Hachimaki - What makes an original?

[msams]

Hi there,

I am fairly new to Japanese collecting and came across this headband. I know that there are thousands of fakes out there and I have seen similar specimen on IMA but seeing that I like to talk to legitimate collectors and not dealers, I would be interested to know if there is a golden standard in these. This one is a bit clean which concerns me, a linen cotton type, seems printed (there is a brown aura around the lettering) There is yellowing only on the fold exposed, otherwise fairly crisp.

What would be the consensus?

Thanks!

[GeorgeP]

You can find items like these in the gift shops of/near major Shinto shrines all over Japan. I don't know if I have ever seen a legit. "kamikaze" headband from the war, aside from the headbands made for factory workers for the war effort.


Tom

[GHP]

Read Nick Komiya's article.

[MikeB]

Hachimaki

I have a question: If a "factory worker's" kamikaze/divine wind-style headband was worn by an actual tokkotai or navy trained, kamikaze-intended pilot, would the headband be a kamikaze headband? No sarcasm here, just wondering.....

MikeB

[MikeB]

Hachimaki

I just re-read Nick's article. Thank you again for posting it.....

MikeB

[GeorgeP]

I have a question: If a "factory worker's" kamikaze/divine wind-style headband was worn by an actual tokkotai or navy trained, kamikaze-intended pilot, would the headband be a kamikaze headband? No sarcasm here, just wondering.....

MikeB

A new koan worth pondering.



Tom

[MikeB]

Hachimaki

Tom-
I knew that I could count on you to return to your Zen roots! I have been thinking about you during the virus outbreak; I hope that you and yours are well and staying safe....

Regards,

MikeB

[GeorgeP]

Thanks, Mike. Wishes for continued good health going out to you, the family, and our WAF community.

Hunkered down in Denver for now. Lockdown getting long in the tooth, but the health system hasn't been overwhelmed here as of yet, thank goodness. May something akin to normal come to all of us soon.


Tom

[msams]

Thank you for the responses on this, it's an excellent article, I appreciate the response!

[kenw]

Were any Kempeitai armbands tan? I have only seen them in white. If tan could be original where were they used?