Japan, Imperial. An Army EM/NCO’s M98 Tunic

This is a very well-preserved Imperial Japanese Army EM/MCO’s M98 service tunic, constructed of olive-drab cotton twill with a dark brown collar. The cuff of each sleeve bears a narrow, machine-embroidered, stylized cotton tresse. Each breast flap has two pockets, with the top pockets opening with a horizontal flap with a reinforced buttonhole meeting a gilded magnetic metal button, in turn adorned with a raised cherry blossom. The lower pockets open with a simple horizontal flap. The tunic is closed by five magnetic metal buttons, each bearing a raised cherry blossom, on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left. The reverse exterior has two machine-embroidered cotton loops. The interior is plain with the exception of an unmarked white cotton label on the upper right breast flap, as well as a cotton loop hanger set into the collar. The tunic measures approximately 440 mm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 498 mm and an overall body length of 625 mm. Minor material fatigue is evident, and the tunic is in an overall better than very fine condition.