WW2 Japanese Navy Private Purchase Spats – Leggings

This is a pair of unique Japanese World War II navy ground force, aka Special Naval Landing Force, base defense force, guard force, leggings. These wrap-up, lightweight tropical cotton leggings have old style spats at the bottom, with typical wrap up cotton bodies  with tie tapes. There are no visible markings. Japanese naval officers were expected to do land-based duties. Not only did they have the white and black ship-board uniforms, but they also were required to purchase green land based uniforms. For those officers who did not purchase black knee-length boots, they simply wore their shipboard shoes with these wrap-up leggings or leather leggings. These appear to be private purchase leggings, which is correct as most military officers had to buy their own uniforms from private manufacturers rather than having issue closing. You also see pictures of Japanese Navy landing, force sailors, and petty officers wearing the style of leggings. This style of leggings was probably preferred because it covered more of the top of the boot and wrapped underneath the instep of the boot, thereby keeping more dirt, mud, and muck out of their boots. Finally, because these are made of lightweight cotton rather than heavy wool, they would be more suitable for wear in hot weather environments such as in the pacific Southeast Asia, Burma, India, and China.