This past week I took a chance on an item listed as a Japanese raincoat and rain boots. I knew the boots were chemical protective boots due to having a half-sole and being made of what appeared to be the correct rubberized silk material. I bought the set for what I consider a stupid cheap price. Today I got the package and opened up the contents. I was right in my suspicion that the “raincoat” was actually a Japanese chemical protective suit set. These sets are incredibly rare, and to have the boots and carry case with it is almost unheard of.
The Japanese army fielded several different types of chemical protective suits but can generally be divided into two categories: light and heavy. Of the light sets produced, there are two types listed in the US Handbook on Japanese Military Forces from 1944. The first type is described as the “Cellophane Type”, made of rubberized silk fabric, and having a cellophane lining. The complete set is comprised of a jacket with attached hood, trousers, gloves, and protective over boots with half-soles. This set does not mention a carry case or bag.
The second type of light protective chemical suit is listed in the same publication as the “Casein Type” and is made of rubberized silk with a casein coating inside and out. Casein, also known as “milk protein,” was quite common at the turn of the century and was used in providing strength to cotton clothing and as a protective water-resistant coating. Casein fell out of use as true synthetic fabrics and coatings were discovered during the 19th century. The casein type set is listed as containing trousers, over boots, gloves, and carrying pouch. The handbook does not mention the inclusion of a jacket.
The set I received matches the handbook description for the casein type protective garment set and does not appear to have a cellophane inner lining. It lacks a jacket but does include the carry pouch; the same as described in the handbook. The carry pouch is labeled in Japanese as being a “Type 96 Gas Protection case”. Interestingly, the Handbook on Japanese Military Forces does not list the actual Japanese nomenclature for any of the protective suits listed. I suspect that interpreters were not present when research was being done on the actual items.
Overall, this set is in excellent condition with almost all of the components still remaining soft and pliable. The rubber soles of the over boots are rock hard, but this is common to Japanese rubber items from the second world war and wasn’t a surprise and does not detract from their value. Interestingly, the soles of the boots are labelled left and right in Kanji and are only of half-sole construction. The toes of combat boots are fitted inside the over boot while the heel has no cover. The over boots are secured by straps that feed through a buckle at the heel and a second set of straps that wrap around the mid-sole of the boot and around the ankle and then tied.
The trousers are basically normal pants with ties for the waist and two sets of ties on the lower leg. One set of ties just below the knee, and another set near the ankle. The crotch and knees have large areas of reenforcement for durability. There is a small, rubberized pocket on the right hip. While the exact purpose of this pocket isn’t explained in the handbook, I suspect it’s probably for holding decontamination tools such as wipes and cans of decontamination powder. Maybe it’s just a pocket and I’m thinking too much into it.
The gloves are a half-mitten type, with a thumb and trigger finger that extends up the arm to about the bicep. This design allows the user to continue using his rifle while being protected and protects the elbow when in the prone position. The open ends of the gloves have metal rings and are connected together
with a rubberized cord to prevent loss.
The carry case is somewhat hardened, common for this rubberized silk, but still opens just fine. There are areas where the rubberized coating is cracked and worn away revealing the silk underneath. The handbook does say that these are made of a silk construction, however; I suspect it may actually be made of Rayon, an early synthetic material whose fibers can closely resemble silk strands. Japan was
one of the worlds largest suppliers of Rayon before the Second World War and they did make use of the material during the war for other products. The carry pouch has two inner ties meant to help keep the contents inside, and two outer ties for closing the flap. The back of the pouch also has a belt loop for carrying. Based on the design of the pouch, it looks like it was meant to be carried on the belt on the right side of the body.
To me, being familiar with modern chemical protective suits, this is a strange design. Why only half-sole boots? You’re worried about the front of the boot becoming contaminated but not the heel? Also, why not include a jacket or cape? Maybe the type 96 protective set was intended for agents such as tear gas or other irritants where 100% coverage isn’t totally necessary, but where areas of your body such as hands and feet need to be protected. It is my assumption that if there was a risk of stronger, or life-threatening chemical agents such as mustard gas or blistering agents, then the heavier style of protective suit with fully enclosed boots and jacket would be used, in addition to the gas mask.