Original Imperial Japanese WWII Navy Admiral’s Chapeau in Original Case - Koasayu

Original Item. Only One Available. The Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II, at the beginning of the Pacific War in December 1941, was the third most powerful navy in the world, and the naval air service was one of the most potent air forces in the world. During the first six months of the war, the Imperial Japanese Navy enjoyed spectacular success inflicting heavy defeats on Allied forces, being undefeated in every battle. The attack on Pearl Harbor crippled the battleships of the US Pacific Fleet, while Allied navies were devastated during Japan's conquest of Southeast Asia. Japanese Navy aircraft operating from land bases were also responsible for the sinkings of HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse which was the first time that capital ships were sunk by aerial attack while underway. In April 1942, the Indian Ocean raid drove the Royal Navy from South East Asia. After these successes, the Japanese now concentrated on the elimination and neutralization of strategic points from where the Allies could launch counter offensives against Japan's conquests. However, at Coral Sea the Japanese were forced to abandon their attempts to isolate Australia while the defeat at Midway saw them forced on the defensive. The campaign in the Solomon Islands, in which the Japanese lost the war of attrition, was the most decisive; they had failed to commit enough forces in sufficient time.

This is a very well-preserved Imperial Japanese Navy Admiral’s Bicorne Chapeau Aft hat in its original transit case. The hat has bullion and fringe embellishments and a single Japanese Navy button within several layers of fringe on one side. The original elastic chinstrap is retained, rare to see. The interior has a lovely red silk lining and oilcloth sweatband. The size is roughly 6 ¾.

The original transit case has a small tag below the lock with two anchors and Kanji translating to “Koasayu”, possibly the name of the Naval Officer or the maker. The latches still work fine and the lock supposedly works, but we haven’t tested it as we don’t have the key. There is a partial sticker on the lid with the Flag of Japan, and the carrying handle is intact although it is heavily crazed and cracking, so we don’t recommend handling it.

The case retains the interior hard lacquered red cover to help the hat keep its shape. This was meant to support a set of epaulettes but they are absent. The interior of the lid has a maker’s logo for Suzuki… Sakurasa Tokyo, but the label is partially torn. There are some torn and loose pieces inside the case.

An outstanding Japanese Navy Admiral’s bicorne in its original case, ready for further research and display.