{"product_id":"original-imperial-japanese-army-pre-wwii-wwii-showa-5-aluminum-canteen-with-canvas-harness-dated-1932-named-to-masaru-miyazaki","title":"Original Imperial Japanese Army Pre-WWII \/ WWII Shōwa 5 Aluminum Canteen with Canvas Harness – Dated 1932 \u0026 Named to Masaru Miyazaki","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. Only One Available. This is a very nice original Imperial Japanese Army \u003cb\u003eShōwa 5 (1930)\u003c\/b\u003e pattern aluminum water canteen, complete with its olive-brown painted body, khaki cotton web carrying harness, adjustable shoulder strap, and early-pattern aluminum and cork stopper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe canteen is constructed from lightweight aluminum with the characteristic flattened, oval-shaped body and narrow neck. It retains its olive-brown finish and fitted cotton web harness, which secures the canteen through horizontal and vertical retaining straps. The adjustable shoulder sling is attached to the harness by metal fittings, while the stopper consists of a natural cork plug with an aluminum cap and integral suspension ring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf particular importance, the underside retains the Japanese \u003cb\u003eShōwa 7 (昭七)\u003c\/b\u003e date marking, corresponding to \u003cb\u003e1932\u003c\/b\u003e, the seventh year of Emperor Hirohito's reign. The date is accompanied by additional rectangular manufacturing or inspection markings, including Japanese characters and circular stamped devices. This establishes the canteen body as an early production example dating from the years preceding Japan's full-scale war with China in 1937.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother particularly desirable feature is the hand-stitched Japanese name on the cotton shoulder strap, executed in dark thread:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eミヤザキマサル\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eMiyazaki Masaru\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, or Masaru Miyazaki, following Western name order. The inscription is written phonetically in katakana, with Miyazaki representing the family name and Masaru the given name. The identity and military assignment of the individual associated with the inscription remain undetermined.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe canteen remains in very good overall condition, displaying expected age and service wear. Much of the olive-brown finish survives, with scattered scratches and surface abrasions. The cotton web harness remains intact and exhibits age toning, soiling, and localized fraying. The aluminum stopper cap displays oxidation and surface pitting, while the cork shows cracking, darkening, and wear from age. Both the early date marking and the hand-stitched personal inscription remain distinguishable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHistorical Context\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Imperial Japanese Army adopted the Shōwa 5 pattern water canteen in 1930, during a period of modernization and expansion of its infantry equipment. Known in Japanese as the \u003ci\u003eShōwa Go-shiki Suitō\u003c\/i\u003e (昭五式水筒), it became a standard component of the Japanese soldier's field equipment throughout the 1930s and remained in widespread service during WWII.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pattern was developed to meet the practical requirements of infantrymen who frequently traveled considerable distances on foot while carrying their weapons, ammunition, rations, and personal belongings. Its lightweight aluminum construction and shoulder-slung carrying arrangement made it suitable for prolonged marches and field operations. The canteen's capacity of approximately one liter provided an individual supply of drinking water, which soldiers replenished whenever suitable sources became available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Shōwa 5 canteen entered service at a time when the Japanese Army was becoming increasingly involved in military operations on the Asian mainland. Following the Mukden Incident in September 1931, Japanese forces occupied Manchuria, establishing the puppet state of Manchukuo in 1932. The Army subsequently maintained substantial forces throughout the region, where soldiers faced demanding conditions during extended patrols, marches, and garrison duties. The date of 1932 places this particular canteen within the early years of this expansion, although its individual service history remains unknown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs Japanese military commitments expanded, the Army increasingly relied upon established equipment patterns that could be manufactured and distributed in large quantities. The Shōwa 5 canteen remained in production through a period of considerable change, with wartime shortages eventually affecting the materials used in its construction. Aluminum became increasingly important to the Japanese aircraft industry and other military production, encouraging the adoption of alternative materials and simplified equipment designs. Canteen stoppers and carrying arrangements also underwent changes as manufacturers adapted to wartime requirements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the outbreak of full-scale war between Japan and China in July 1937, the demands placed upon Japanese infantry equipment increased considerably. Soldiers operated across extensive stretches of the Chinese mainland, often in areas where roads, transportation facilities, and reliable water supplies were limited. Supplying troops during these operations required considerable logistical support, particularly when formations advanced beyond established supply routes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe situation became more difficult following the expansion of the war into the Pacific in December 1941. Japanese forces were deployed across Southeast Asia, New Guinea, and numerous Pacific islands, encountering tropical heat, heavy rainfall, mountainous terrain, and dense jungle. Access to safe drinking water was a persistent concern, especially during prolonged marches and operations in isolated areas. Waterborne diseases and the difficulty of maintaining adequate supplies further complicated the daily lives of soldiers serving in these environments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Japanese Army continued to use equipment manufactured during the prewar years alongside later wartime production. Consequently, early-issued field gear could remain in service for considerable periods, depending on its condition and the circumstances of the individual soldier or unit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePersonal identification markings were a common practical addition to Japanese military equipment. Soldiers frequently marked their belongings with names or other identifying information, particularly when living and operating in close quarters. Fabric straps and clothing provided convenient places for inscriptions, which could be applied in ink or sewn directly into the material. Katakana was frequently used to represent names phonetically, allowing personal information to be recorded without requiring the corresponding kanji characters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe hand-stitched name \u003ci\u003eMiyazaki Masaru\u003c\/i\u003e is a particularly interesting surviving detail. It identifies an individual associated with the canteen's carrying equipment, preserving a personal connection to an otherwise standardized article of military issue. The name provides a possible starting point for further historical research into its former owner, although the inscription alone cannot establish his military service or whereabouts during the war.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45998109360197,"sku":"ONSV26CC108","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26CC108__01.jpg?v=1791914490","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-imperial-japanese-army-pre-wwii-wwii-showa-5-aluminum-canteen-with-canvas-harness-dated-1932-named-to-masaru-miyazaki","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}