Help with Japanese paper grouping

[Blacksmith Life]

Hello all - I recently picked up this small grouping. It all came in the ratty paper envelope, including the silk purse thingy.

I look for out of the ordinary bits, which is why this caught my attention.

There is some English written on the back of the envelope with the stamp on it, in both pencil and fountain pen. The pencil is a gentleman's name, and "B-24 Liberator" written beneath it.

As always, any insight is very much appreciated - thank you.

[Ryukyutunnelrat]

The first item just looks to be an equipment tag of some sorts. The second is a personal letter and envelope. The letter shows that it was mailed to a Japanese Naval Unit U86, U126, U58, the first being the location, second Unit and third a detachment, C/O Yokosuka Post Office. I am trying to learn the Navy Postal unit codes but I do not have the unit code U86 on my list so not sure where this is.

[Rod G]

Sheet of paper number 2 has the date Showa 18 (1943), December 18.

I like the silk bag thingy.

Rod

[Blacksmith Life]

Thank you David.

The first item just looks to be an equipment tag of some sorts. The second is a personal letter and envelope. The letter shows that it was mailed to a Japanese Naval Unit U86, U126, U58, the first being the location, second Unit and third a detachment, C/O Yokosuka Post Office. I am trying to learn the Navy Postal unit codes but I do not have the unit code U86 on my list so not sure where this is.

[Blacksmith Life]

Hi Rod - That convinced me to pick up the lot - I wouldn't have done so on the paper alone. You might be able to tell this from the pics, but just in case:

It is crudely sewn, from a much thicker textile than you would generally think to make an item of this size. It is lined with a cotton, almost gauze, liner. I don't know if there would be one this color, but it almost looks like it was cut down from a kimono. Has a single snap sewn into top middle, and the two loops at top. Maybe worn on cord, or inside another garment (?).

And, thank you for the next clue.

Sheet of paper number 2 has the date Showa 18 (1943), December 18.

I like the silk bag thingy.

Rod

[Nick Komiya]

The paper tag is a quality test tag from a electrically heated type 2 pitot tube made by Shimazu manufacturing dated March 1943. The navy destination code 86 for the letter must be somewhere in the Marshali Islands. The letter is from a younger brother, Teruo to an older brother, Seiji in service in the South Pacific dated 1943 Dec 18th. He reports that he finally graduated school and found a job at Matsu****a Aviation Industries. The whole family had looked forward to see him return on home leave for New Year celebrations, but critical developments in the war make that seem unlikely for a while. Though the war economy does bring some challenges, at least the family can look forward to get rice cake rations again for New Year celebrations, thanks to those like you that keep us safe. How's New Year's day like in the tropics? Write us about it some time, won't you? Enclosed is my graduation photo. Soon will start with 3 months of technical training in the new job to get me qualified as a quasi-engineer type.

[Blacksmith Life]

Nick - I sincerely don't know what we'd do without you.

Is the soldier's last name mentioned at all?

I suspect not, or you'd have said it.

Just wondering if unit can be ID'd

Does the envelope with the stamp look like it's what the letter was mailed in?

Sorry for all the questions - thank you!

The paper tag is a quality test tag from a electrically heated type 2 pitot tube made by Shimazu manufacturing dated March 1943. The navy destination code 86 for the letter must be somewhere in the Marshali Islands. The letter is from a younger brother, Teruo to an older brother, Seiji in service in the South Pacific dated 1943 Dec 18th. He reports that he finally graduated school and found a job at Matsu****a Aviation Industries. The whole family had looked forward to see him return on home leave for New Year celebrations, but critical developments in the war make that seem unlikely for a while. Though the war economy does bring some challenges, at least the family can look forward to get rice cake rations again for New Year celebrations, thanks to those like you that keep us safe. How's New Year's day like in the tropics? Write us about it some time, won't you? Enclosed is my graduation photo. Soon will start with 3 months of technical training in the new job to get me qualified as a quasi-engineer type.

[Nick Komiya]

Yes, that envelope held that letter. I initially could not make out the first character in the family name on the envelope because the postal stamp is obscuring it, but now I can see that the family name is Tone, so the navy soldier was Seiji Tone from Osaka city.

[Blacksmith Life]

You're the best Nick - thanks again.

Yes, that envelope held that letter. I initially could not make out the first character in the family name on the envelope because the postal stamp is obscuring it, but now I can see that the family name is Tone, so the navy soldier was Seiji Tone from Osaka city.

[Nick Komiya]

The younger brother, Teruo , who wrote this letter was still alive in 2000. His current phone number and address are as follows. He pretty much still lives at the address on the envelope. His name appears in a class action case that went to the supreme court about residents of that area being subjected to historical discrimination. This area was traditionally where the people from the bottom rung of the old feudal caste system lived　http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burakumin

Phone 06-6673-9119
Mr. Teruo Tone
4-18-17 Bandai, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
558-0055 Japan

戸根照夫 大阪府大阪市住吉区万代4-18-17

[Rod G]

That's amazing work Nick!

It seems likely this grouping has been anonymous for 70 years now it has a name and address, and, if I may, some interesting possibilities. As to what the cloth bag was made from Seiji san's brother might have an answer if he is still with us (it's a possibility). This is a great thread no matter what happens next! Thanks for posting Blacksmith Life.

Rod

[Blacksmith Life]

Wow. That's very interesting Nick.

Thank you.

The younger brother, Teruo , who wrote this letter was still alive in 2000. His current phone number and address are as follows. He pretty much still lives at the address on the envelope. His name appears in a class action case that went to the supreme court about residents of that area being subjected to historical discrimination. This area was traditionally where the people from the bottom rung of the old feudal caste system lived　http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burakumin

Phone 06-6673-9119
Mr. Teruo Tone
4-18-17 Bandai, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
558-0055 Japan

戸根照夫 大阪府大阪市住吉区万代4-18-17

[Blacksmith Life]

Rod - Thank you for the kind words. My pleasure in sharing it, and I am exceedingly grateful for the help in learning more about it.

That's amazing work Nick!

It seems likely this grouping has been anonymous for 70 years now it has a name and address, and, if I may, some interesting possibilities. As to what the cloth bag was made from Seiji san's brother might have an answer if he is still with us (it's a possibility). This is a great thread no matter what happens next! Thanks for posting Blacksmith Life.

Rod

[Striking 9th]

If your thinking of returning it Dan King does the leg work. Great thread and great work Nick!!

[Blacksmith Life]

I appreciate the info - thanks.

If your thinking of returning it Dan King does the leg work. Great thread and great work Nick!!