"May Your Military Fortunes Be Long Lasting"

Collector Interview #5

Today we will be talking to Paul Garnier about how and when he first became interested in collecting Japanese military relics.  More specifically we will ask about his interest in Good Luck and related Japanese flags of the World War Two period. I have known Paul since at least 2006, where we met on one … Read more

Collector Interview #4

Today we will be talking with Jareth Holub.  Jareth is known primarily as a Japanese Navy and Army head gear collector, although he has an extensive collection of Japanese militaria as well.  He has a knack for acquiring many rare items for his collection.  His comments and observations are often read by those who frequent … Read more

Collector Interview #3

Today, I would like to introduce you to Japanese samurai sword collector, Chuck Scarl.  I first met Chuck about ten years ago at one of the two large collector’s shows in the United States.  At the time, he was interested in unusual Japanese good luck signed flags and senninbari belts with custom painted art on … Read more

Collector Interview #2

Today we will be speaking with Tom Prall in our series of collector interviews.  I have known Tom for quite some time, having first met over the subject of Japanese good luck flags and senninbari/stitch belts, what else!  Tom’s Japanese World War Two collecting interests take into account a number of popular categories as well … Read more

Camouflage and Non-Standard Painted Japanese Type 90 Steel Helmet for the Army and Navy

“I imagine good teaching as a circle of earnest people sitting down to ask each other meaningful questions.  I don’t see it as the handing down of answers.  So much of what passes for teaching is merely a pointing out of what items to want.” Alice Walker “The strongest human instinct is to impart information, … Read more

Collector Interview #1

“Today we will be talking to John Egger of White Tiger Military about how he first established an interest in collecting Japanese military relics of the World War Two period. Over the years, John has acquired an enormous amount of knowledge in the area of Japanese headgear and is often the go-to-guy when it comes … Read more

Good Luck Flag Historical Study

(I wrote this article for the Japanese military collector journal, “Banzai”. I recently updated it and have posted it to FOWM.) Nearly every collector or dealer of World War Two era Imperial Japanese militaria is familiar with the good luck signed national flag (hinomaru yosegaki). Along with the samurai sword, the profusely decorated Japanese character … Read more