Japanese Primary School Uniform Styles: Prussian Cadet Uniform


Figure 1.--The Prussian cadet style uniform was widely worn at Japanese secondary schools. It was wotn at primary schools as well, but only by a few schools. The only difference between the primary and secondary school was yhat the younger boys had a short pants uniform.

Some primary schools before the War had Prussian cadet uniforms and a few continued to use this style after the War. The uniform was based on the Prussian cadet uniforms of the late 19th century. At this time Prussia/Imperial Germany was playing a major role inorganizing the modern Imperial Army in Japan. (At the same time the British Royal Navy was helping to train the Imperial Navy and this is reflected in the sailor suits adopted for girls' school uniforms.) .Only a few private schools used it. The cadet uniforms, however, were never very popular for primary schools. We do not have any precise numbers on the extent to whih the uniform was used a primary schools. It was seen as more appropriate for secondary-level students. It was extensively worn at both junior high and senior high schools. The uniform was virtually identucal at both primary and secondary schools. It consisted of a military-style cadet cap, a navy blue high-collar cadet jacket and matching pants. The only major difference between the uniform worn at primary and secondary schools is thsat the primary school boys wore short pants. Some junior highs also had short pants until the 1970s. As far as we know the senior highschool students always wore long pants. Individual schools added minor details to customize their school's uniform.

Pre-World War II Uniforms

Some primary schools before the War had Prussian cadet uniforms and a few continued to use this style after the War.

Prussian Army Model

The uniform was based on the Prussian cadet uniforms of the late 19th century. At this time Prussia/Imperial Germany was playing a major role inorganizing the modern Imperial Army in Japan. Mutsuhito became Emperor Meiji at age 15 years after the destruction of the Tokugawa shogunate (1867). A small group of advisers set out to revolutionize Japan. Japanese imptence when faced with American an other Western powers caused the Emperor's advisers to place a high priority on military modernization. The Government adopted universal conscription was adopted. The Government at first turned to the French Army presumably as a result of the Napoleonic tradition, but after France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War turned to Imperial Germany as a moden for the Japanese Imperial Army. The British Royal Navy was to be the model for Japan's Navy. Japanese officials strongly promoted Germany as a nation for Japan to emulate. There key officials were Aoki Shuzo, Katsura Taro, and Nogi Maresuke. Aoki Shuzo (1844-1914) was a senior Meiji diplomat. He was a son of a modestky successful physician who arranged for hiscson to study medicine in Prussia (1868). After arriving in Europe he decided to persue government and diplmacy rather than medicine. He also became a great admirer of Germany, especially Prussia. He seved in important diplmatic posts including ambassador to Germany and finally foreign minister. He also served as ambassador to the United States, but Prussia was his great love, insisting on speaking German at home and marrying thev daughter of a German aristocrat. Aoki lived 23 years in Germany. He played an important role in arranging for Prussian officers to train the Imperial Army. He like other Japanese were offened when France, Germany, and Russia demanding that Japan return the Liao-dong Peninsula to China after the Sino-Japanese War. (This became known as The Intervention by Three Countries and Japanese nationalists considered it as highly insulting.) Katsura Taro (1847-1913) studied military affairs in Germany from (1870-73). He became Vice Minister of the Army (1887). He played a key role in changed the organization of the Imperial Army from that based on the French Army to the German Army which was based on Prussia. Katsura became Minister of the Army and eventually served as Prime Minister three times. Katsura was close to Aoki even finding a husband for Aoki’s daughter Hanna. General Nogi Maresuke (1849-1912) was profounded affected when he studied military affairs in Germany.

Educational System

The Meji Government also gave considerable attention to reforming Japan'd educational system. Af first they chose the French system as a model, but later turned to Germany. Before the Meji era only a relativrly small portion of the population received formal schooling. One of the Meiji reforms was compulsory primary education.

Royal Navy Training

At the same time the British Royal Navy was helping to train the Imperial Navy and this is reflected in the sailor suits adopted for girls' school uniforms.) .Only a few private schools used it.

School Level

The cadet uniforms, however, were never very popular for primary schools. We do not have any precise numbers on the extent to whih the uniform was used a primary schools. It was seen as more appropriate for secondary-level students. It was extensively worn at both junior high and senior high schools.

Description

The uniform was virtually identical at both primary and secondary schools. It consisted of a military-style cadet cap, a navy blue high-collar cadet jacket and matching pants. The only major difference between the uniform worn at primary and secondary schools is thsat the primary school boys wore short pants. Some junior highs also had short pants until the 1970s. As far as we know the senior highschool students always wore long pants. Individual schools added minor details to customize their school's uniform.







HBC





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Created: May 10, 2004
Last updated: May 10, 2004