An Introduction to IJA dog tag specifications and regulations (1894-1945)

[Nick Komiya]

Having laid the groundwork in the manner above, codes were assigned in the following sequence.

10th July 1940
Homeland units in Japan were assigned Tsushogo consisting of compass directions like
西部West,中部 Center and東部 East and North 北部followed by number. Thus the 1st Regiment of the Imperial Guards was now simply, “East 2nd Unit”.

14th November 1940
Units stationed in Manchuria were all given 満州 or 満(Manchuria) as prefix followed by numbers. This was in anticipation of hostilities with Soviet Russia

[Nick Komiya]

9th October 1941
Units stationed in China were given Tsushogo codes as a result of extended hostilities in there.

From 1942
The need to rapidly field new units required timely expedient procedures for issuing new Tsushogo, so simplified means of churning out new codes came into effect.

1944
Prolonged use of codes eventually spoiled its concealment effect, as documents fell into enemy hands, etc. So “Operation Ichigo一号作戦” initiated by the 12th army in China in April 1944, temporarily assigned new codes for the operation. Out of similar needs, the Southern Army also employed new coding as of 26th February.

20th April 1945
The Tsushogo code system became due for a complete overhaul and streamlining to avoid confusion, so “Wartime Tsushogo Regulations for Army Units” was released as Army Secret Ordinance 143. The main points of this change were as follows.
1. For China and Southern Theaters of Operation, the supreme commanders of the army corps were given the authority to designate extra Heidan Mojifu to be used in the public sphere.
2. Homeland units were all given unique serial numbers to avoid future confusion whereas some different units used to have overlapping numbers.
3. All the Tsushogo-related rules that were developed and released in a fragmented manner were now brought together as one ordinance.

After the war it was learned from the former enemies that Tsushogo was effective in concealing unit identity only in the first two months of a new unit. So the confusion and inconvenience it caused the Japanese Army throughout the war was hard to justify in the end.

[Nick Komiya]

Blood Types and ID tags

Unlike the common practice observed in other modern armies, blood type was never an official stamping requirement on IJA tags. Nonetheless examples do exist with A, B, AB or O stamps. This was an initiative at the divisional level and was a practice occasionally observed in late 1944. As an example, the 5th Infantry Division issued orders on 4th October 1944, to conduct blood typing of its officers and men to prepare for anticipated blood transfusions in the near future. Those who never had blood type tested and those who claimed to know their blood type yet suspect (the order reminds that testing done by homeland replacement units in the past had often proved to be incorrect). The resulting blood type information was to be recorded in the blood type list kept at the infirmary of each unit and additionally either stamped onto the ID tags or written under the shirt collar, besides informing the individual.

[Nick Komiya]

Tsushogo Lists (List of Lists)

There are actually many lists now on the internet. Here are a few handy ones that you should be able to easily convert into English using the translator, if you don’t want to deal with Japanese.

Lists for Dummies

1.Code list for all Infantry Regiments

http://admiral3166.ddo.jp/wiki31/ja/...81%AF%E9%9A%8A)

2 . Aviation related codes, paratroops and all

http://www.fontessa.info/tsuushougou.html

3. Codes for units in the battle for Okinawa

http://www.okinawa-sen.go.jp/units_list.html


All the following are from the Japanese National Archives, which are scans of old documents. All archive documents require installation of a browser plug-in called DjVu and here is where you get the English and other language version free.

http://www.jacar.go.jp/english/index.html

It is also possible to browse without the viewer. However, in that case, you will need to wait forever for jpeg images to load. It is virtually impossible to go through the long lists without the viewer. DjVu allows you to scroll through the pages rapidly (this goes even quicker if you save the file to your PC first.)

Here are now the “By Number” Lists
Most lists show only numbers without the Heidan Mojufu, so it is best to cross refer with other lists that show this kanji.

By Number Lists

1. 1001 to 7416…………………………………………….50 pages 1946

http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...G_S1=FolderId&

2. 7420 to 15692………………………………………….50 pages
http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...G_S1=FolderId&

3. 15693 to 28303………………………………………….50 pages
http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...G_S1=FolderId&

4. 28304 to 38703…………………………………………..18 pages
http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...G_S1=FolderId&

5. East, West, Central, North , Korea and Taiwan Prefixed Codes(1 to 1000)……..17 pages 1945
This is in English, made for the Occupation,

http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...D&IS_LGC_S32=&

6. Manchuria Prefixed Codes(1 to 999)……………………………………………………………….41 pages 1945
This is in English, made for the Occupation,

http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...D=MetaSummary&

By Theater Lists

Next “by theater of operations” lists.

1. Manchuria......... 50 pages 1963
Units with Kanji codes: 満 (徳、速、羽、路、監、鋭、真鶴、勾玉、不屈、城、岩、公、英邁、英武、奮戦、奏、遠謀、英断、真心、強、 祐、不抜、丈夫、奮励、迫、藤、英機、不動，富獄、敏、陣、凪、弘、奮迅、遠征、光、宰、松風、不撓、鋭峰 、奮進、不朽、奮躍、築、邁進、展、宣武、衣、扶翼、福寿)　The codes in the brackets are the new 1944 codes.

http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...=&IS_TAG_S32=&

2. Korea and Northern Island......... 49 pages 1963
Units with Kanji codes:朝（津、展、摧、先、高嶺、要、達、）満（岩、城、光、守、真心、花、徳、達、鋭、赫、敏、強 、監、錦、国、勲、奥、拓、鋭敏、轟、攘、鉾、輜、睦、幡、宗、捷、建、断、鋒、、睦、偕、築 、）

http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...=&IS_TAG_S32=&

3. Northern China Units Part 1........6 pages 1961
Units with Kanji codes:　甲、春、島、曙、伸長、至武、桜、呂、栄

http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...=&IS_TAG_S32=&

4. Northern China Units Part 2........12 pages 1963
　　Units with Kanji codes:捋、造、国、塁、固、至隆、乙、技、仁、鷺、北、龍、成、至殻、
　　至敏、涙風、紫電、

http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...=&IS_TAG_S32=&

5. Northern China Units Part ３........７pages 196１
Units with Kanji codes:秀嶺、弾、桐、幹、谷、至剛、至鋭、至巌、戊、響、登、至誠、統

http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...=&IS_TAG_S32=&

6. China Units under Theater Command………9 pages 1961
Units with Kanji codes:栄、幸、鏡、極、鯨、秋水、呂

http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...=&IS_TAG_S32=&

7. Central China Units Part 1…………….12 pages 1961
Units with Kanji codes:登、矛、鳶、専、隊、恵、震天、震雷、至堅、肇、矢石、乙、呂。

http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...=&IS_TAG_S32=&

8. Central China Units Part 2……………6 pages 1961
Units with Kanji codes:守、槍、進撃、操、至旋、馳駆、登、

http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...D&IS_LGC_S32=&

9. Central China Units Part 3……………11 pages 1961
Units with Kanji codes:統、振起、峯、至猛、至勇、至潔、悟、征、福、善、登、桜、甲、波、呂、呂武、

http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...=&IS_TAG_S32=&

10. Central China Units Part 4……………16 pages 1961
Units with Kanji codes:呂、広、友、飾、沖、桜、栄、統、波、尚統、開、桧、至強、至烈、秋霜、震動、至威、

http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...=&IS_TAG_S32=&

11. Burma Units Part 1…………………….7 pages 1961
Units with Kanji code:森

http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...=&IS_TAG_S32=&

12. Burma Units Part 2…………………….11 pages 1961
Units with Kanji codes:安、林、祭、烈、弓、策、兵、貫、昆、菊、狼、龍、厳

http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...=&IS_TAG_S32=&

13. Thailand and French Indochina…………9 pages 1961
Units with Kanji codes:直、義、淀、原、冬、体、威、信、図、勇、討、社、育

http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...=&IS_TAG_S32=&

14. Philippines Units……………….34 pages 1961
Units with Kanji codes:威、鉄、駿、虎、旭、勤、撃、盟、鎧、尚、玉、垣、泉、豹、拠、抜、星、萩、菅、杉、振武

http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...=&IS_TAG_S32=&

15. East New Guinea Units………………16 pages 1961
Units with Kanji codes:明、猛、朝、河、基、沖、剛、力、月、暁、沼、忠、夏、隆、

http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...=&IS_TAG_S32=&

16. West New Guinea Units………………6 pages 1961
Units with Kanji codes:勢、輝、照、東、雪、巡

http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...=&IS_TAG_S32=&

17. Malaysia, Borneo Units……………….12 pages 1961
Units with Kanji codes:岡、獄、教、練、鍛、定、基、信、烈、威、静、灘、貫、敢斗、義、森

http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...=&IS_TAG_S32=&

18. Sumatra Units……………………………5 pages 1961
Units with Kanji codes:富、盤

http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...=&IS_TAG_S32=&

19．Okinawa Units…………………………………10 pages 1961
Units with Kanji codes:球、石、山、豊、碧、駒、

http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...=&IS_TAG_S32=&

21．Taiwan Units………………………………………………17 pages 1961
Units with Kanji codes:台、陽、武、剣、蓬、敢、命、興、律、八幡、磐石、破竹、雷神、

http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...=&IS_TAG_S32=&

Other lists

There are several hundred list files in the archives by Armies, Divisions, etc here are only a few examples.

1.14th Army component codes (Phillipines)

http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...D&IS_LGC_S32=&

2.1941 list of Heidan Mojifu and Tsushobango allocation ranges for troops in China

http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...D&IS_LGC_S32=&

3. Order of Battle for China and Tsushogo Codes 50pgs

http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...D&IS_LGC_S32=&

4. Order of Battle for China and Tsushogo Codes 2 17pgs

http://www.jacar.go.jp/DAS/meta/imag...D&IS_LGC_S32=&

[Nick Komiya]

Just got reminded by Gary that a photo with blood type was his, so I add that as credit with my thanks.

Hope everyone found this thread better than anything they have read on the subject of dog tags so far.

[GeorgeP]

Priceless information, Nick, thank you for all of the work you put into it!

2 questions if you don't mind:

1) Unless I missed something in your information, would soldiers wear their replacement unit tags to garrison and get an updated tag once there? I have a couple of these tags with the large replacement soldier numbers and replacement kanji designations (example: West 46 instead of the company number in the middle) on the tag captured from places like Bougainville and other battlefields.

2) Can you please address katakana/hiragana found sometimes within the middle column of some tags? (see your post #18 for the "ran" tag. It has what looks like "tsu mu" above the blood type.)

Of course, no rush on a response. I know you put a ton of time into this.

Thanks again, great stuff!

Tom

[Stu W]

Another outstanding contribution! Thank you Nick. Although I have sold off all but one of my dog tags, and fondly recall owning a couple you have pictured, I still find your article of great interest.

I mentioned I have one left and will add it in here with the information I currently have for it. Perhaps you could comment.

Here is the information ...

1st Amphibious Brigade, 1st Mobile Battalion. The code kanji is "kakeru" (run, gallop). The 1st Mobile Battalion was on Eniwetok although I believe one Company went to Peleliu. Many members of the 1st Amphibious Brigade came out of an Independent Garrison Battalion up in Manchuria. Thanks to Tom and a couple others for what I have so far.

Regards,
Stu

[Nick Komiya]

Stu, the info you have is correct. There is no English version, but surprisingly a German version exists.
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphib...bische_Brigade
Just became aware that the list links seem to have died when I cut and pasted them. Will have to fix them after figuring out how that happened.

[Nick Komiya]

George, I virtually wrote this thread for you, following up on the exchange we had some time ago, so I am pleased to answer your questions.
1. The tags they got at the replacement units were all they got. No mention of getting replacements at the destination unit. So there would have been no company designation on those, but later Tsushogo did often indicate company and battalion designations.
2. つむ, I guess indicates he was in the Radio (無線、Musen) Company of the Signals (通信隊、Tsushin). In that case, つゆ would have indicated the phone company (有線、Yusen).
There are no provisions for Hiragana and Katakana stampings in regulations and they must be field improvised codes easily recognized by insiders, but discreet against outsiders.

[GeorgeP]

Thank you, Nick, I really appreciate all that you bring to this forum. This thread has connected several dots for me and has answered a lot of questions. Thanks again!


Tom

[JapanX]

... this thread better than anything they have read on the subject of dog tags so far.

It certainly is

[Nick Komiya]

All the long archive links got cut short during the upload. There must be some kind of limit here to the length of link addresses. I don't have the energy left to deal with the problem now, so if you need those links, e-mail me and I will send a word file with the live full links to you.

[Jareth]

Invaluable info here! Groundbreaking research that will hopefully unlock the dog tag codes!

[imperialjapan]

Thanks again, Nick, for such selfless work. Fantastic information!

[RussellM]

Nick, I couldn't agree more with the comments already posted.

Your commitment to sharing with us the phenomenal research you've undertaken on this subject, and so many others, is simply astounding, and greatly appreciated!

Regards

Russ