https://militaria19191938.org Wed, 28 Oct 2026 07:32:48 +0000 en-CA hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1 https://militaria19191938.org/2026/10/04/wwii-imperial-japanese-army-gas-defense-civilian-air-raid-manual-1937/ https://militaria19191938.org/2026/10/04/wwii-imperial-japanese-army-gas-defense-civilian-air-raid-manual-1937/#comments Sun, 04 Oct 2026 15:27:46 +0000 https://militaria19191938.org/2026/10/04/wwii-imperial-japanese-army-gas-defense-civilian-air-raid-manual-1937/







Published in 1937, this is an original prewar Japanese civil-defense manual titled Citizen’s Gas Protection Handbook, compiled by the Imperial Japanese Army Science Research Institute. The book was issued by Maeda Chijodo and was intended not for soldiers, but for ordinary civilians preparing for air raids, poison-gas attacks, incendiary bombs, and other dangers of modern warfare. Its contents include subjects such as: Protection of cities from air raids General gas-defense measures First-aid and rescue stations Different types of gas injuries Civilian gas masks and protective equipment An appendix on how to fight fires caused by incendiary bombs Instructions for civilian anti-gas equipment The Imperial Japanese Army Science Research Institute was established in 1919 as an Army research organization involved in military science and technology, including chemical warfare, gas protection, and related fields. It was abolished in 1941 during a major reorganization of the Army’s technical research system, with its functions transferred to successor organizations. What makes this book especially interesting is its audience. This was not a battlefield field manual. It was created for civilians at a time when the possibility of modern aerial warfare reaching Japanese cities was becoming increasingly real. The dramatic cover shows bombers flying over a city, while the text discusses poison gas, air-raid precautions, and even incendiary-bomb firefighting. It is a direct surviving document from the period when war was beginning to move beyond the battlefield and into the everyday lives of civilians. A fascinating piece for collectors of Japanese military history, civil-defense material, chemical-warfare history, and prewar civilian life. Condition: Shows age-related staining, foxing, toning, wear, and general deterioration. Please examine the photos carefully for condition. Own a Piece of History. International Buyers – Please Note.

]]> https://militaria19191938.org/2026/10/04/wwii-imperial-japanese-army-gas-defense-civilian-air-raid-manual-1937/feed/ 0 https://militaria19191938.org/2026/09/29/ww2-imperial-japanese-army-noyama-artillery-essentials-manual-with-horse/ https://militaria19191938.org/2026/09/29/ww2-imperial-japanese-army-noyama-artillery-essentials-manual-with-horse/#comments Tue, 29 Sep 2026 15:13:44 +0000 https://militaria19191938.org/2026/09/29/ww2-imperial-japanese-army-noyama-artillery-essentials-manual-with-horse/









This is an original pre-WWII Imperial Japanese Army field manual titled “Noyama Artillery Essentials”. It served as a compact, all-in-one reference handbook for artillery soldiers, covering horse anatomy, harness equipment, field artillery diagrams, unit insignia, medals, flags, and uniforms. What is “Noyama Artillery Essentials”? This manual was issued to enlisted men and NCOs in the artillery arm. It provided essential knowledge required for daily service, including. Names and functions of horse body parts. How to attach and maintain horse harnesses. Operation and structure of field guns. Unit flags, rank insignia, and decorations. Basic military procedures and terminology. It functioned as a practical pocket field guide for artillerymen. Type 38 Field Gun & Type 41 Mountain Gun. Detailed fold-out technical diagrams for two iconic Japanese artillery pieces are included. Type 38 Field Gun (1905) – Japan’s primary field gun used from the Russo-Japanese War through WWII. Type 41 Mountain Gun (1908) – A lightweight artillery piece designed to be disassembled and transported by packhorses, widely used in China and mountainous regions. Surviving manuals with intact fold-out diagrams are rare. Horse Anatomy & Equipment Diagrams. Artillery operations depended heavily on horses. This manual includes detailed illustrations showing. Differences between riding, draft, and pack equipment. These diagrams are highly valued by collectors and researchers. Decorations, Medals, Flags, and Insignia. The manual contains vivid color pages showing. Orders such as the Order of the Rising Sun & Order of the Golden Kite. Unit flags and command flags. Shoulder boards, collar tabs, and various rank devices. Such full-color charts are uncommon in surviving field manuals. Cracks and wear consistent with age. Last page shows tearing (see photos). Natural aging, but still fully readable. Please refer to photos for details. Why this item is important. This is a comprehensive artillery manual, combining technical drawings, horse equipment, and insignia charts-materials that usually appear only in separate documents. For collectors of WWII Japanese militaria, artillery research, horse equipment, or Imperial Army history, this is a valuable reference piece. Approximate 7-21days(To USA).

]]> https://militaria19191938.org/2026/09/29/ww2-imperial-japanese-army-noyama-artillery-essentials-manual-with-horse/feed/ 0 https://militaria19191938.org/2026/09/13/wwii-imperial-japanese-army-kempeitai-secret-military-police-training-manual/ https://militaria19191938.org/2026/09/13/wwii-imperial-japanese-army-kempeitai-secret-military-police-training-manual/#comments Sun, 13 Sep 2026 22:17:55 +0000 https://militaria19191938.org/2026/09/13/wwii-imperial-japanese-army-kempeitai-secret-military-police-training-manual/








What did the Japanese military consider dangerous ideas? This is an original. 1939 (Showa 14) “Confidential” training manual. Kempei Yomu Kyotei (Higher Police Draft). Imperial Japanese Army Kempei School. Served not only as the military police but also as one of Japan’s most powerful security organizations. Their responsibilities included counterintelligence, political surveillance, suppression of espionage, and monitoring of ideological movements. Because of these activities, the Kempeitai became one of the most feared organizations in prewar and wartime Japan. This manual was prepared to train officers assigned to. Political and social thought. The Japanese Communist Party. Post-Manchurian Incident security situation. Rather than a general history book, this is a. Showing how the Japanese military itself analyzed political ideology and internal security before World War II. One reason this manual is particularly scarce is that it was marked. And distributed only within the Kempei educational system. After Japan’s surrender in 1945, the Kempeitai was dissolved under the Allied Occupation, and many internal military police documents were destroyed or discarded, making surviving originals increasingly difficult to find today. For collectors of WWII militaria, intelligence history, political history, or Japanese military documents, this is an exceptional research piece that reveals the hidden side of wartime Japan. Own a Piece of History. International Buyers – Please Note. Thank you for your understanding.

]]> https://militaria19191938.org/2026/09/13/wwii-imperial-japanese-army-kempeitai-secret-military-police-training-manual/feed/ 0 https://militaria19191938.org/2026/09/07/1937-imperial-japanese-army-navy-air-force-military-weapons-manual-9th-ed/ https://militaria19191938.org/2026/09/07/1937-imperial-japanese-army-navy-air-force-military-weapons-manual-9th-ed/#comments Mon, 07 Sep 2026 09:57:59 +0000 https://militaria19191938.org/2026/09/07/1937-imperial-japanese-army-navy-air-force-military-weapons-manual-9th-ed/


















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.

]]> https://militaria19191938.org/2026/09/07/1937-imperial-japanese-army-navy-air-force-military-weapons-manual-9th-ed/feed/ 0 https://militaria19191938.org/2026/09/04/1935-imperial-japanese-army-motor-vehicle-manual-auto-school-training-book/ https://militaria19191938.org/2026/09/04/1935-imperial-japanese-army-motor-vehicle-manual-auto-school-training-book/#comments Fri, 04 Sep 2026 09:49:10 +0000 https://militaria19191938.org/2026/09/04/1935-imperial-japanese-army-motor-vehicle-manual-auto-school-training-book/








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).

]]> https://militaria19191938.org/2026/09/04/1935-imperial-japanese-army-motor-vehicle-manual-auto-school-training-book/feed/ 0 https://militaria19191938.org/2026/09/01/1929-imperial-japanese-navy-engineering-school-marine-engineering-math-manual/ https://militaria19191938.org/2026/09/01/1929-imperial-japanese-navy-engineering-school-marine-engineering-math-manual/#comments Tue, 01 Sep 2026 21:42:42 +0000 https://militaria19191938.org/2026/09/01/1929-imperial-japanese-navy-engineering-school-marine-engineering-math-manual/









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.

]]> https://militaria19191938.org/2026/09/01/1929-imperial-japanese-navy-engineering-school-marine-engineering-math-manual/feed/ 0 https://militaria19191938.org/2026/08/15/1929-imperial-japanese-army-combat-outline-pre-wwii-training-manual/ https://militaria19191938.org/2026/08/15/1929-imperial-japanese-army-combat-outline-pre-wwii-training-manual/#comments Sat, 15 Aug 2026 08:51:43 +0000 https://militaria19191938.org/2026/08/15/1929-imperial-japanese-army-combat-outline-pre-wwii-training-manual/









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).

]]> https://militaria19191938.org/2026/08/15/1929-imperial-japanese-army-combat-outline-pre-wwii-training-manual/feed/ 0 https://militaria19191938.org/2026/07/29/wwii-imperial-japanese-navy-maritime-strategy-english-training-manual/ https://militaria19191938.org/2026/07/29/wwii-imperial-japanese-navy-maritime-strategy-english-training-manual/#comments Wed, 29 Jul 2026 07:55:02 +0000 https://militaria19191938.org/2026/07/29/wwii-imperial-japanese-navy-maritime-strategy-english-training-manual/











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.

]]> https://militaria19191938.org/2026/07/29/wwii-imperial-japanese-navy-maritime-strategy-english-training-manual/feed/ 0 https://militaria19191938.org/2026/07/27/wwii-imperial-japanese-army-uniform-maintenance-manual-clothing-care-book-1932/ https://militaria19191938.org/2026/07/27/wwii-imperial-japanese-army-uniform-maintenance-manual-clothing-care-book-1932/#comments Mon, 27 Jul 2026 07:47:42 +0000 https://militaria19191938.org/2026/07/27/wwii-imperial-japanese-army-uniform-maintenance-manual-clothing-care-book-1932/











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.

]]> https://militaria19191938.org/2026/07/27/wwii-imperial-japanese-army-uniform-maintenance-manual-clothing-care-book-1932/feed/ 0 https://militaria19191938.org/2026/07/26/wwii-imperial-japanese-army-military-astronomy-field-navigation-manual-1937/ https://militaria19191938.org/2026/07/26/wwii-imperial-japanese-army-military-astronomy-field-navigation-manual-1937/#comments Sun, 26 Jul 2026 07:43:00 +0000 https://militaria19191938.org/2026/07/26/wwii-imperial-japanese-army-military-astronomy-field-navigation-manual-1937/











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.

]]> https://militaria19191938.org/2026/07/26/wwii-imperial-japanese-army-military-astronomy-field-navigation-manual-1937/feed/ 0