Japanese Military Uniforms 1841–1929

This volume in the Asia@War Series offers a fascinating look at the development of Japanese military uniforms during one of the most transformative periods in Japan’s history. Covering the years from the late Tokugawa era through to the early twentieth century, the book traces how Japan’s armed forces evolved visually and structurally as the country modernised and emerged as a major military power.

One of the most interesting sections focuses on the final decades of the Shogunate. Here the author explores the mix of traditional Japanese dress and early Western military influence that began appearing in the 1840s and 1850s. These uniforms reflect a military establishment in transition, experimenting with foreign styles while still rooted in older traditions.

The book then moves into the dramatic changes that followed the Meiji Restoration. During this period Japan rapidly restructured its military along European lines, and the uniforms documented here show clear influences from French and later German designs. Nakanishi does a good job highlighting how these imported styles were adapted to Japanese needs, producing distinctive uniforms that blended Western military fashion with local practicality.

Another key section covers the period around the Russo-Japanese War. By this point Japan had developed a professional modern army, and the uniforms illustrated in the book reflect a force that had come into its own. Field uniforms, parade dress, and specialist equipment are all examined, showing the increasing sophistication of the Japanese military establishment.

Visually, the book is one of the strongest entries in the series. The numerous and detailed colour illustrations provide clear views of different ranks, branches, and uniform variations. For readers interested in military history, wargaming, or historical modelling, these plates are particularly useful for understanding how uniforms changed over time.

Overall, this is a concise but informative study that successfully captures the evolution of Japanese military dress from the twilight of the samurai age to the modern army of the early twentieth century. Accessible and lavishly illustrated, it’s an enjoyable and useful reference for anyone interested in the military history of Japan. 

Of course, this volume will be invaluable for anyone motivated by my recent reviews of Sunstruck Giant, covering the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 to dig deep into the uniforms of the Japanese armed forces. I include myself in that category......

ISBN: 978-1-804517-73-4                        88 Pages                          Paperback

The Russian History of the War of 1813, Vol 2

 

This large second volume of Modest Ivanovich Bogdanovich’s The Russian History of the War of 1813 carries on the job of telling the story of the campaign from a point of view we don’t get nearly often enough. A lot of the credit has to go to Peter G. A. Phillips’ translation, which manages to keep the nineteenth century feel of the original without making it heavy or hard work to read.

One of the book’s biggest strengths is how clearly Bogdanovich explains events that are often rushed through or told mainly from French or German perspectives. Here, the Russian side of the story really comes to the fore. He walks the reader through movements, decisions, and mistakes in a calm, straightforward way, which makes the whole account feel measured and trustworthy. There is no chest beating or drama for its own sake—just a solid attempt to explain what happened and why.

The detail on operations is where the book really shines. Bogdanovich gets into the nuts and bolts of coalition warfare, showing how awkward and fragile alliances could be, and how much effort went into keeping them together. He is also very good on logistics, making it clear just how much supply problems, coordination, and sheer exhaustion shaped the campaign. Along the way, you get brief but useful glimpses of the people involved too—commanders juggling competing interests, officers adapting on the fly, and armies trying to recover after years of hard fighting.

The translation makes all of this easy to follow without sanding off the book’s original character. It still feels very much like a Russian military history written in the nineteenth century, but never in a way that feels dated or awkward. Notes and explanations are kept to a sensible minimum and tend to help rather than distract.

As one has come to expect from Helion’s Reason to Revolution series, the book itself is well put together. The maps are clear, the illustrations are relevant, and the overall presentation supports the text without turning it into something overly academic or intimidating.

If like me you are interested in the later Napoleonic Wars, coalition warfare, or Russian military history more generally, this volume is well worth your time. It fills in a lot of gaps, offers a perspective that is often pushed into the background, and does so in a way that is detailed, balanced, and genuinely engaging.

From Reason to Revolution 1722–1815 No. 156

ISBN: 978-1-804518-21-2 550 Pages Paperback

Sino-Japanese War 1894–1895

 

John Dong’s hefty second volume of Sunstruck Giant, The Sino-Japanese War of 1894–1895 is a confident, clear-eyed continuation that picks up exactly where the first left off—immersing the reader in the closing stages of the First Sino-Japanese War with the same calm authority, sharp detail, and unshowy narrative control that made volume 1 such a pleasant surprise.

Where the first volume established the foundations such as structures, doctrines, and the contrasting cultures of two late-nineteenth-century militaries, the second moves decisively into the meat of the campaign. Dong analyses the war’s later operations with an admirable balance: he neither romanticises nor ridicules either side, and instead opts for a measured assessment grounded firmly in contemporary sources. It feels refreshingly even-handed.

The real strength of this volume is how Dong explains both success and failure without resorting to simple caricatures. Japanese efficiency is not portrayed as an inevitability, nor is Qing collapse treated as pre-ordained. Instead, Dong takes the reader through the unravelling of systems—logistics under strain, command structures buckling, political interference compounding battlefield weaknesses. His analysis of decision-making at the operational level is one of the book’s real highlights.

As in the first volume, the battles are described cleanly and without clutter. There is enough tactical detail to give the wargamer or military historian something to chew on, but never so much that the wider picture becomes obscured. The final chapters, dealing with the campaign’s aftermath and the broader consequences for East Asia, are particularly effective—crisp, confident, and never slipping into textbook detachment.

Production-wise, Helion continue to play to their strengths. The maps are clear, the colour plates are as one would expect, being vividly colourful and full of action. The black and white illustrations are numerous and well chosen, and the overall presentation supports rather than overwhelms the narrative.

In short, this volume is a worthy continuation of what the first started: a thoughtful, well-constructed, and highly readable account of a war that deserves far more attention than it has traditionally received. Dong closes out his study with assurance and insight, making this pair of volumes an easy recommendation for anyone interested in late-Qing military history, Meiji Japan, or the shifting balance of power that shaped modern East Asia.

ISBN:978-1-806721-53-5 430 Pages Paperback

Blitzkreig’s Got Talent🎹🎹🎵🎶🎼

Another little bit of fun – 3D resin prints. The guy singing is actually a spare gunner I found on my desk. 

I really MUST make a start on my French cavalry (11th Cuirassiers). With dismounts for everything they look a little daunting but to be honest there wont be much to them as and when I slap some paint on. 

Then, hopefully. by the end of the month I might have lost the urge to paint up zillions of my remaining 1940 French, British and Germans and start on my 'secret' project (it'll be a choice of three).

The Spanish Passion

 

The Spanish Passion: A Wargamer’s Guide to the Spanish Civil War 1936–1939 is the latest entry in the Helion Wargames series. Authors Rob Anderson and Javier G. de Gabiola tackle a complex and ideologically charged conflict with clarity and focus, producing a guide that is both accessible and practical.

The text is well structured and written with the wargamer firmly in mind. Historical and political context is succinct, providing necessary background without overwhelming the reader. Coverage of equipment (very comprehensive) and unit organisation is clear and precise, offering the level of detailed useful for informed gaming decisions.

The book is visually impressive, featuring ten original colour plates supported by contemporary photographs that effectively reinforce the text and convey the wide variation in uniforms and appearance typical of the conflict.

A selection of engaging scenarios, largely drawn from larger battles, adds practical value. The painting section includes a detailed and illustrated step-by-step guide for Nationalist Moorish regulars and International Brigade troops, alongside a broader overview covering other forces such as Carlists, Falangists, the Foreign Legion, and regular units on both sides. The volume concludes with a list of figure manufacturers and a comprehensive bibliography.

Overall, I think the authors have done a pretty good job, and my thoughts are that this is a colourful, clear, well-presented introduction and a highly usable gaming resource. It succeeds in explaining a complex war with discipline and balance, making it a strong addition to the Helion Wargames series. 

ISBN: 978-1-804510-11-7                158 Pages               Paperback

Birth of the Byzangine Army Volume 2

Philippe Richardot’s second volume on the Birth of the Byzantine Army 476CE to 641CE, features as the fourth instalment in Helion’s new yet already distinguished series ‘A Time of Knights 400CE – 1453CE’, and offers a compelling and meticulously researched exploration of the early Byzantine Army. The work distinguishes itself by its ability to captivate the reader – it did me! What begins as a casual perusal swiftly evolves into an immersive experience, drawing the reader deep into the intricacies of Byzantine military practice.

A central focus of this volume is the operational methodology of the Byzantine forces. Richardot explains the army’s battlefield strategies, their responses to formidable adversaries, and the underlying factors that contributed to the army’s resilience during a period when much of the Roman world was in decline. The author’s approach to explaining tactics and troop types is notably accessible and forms a dynamic narrative. The depiction of cavalry manoeuvres, infantry formations, and the challenges faced by generals conveys a vivid sense of movement and urgency, rendering the Byzantine Army as a living entity rather than a static historical subject. The book delves into the specific manoeuvres employed by Byzantine cavalry and infantry, highlighting the adaptability and discipline that allowed the army to confront diverse threats. There are also detailed descriptions of various troop categories, including cataphracts and infantry, which are provided with attention to their equipment, roles, and effectiveness in combat.

The visual component of the book is equally noteworthy. The inclusion of eight pages of colour plates, complemented by black and white illustrations, pencil drawings, and detailed maps, serves to enhance the reader’s understanding of the soldiers’ roles and actions. The cataphracts are portrayed with an appropriate sense of intimidation, while the infantry are depicted as resolute and purposeful. These illustrations are not only valuable to wargamers and painters, but also to those with a general interest in military history, offering both visual enjoyment and practical insight.

In summary, Richardot’s volume is characterised by its approachability and engaging style. It revitalises the study of early Byzantine warfare, presenting it in a manner that is neither overly academic nor burdensome. Instead, it provides a thoroughly enjoyable and informative journey through the complexities of a fascinating army during a pivotal era in history.

ISBN: 978-1-804518-48-9 311 Pages Paperback

More 1940 miscellany

 This week I managed to complete a few random and largely unexciting Fall of France items. In my present 'wounded' situation I find it easy to knock off a few 1/72 bits and bobs if I pace myself.

German horse-drawn limbers (Early War Miniatures)

Renault Chenillette UE Tractor and 25mm AT gun - these are destined for my Moroccan Tirailleurs. (EWM)

An assortment of carts. The MG cart at the back and one other will be attached to my horsed cavalry regiment (next in the queue, in theory at least). (EWM).

An AMR35 Command Tank. This is a plastic kit from 'Forced to Fight' (I think, as I threw the instructions and packaging out brefore putting it together). This will be added to my Dragoon Portée regiment.

French High Command. Im not sure who or what they will end up commanding but they look suitably grim-faced and miserable. These are resin 3D prints.

Feeling somewhat isolated as I am neither up to putting a game or taking part in one still. Some improvement over the past week thankfully.