Japan, Imperial. A First Sino-Japanese War Parade Tunic, by Kaikosha, c.1895

A parade dress tunic, constructed of black wool, with a double-breasted front closure leading to a stand-up collar fastened by dual hooks and eyes, the front features two rows of seven, highly convex brass buttons featuring five-lobed cherry blossoms on the obverses, the collar is faced in red wool with decorative, gold bullion borders, dual wool loops are sewn to each shoulder and bear shoulder boards constructed of braided gold bullion wire, two buttons, smaller versions of the breast buttons, are sewn on each cuff, the cuffs are complete with red wool and decorative gold bullion wire tress, the reverse presents a 42 cm vent, decorated with red piping and buttons, the interior is fully lined in black cotton-silk blend, the sleeves are lined in white silk, the lining is quilted from the waist up, the interior presents a horizontally slit pocket on the right breast and a vertically slit patch pocket on the left breast, the manufacturer’s label is sewn to the back of the neck, bearing the maker KAIKOSHA TOKYO KUUAN, the shoulders measure 39 cm across, the arms measure 52 cm, and the total length is 92 cm, the tunic displays mothing, soiling, and mild tearing to the interior lining, and it is in overall near very fine condition.