldiers operating in the field. Graduated from the Imperial Japanese Army Academy and later the Army War College. He served during the Russo-Japanese War and eventually rose to the rank of Major General. Kojima was also known for his strong interest in astronomy and reportedly maintained a private observatory, making this publication an unusual combination of military science and astronomical knowledge. Published in 1937, the same year the Second Sino-Japanese War began, this book provides a fascinating glimpse into how military personnel learned navigation techniques before modern technology existed. It represents a unique intersection of. Survival and navigation techniques. A scarce and interesting reference for collectors of Imperial Japanese military material, navigation history, and pre-war scientific publications. Age-related wear, foxing, and discoloration are present. Please examine all photographs carefully for condition details. International Buyers – Please Note. Thank you for your understanding.
This is a complete set of ten original volumes of the. “Revised Civil Defense Member Handbook Draft” (Bogo Dantai Hitsuyo Soan). Under the supervision of the. Eastern Defense Headquarters of the Imperial Japanese Army. Unlike frontline military manuals, these books were created to train members of Japan’s. An organization responsible for protecting civilians in the event of air raids and other wartime emergencies. Rescue and first aid. In many ways, the organization combined roles similar to today’s volunteer fire departments, emergency response teams, and civil defense organizations. The set contains all ten sections covering every branch of Civil Defense operations. Numerous illustrations demonstrate first-aid procedures, casualty evacuation, stretcher carrying techniques, hemorrhage control, and emergency response methods, showing that these manuals were intended for practical field training rather than theoretical study. The preface explains that the work was revised with the cooperation of the. Army Science Research Institute. And was intended as an official operational guide for Civil Defense personnel during Japan’s expanding wartime mobilization. Several volumes bear a purple ownership stamp reading. Nagayama Pharmacy, Yorozu-machi, Tochigi. This is believed to be the stamp of a former owner or institution that once used these manuals. Because pharmacies often participated in emergency medical support during the period, the stamp adds an additional layer of historical interest, although its exact history is unknown. Complete sets like this rarely survive. Since each booklet was intended for practical use by different Civil Defense units, many were discarded or separated after the war. Finding all ten original volumes together is increasingly uncommon. This collection offers an exceptional glimpse into Japan’s home-front civil defense system immediately following the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937 and represents an important historical resource for collectors of WWII militaria, civil defense, and wartime social history. Please examine the photographs carefully for overall condition, including age-related wear, foxing, stains, and other signs of use. Own a Piece of History. International Buyers – Please Note. Thank you for your understanding.
Understanding a weapon begins with understanding its internal structure. This original reference manual contains the. Illustration volume Appendix No. Japanese Army Ordnance Course. During the Taisho era. Unlike an ordinary textbook, this volume consists almost entirely of. 44 large technical plates. Illustrating the internal construction of artillery ammunition, shells, fuzes, grenades, igniters, and related ordnance equipment used by the Imperial Japanese Army. The drawings are highly detailed cross-sectional engineering diagrams intended for artillery officers and military students studying the design and function of modern ammunition. One of the most interesting features is that the book bears a. Red “Secret” (Maruhi) military stamp. Along with the ownership stamp of an. Imperial Japanese Army artillery second lieutenant. Numerous handwritten annotations remain throughout the diagrams, showing that this was an actual working reference rather than an unused archive copy. The publication dates to. A period when the Imperial Japanese Army was actively studying and modernizing its artillery technology after World War I. Many of the designs reflect European ordnance concepts that influenced Japanese military development during the interwar years. Rather than focusing on combat history, this book documents the engineering and educational side of the Japanese Army. It offers a rare look at how officers learned the construction of shells, fuzes, grenades, and ignition systems nearly a century ago. For collectors of Imperial Japanese Army material, military engineering, artillery history, or original technical manuals, this is an outstanding and visually impressive reference. Own a Piece of History. International Buyers – Please Note. Thank you for your understanding.
This is an original Imperial Japanese Army training reference manual for the grenade discharger, commonly known as the. The grenade discharger was one of the most important infantry support weapons used by the Japanese Army during WWII. Lightweight and highly portable, it was operated at the squad level and widely used in both the. China front and Pacific War. Forming a core element of Japanese infantry tactics. This manual is believed to have been issued through the. Imperial Japanese Army Infantry School. Inside, the book contains detailed. Mechanical diagrams, cross-sections, and operational explanations. Offering not only instruction but also valuable technical insight into how the weapon functioned. The text is written in pre-war Japanese orthography, reflecting the military education system of the time. One particularly important feature. On the back cover, there is a handwritten inscription. “2nd Company, 3rd Platoon – Sueyoshi (Yoshihachiro)”. This indicates that the manual was once owned and used by an actual soldier. It transforms this item from a simple manual into a. Personal artifact connected to a real individual who lived through that era. Who he was, where he was deployed, and what he experienced. This book quietly carries a fragment of that untold story. Aged with wear, stains, and some looseness in binding due to age, but. Complete with no missing pages. While manuals for the Type 92 machine gun are relatively common. Materials specifically focused on the grenade discharger-especially with a. Named soldier’s inscription. Rare and highly collectible. Perfect for collectors, historians, and anyone drawn to authentic, story-rich WWII artifacts. International Buyers – Please Note. Thank you for your understanding.