Japan, Imperial Army. A Japanese Lieutenant Tunic, ca. 1939-1945

A Second War Imperial Japanese Army tunic constructed of brown wool with a cotton-blend interior lining. The breasts of the tunic close by five reinforced button holes meeting an equal number of magnetic bronze buttons. The breasts of the tunic each bear two pockets opening with a reinforced buttonhole meeting a magnetic bronze button. The hip pockets open with reinforced horizontal pocket flaps. The collar, constructed of the same wool fabric, has two metal hooks on the inside left and two metal eyelets on the right, allowing the collar to sit flush with the neck. The collar is flanked by collar tabs, showing some signs of aging, constructed of red wool with gold twisted bullion trim, a central gold stripe, and two metal stars, measuring approximately 18 mm (w) x 40 mm (h). On the left side of the tunic is a vertical slit measuring 170 mm, closing with a brown bakelite button meeting a cotton loop. The cuffs of both sleeves are constructed of brown wool, rolled up to a depth of 117 mm, securely stitched in place around the circumference, and bordered with brown embroidery. The interior of the tunic is fully lined by a brown cotton fabric, transitioning into a pinstripe design through the arms. The right interior breast pocket opens with a reinforced buttonhole meeting a brown, bakelite button. The left interior bears two pockets, each opening with a reinforced vertical slit. Inside the left breast is embroidered Japanese writing. The tunic measures approximately 420 mm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 550 mm and a total body length of 660 mm, and is in an extremely fine condition.