IJN EM hat

[Fritziii]

Got this really nice hat today with a WW2 Coast Gaurd grouping, doesn't look like it was worn much, an thoughts on what the kanji says on the side of the cap? Don't think I've ever noticed that before.

Fritz

[Fritziii]

2

[Fritziii]

3

[GHP]

島原
Shimabara

--Guy

[Fritziii]

Thanks Guy!

Fritz

[Jareth]

Fritz any interior photos? Otherwise a very common variation.

[Fritziii]

Here's a shot of the interior, yea I know it's a common hat, just wanted to know about the kanji on the side.

Fritz

[FightenIrish35]

Very interesting how the wearer of the cap wrote opposite direction of the coloumns on the MFT Stamp inside. Very neat.

[GHP]

I cannot clearly see the far right line of kanji.

。。。。。水 [....water]
七六九六 [7696]
島原 [Shimabara]

[Fritziii]

Thanks GHP, didn't catch this till now, here's a better pic

Fritz

[GHP]

Nick Komiya wrote a great explanation that is pinned here

Based on Nick's article, I think the first line is:

呉二補水

呉　for（Kure）
二補
水 for 水兵 Suihei (Sailor)

However, later in the war, when reserves were mobilized, this position also showed what level of reserve personnel he was, as denoted by the following　(detailed explanations omitted as these are not often seen)
一補 for 第一補充兵役; 二補 for 第二補充兵役 [ghp note: that kinda translates as "Second replenishment military service"]

--Guy

[Fritziii]

Thanks Guy!!

Fritz