On the formation of their armies these states at first adopted provisional uniforms; these have now been re placed by some of an entirely new pattern, which approximate to the British in general cut and colour. For winter there are special caps, furred and with earflaps, short sheepskin overcoats for general purposes, and extra heavy greatcoats for guard purposes. For summer a light cotton tunic or blouse of Russian pattern is worn.
(a) All ranks of the Guards are supplied with an elaborate full dress. The service dress is of olive yellow cloth and consists of a soft service cap, a loose jacket with shoulder straps, on which are the number of the regiment and the badges of rank; loose breeches, tight from the calf to the ankle, puttees and black boots. Mounted men wear riding breeches of the same colour, with black boots and leggings. Each army has a clothing department organized as a battalion of 2 companies. The steel helmet in appearance is much like a dragoon helmet.
The Army is clothed in a light olive drab cloth, or cotton drills. The gendarmerie, who are clothed in all respects as the army, use a field grey cloth. For officers and permanent staff warrant officers and N.C.Os there are two orders of dress (a) service dress and (b) walking-out-dress, which is service dress with certain modifications. The various arms and services are distinguished by their facings ; units are indicated by numerals or collar badges. The same pattern cap badges and buttons, in various metals, are used by all.
Officers and Warrant Officers wear olive drab. Trousers and pantaloons as for walking-out dress. Cap, soft forage cap without peak, with bronze badge. This can be worn inside the steel helmet, and can be pulled down to cover the ears in cold weather. Other ranks wear a jacket of olive drab woollen material, four patch pockets. Pantaloons, cavalry scarlet-cloth ; other arms drab cloth. Trousers, all arms drab cloth. Cap, all arms, soft service dress cap as for officers. N.C.Os are provided with, and privates may pur chase for themselves, stiff forage caps, to be worn when walking out. Greatcoats, double-breasted with strap across back. Cavalry have a short warm coat. All ranks are provided with a cotton jacket of the same pattern as the service dress jacket for wear during summer training. Gas masks form a part of the equipment, as also do steel helmets of the German pattern.
Officers and Warrant Officers have a full dress which they wear on ceremonial occasions when not on parade with troops. Khaki is the normal uniform for all ranks ; that for officers and warrant officers is similar in shade to that worn in the British Army, while that of the non-commissioned officers and men is of a more yellow shade. The various arms of the army are distinguished by the colour of the collar patches. Units are distinguished by numerals on the collar patches. The cap and buttons are the same for all arms. From June to September inclusive, non-commissioned offi cers and men wear uniform similar to Indian drill. In winter, for service in Korea and Manchuria, special articles of uniform are issued.
consists of a blue kepi, of French pattern ; the guards and military police wear a red kepi: a blue frock-coat, with gold collar, around which runs a coloured band, denoting the arm; gold aiguillettes from the right shoulder are worn by Generals and General Staff Officers; blue trousers, with a broad stripe down the outside of each leg of a colour to denote the arm of the service ; military police wear red trousers. Cavalry officers wear a blue tunic, blue breeches and black butcher boots. Cavalry of the Guard wear red breeches.
Dismounted officers wear a green shade; the winter uniform is made of thick nap cloth of rather hard texture, the summer cloth is a light but rather coarse gabardine. The cap and jacket are of German pattern, the breeches button below the knee. Puttees also are worn. Mounted officers wear uniform as for dismounted officers except that long "pull-on" black boots are worn instead of puttees and ankle boots. Non-commissioned officers and men wear khaki serge, the jacket, trousers and puttees similar to the British pattern. Officers wear an armless cloak of khaki serge reaching to the knee. A hood is attached to go over the cap when required. Officers' greatcoats are similar to the British pattern in 1914, but slightly shorter. They are double breasted. The steel helmet is similar to the British pattern but heavier. It is dome-shaped with no back shield, giving a cap like appearance. It is painted a sandy brown colour. It is not issued in peace. The gas mask is a British small box respirator with modifications suitable to the build of the Japanese soldier and his volume of respiration ; is not issued in peace-time.