Ranks of the Imperial Japanese Army

Last updated

Imperial Japanese Army uniforms and ranks during World War II (US Army poster) WW2 Japanese Army Uniforms Rank insignia Collar patches ornaments Poster chart 1944 US Government National Archives NARA Unrestricted Public domain 44-pa-1139 cropped.jpg
Imperial Japanese Army uniforms and ranks during World War II (US Army poster)

The Ranks of the Imperial Japanese Army were the rank insignia of the Imperial Japanese Army, used from its creation in 1868, until its dissolution in 1945 following the Surrender of Japan in World War II.

Contents

The officer rank names were used for both the Imperial Japanese Army and Imperial Japanese Navy, the only distinction being the placement of the word Rikugun (army) or Kaigun (navy) before the rank. Thus, for example, a captain in the navy shared the same rank designation as that of a colonel in the army: Taisa (colonel), so the rank of Rikugun Taisa denoted an army colonel, while the rank of Kaigun daisa denoted a naval captain.

Meiji 19 insignia

Officer ranks

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

Rank groupGeneral / flag officersSenior officersJunior officersOfficer cadet
Sleeve insignia
(1868–1904) [1]
Imperial Japanese Army OF-9 * cuff insignia (M1886 Dark Blue Uniform).png Imperial Japanese Army OF-8 * cuff insignia (M1886 Dark Blue Uniform).png Imperial Japanese Army OF-7 * cuff insignia (M1886 Dark Blue Uniform).png Imperial Japanese Army OF-5 * cuff insignia (M1886 Dark Blue Uniform).png Imperial Japanese Army OF-4 * cuff insignia (M1886 Dark Blue Uniform).png Imperial Japanese Army OF-3 * cuff insignia (M1886 Dark Blue Uniform).png Imperial Japanese Army OF-2 * cuff insignia (M1886 Dark Blue Uniform).png Imperial Japanese Army OF-1b * cuff insignia (M1886 Dark Blue Uniform).png Imperial Japanese Army OF-1a * cuff insignia (M1886 Dark Blue Uniform).png Imperial Japanese Army OR-1 * cuff insignia (M1886 Dark Blue Uniform).png
陸軍大将
Rikugun-Taishō
陸軍中将
Rikugun-Chūjō
陸軍少将
Rikugun-Shōshō
陸軍大佐
Rikugun-Taisa
陸軍中佐
Rikugun-Chūsa
陸軍少佐
Rikugun-Shōsa
陸軍大尉
Rikugun-Tai-i
陸軍中尉
Rikugun-Chūi
陸軍少尉
Rikugun-Shōi
准士官・下副官
Junsikan·Kafukukan

English
translation
General Lieutenant general Major general Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Second lieutenant Warrant officer · Adjutant 

Other ranks

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted
Sleeve insignia
(1868–1904) [1]
Imperial Japanese Army OR-9 * cuff insignia (M1886 Dark Blue Uniform).png Imperial Japanese Army OR-6 * cuff insignia - line (M1886 Dark Blue Uniform).png Imperial Japanese Army OR-5 * cuff insignia - guard (M1886 Dark Blue Uniform).png Imperial Japanese Army OR-4 * cuff insignia - guard (M1886 Dark Blue Uniform).png Imperial Japanese Army OR-3 * cuff insignia - line (M1886 Dark Blue Uniform).png Imperial Japanese Army OR-2 * cuff insignia (M1886 Dark Blue Uniform).png
曹長
Sōchō
一等軍曹
(近衛)

Ittō-Gunsō (Konoe)
二等軍曹
Nitō-Gunsō
上等兵
Jōtō-Hei
一等兵
(近衛)

Ittō-Hei (Konoe)
二等兵
Nitō-Hei

English
translation
Sergeant major Sergeant first class
(Guard)
Sergeant 2nd class Superior private Private first class
(Guard)
Private 2nd class

Cap badges

Commissioned officer ranks

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

Rank groupGeneral / flag officersSenior officersJunior officersOfficer cadet
Title大元帥陸軍大将
Daigensui-rikugun-taishō
陸軍大将
Rikugun-taishō [lower-alpha 1]
陸軍中将
Rikugun-chūjō
陸軍少将
Rikugun-shōshō
陸軍大佐
Rikugun-taisa
陸軍中佐
Rikugun-chūsa
陸軍少佐
Rikugun-shōsa
陸軍大尉
Rikugun-tai-i
陸軍中尉
Rikugun-chūi
陸軍少尉
Rikugun-shōi
准尉
Jun-i
Translation [2] Commander-in-chief General Lieutenant general Major general Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Second lieutenant Warrant officer
Showa 13
(1938)
Japan-army-1938-1945 17-1-.gif Japan-army-1938-1945 16-1-.gif Japan-army-1938-1945 15-1-.gif Japan-army-1938-1945 14-1-.gif Japan-army-1938-1945 13-1-.gif Japan-army-1938-1945 12-1-.gif Japan-army-1938-1945 11-1-.gif Japan-army-1938-1945 10-1-.gif Japan-army-1938-1945 09-1-.gif Japan-army-1938-1945 08-1-.gif
Showa 18 [2]
(1943)
Generalissimo collar rank insignia (Japan).png Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jin Zhang --Da Jiang .svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jin Zhang --Zhong Jiang .svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jin Zhang --Shao Jiang .svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jin Zhang --Da Zuo .svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jin Zhang --Zhong Zuo .svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jin Zhang --Shao Zuo .svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jin Zhang --Da Wei .svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jin Zhang --Zhong Wei .svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jin Zhang --Shao Wei .svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jin Zhang --Zhun Wei .svg
Shoulder Generalissimo rank insignia (Japan).png Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jian Zhang --Da Jiang .svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jian Zhang --Zhong Jiang .svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jian Zhang --Shao Jiang .svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jian Zhang --Da Zuo .svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jian Zhang --Zhong Zuo .svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jian Zhang --Shao Zuo .svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jian Zhang --Da Wei .svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jian Zhang --Zhong Wei .svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jian Zhang --Shao Wei .svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jian Zhang --Zhun Wei .svg
Sleeve [2] Japan-Army-OF-9 Sleeve (1943-1945).svg Japan-Army-OF-8 Sleeve (1943-1945).svg Japan-Army-OF-7 Sleeve (1943-1945).svg Japan-Army-OF-5 Sleeve (1943-1945).svg Japan-Army-OF-4 Sleeve (1943-1945).svg Japan-Army-OF-3 Sleeve (1943-1945).svg Japan-Army-OF-2 Sleeve (1943-1945).svg Japan-Army-OF-1b Sleeve (1943-1945).svg Japan-Army-OF-1a Sleeve (1943-1945).svg Japan-Army-OF-(D) Sleeve (1943-1945).svg

Other ranks

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

Rank groupNon-commissioned officersEnlisted personnel
Title曹長
(Sōchō)
軍曹
(Gunsō)
伍長
(Gochō)
兵長
(Heichō)
伍長勤務上等兵
(Gochō Kinmu jōtōhei)
上等兵
(Jōtōhei)
一等兵
(Ittōhei)
二等兵
(Nitōhei)
三等兵
(Santōhei)
Translation [2] Sergeant major Sergeant Corporal Lance corporal Superior privatePrivate first classPrivate second classPrivate
Collar [2] Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jin Zhang --Cao Chang .svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jin Zhang --Jun Cao .svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jin Zhang --Wu Chang .svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jin Zhang --Bing Chang .svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jin Zhang --Shang Deng Bing .svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jin Zhang --Yi Deng Bing .svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jin Zhang --Er Deng Bing .svg Blank.svg
Shoulder Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jian Zhang --Cao Chang .svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jian Zhang --Jun Cao .svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jian Zhang --Wu Chang .svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jian Zhang --Bing Chang (2).svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jian Zhang --Shang Deng Bing .svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jian Zhang --Yi Deng Bing .svg Di Guo Lu Jun noJie Ji --Jian Zhang --Er Deng Bing .svg Blank.svg

See also

Notes

  1. Same rank insignia used for the Gensui-rikugun-taishō (元帥陸軍大将), worn with an additional badge.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military rank</span> Element of hierarchy in armed forces

Military ranks are a system of hierarchical relationships, within armed forces, police, intelligence agencies or other institutions organized along military lines. The military rank system defines dominance, authority, and responsibility in a military hierarchy. It incorporates the principles of exercising power and authority into the military chain of command—the succession of commanders superior to subordinates through which command is exercised. The military chain of command constructs an important component for organized collective action.

Military ranks and rank insignia of Norway were changed June 1, 2016, with the reintroduction of the Non-Commissioned Officer Corps, and the abolishment of the one-tier officer system in place since 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Russian military ranks</span> Aspect of history

Modern Russian military ranks trace their roots to the Table of Ranks established by Peter the Great. Most of the rank names were borrowed from existing German/Prussian, French, English, Dutch, and Polish ranks upon the formation of the Russian regular army in the late 17th century.

The comparative military ranks of Korea are the military insignia used by the two nations on the Korean Peninsula, those being the Republic of Korea Armed Forces and the Korean People's Army of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The United States Forces Korea personnel wear the ranks and insignia used by other service personnel of the United States Armed Forces in the territories of the United States.

The Military ranks of Finland are the military insignia used by the Finnish Defence Forces. The ranks incorporates features from Swedish, German, and Russian armed forces. In addition, the system has some typically Finnish characteristics that are mostly due to the personnel structure of the Finnish Defence Forces. The ranks have official names in Finnish and Swedish languages and official English translations. The Swedish forms are used in all Swedish-languages communications in Finland, e.g. in Swedish-speaking units of Finnish Defence Force. The system of ranks in the Swedish Armed Forces is slightly different.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ranks of the Imperial Japanese Navy</span>

The Ranks of the Imperial Japanese Navy were the rank insignia of the Imperial Japanese Navy, used from its creation in 1868, until its dissolution in 1945 following the Surrender of Japan in World War II. The ranks were inspired by the ranks of the Royal Navy.

The Ranks and insignia of the Japan Self-Defense Forces are the military insignia used by the Japan Self-Defense Forces.

The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) uses a simplified ranking system for the three branches of Indonesian Army, Indonesian Navy and Indonesian Air Force. Most of the ranks are similar with differences for the rank titles of the high-ranking officers. Exception exists, however, in the ranks of the service members of the Indonesian Marine Corps. While Indonesian Marine Corps is a branch of the Navy, the rank titles of the Marine Corps are the same as those of the Army, but it still uses the Navy's style insignia.

The Military ranks of South Korea are the military insignia used by the Republic of Korea Armed Forces. Due to the close military cooperation and the presence of the United States Forces Korea, South Korean ranks are inspired by the United States.

The Military ranks of the Netherlands armed forces are the military insignia used by the armed forces of the Netherlands.

The Military ranks of the Republic of China are the ranks used by the Republic of China Armed Forces. The official military rank names in Traditional Chinese are identical across all different military branches, but their English translations may be different.

The rank insignia of the federal armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany indicate rank and branch of service in the German Army, German Air Force, or the German Navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uniforms and insignia of the Kriegsmarine</span> Uniforms and insignia of the German navy during World War II

The Kriegsmarine was the navy of Nazi Germany prior to and during World War II. Kriegsmarine uniform design followed that of the preexisting Reichsmarine, itself based on that of the First World War Kaiserliche Marine. Kriegsmarine styles of uniform and insignia had many features in common with those of other European navies, all derived from the British Royal Navy of the 19th century, such as officers' frock coats, sleeve braid, and the "sailor suit" uniform for enlisted personnel and petty officers.

Ranks and insignia of the Russian Federation's armed forces from 1994 to 2010 were affected by the disintegration of the former Soviet armed forces, and there were other changes in insignia design when the newly established Russian Federation came into existence. The ranks depicted below were replaced with those adopted by decree № 293 of the President of the Russian Federation on 11 March 2010. The transition began with the issue of new military uniforms to the armed services in 2008 in the Moscow area and in 2010 nationwide. The ranks of marshal of the branch and chief marshal were officially abolished as a result of the 1994 regulations.

The Military ranks of the Kingdom of Italy were the military insignia used by the Italian Armed Forces when Italy was the Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946). During the World Wars, the Carabinieri, as the then-most senior corps of the Army, wore similar insignia to those used by the rest of the service.

The Military ranks of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia were the military insignia used by the Royal Yugoslav Armed Forces. It replaced the ranks of the Kingdom of Serbia following the unification of the Kingdom of Serbia into Kingdom SHS. After the proclamation of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the ranks were replaced by the Yugoslav People's Army ranks.

The military ranks and insignia of Chile are the military insignia used by the Chilean Armed Forces.

The Military ranks of the Kingdom of Hungary were the military insignia used by the Kingdom of Hungary. Following the fall of the monarchy, the ranks were replaced with those of the Hungarian People's Army.

The Military ranks of the Kingdom of Romania were the military insignia used by the Kingdom of Romania. Following the abolition of the monarchy, the ranks were replaced with those of the Socialist Republic of Romania.

The Military ranks of the Kingdom of Bulgaria were the military insignia used by the Kingdom of Bulgaria. Following the abolition of the monarchy, the ranks were also changed.

References

Citations
  1. 1 2 Nakanishi 2001, pp. 49–50.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Mollo 2001, p. 180.
Bibliography