Japanese WWII IJN 1942 Pattern Leading Seaman 1st Class Rate

Original era manufacture. Introduced in 1942 to replace the more complicated round rating system. These rates were worn on both the IJN Square Rig uniform and the green NLF field uniform and used a system of small colored cherry blossoms to indicate the wearers military specialty. Black cotton shield with yellow cotton embroidered triple bar and anchor. At the time of our purchase this rate was missing its yellow service branch blossom, we installed one from a small cache of originals here in the office.