| ZAIGO GUNJINKAI is often translated as the Imperial Veteran's Association, but a more accurate translation would be Military Reservist's Association. It was a nationwide group that unified reservist groups, veteran groups, and martial associations. It was established in 1910. 'Independent on paper, the reservist association was in fact one of a growing number of semi-public voluntary organizations with administrative ties to the central government and financial support from local authorities.' From Japan's Total Empire (page 132) by Louise Young (1998). The membership badge is commonly found on cups. Since the association was huge, these kinds of cups are fairly common. However, some styles (like the one where the base is in the shape of the badge or cups with the enameled badges) are rare. The most common Zaigo Gunjinkai cups are lacquered wood and the porcelain raised badge cups. Click HERE to see some other military groups. |
| ZAIGO GUNJINKAI and other military groups |
| Common membership badge with original box. |
| Various membership badges. Although the common badge is often found on cups, these enameled badges are rarely seen (on cups). |
| Raised badge as a base on a kabuto cup. |
| Raised badge. 39th Infantry. |
| Here are the kanji associated with the Zaigo Gunjinkai. There are lots here, read vertically, right to the left. The first two kanji read TEIKOKU (Imperial). Most often IMPERIAL precedes this group's name. Then ZAI- and the next column -GO GUNJIN-. The 3rd column -KAI. The last 2 kanji read HONBU and mean headquarters. |
| 42nd Infantry |
| Note the Signal Unit flag at the bottom. |
| Another example, read vertically, right to the left. The first two kanji read TEIKOKU (Imperial). Then ZAI-GO. The 3rd column GUNJIN-KAI. |
| Gold and silver gilt badge patterns. |
| There is a gold gilt horse and falcon here, which is uncommon. Also at the top are the rays of the sun. The characters read '10th Heavy Transport, Discharge Commemorative.' |
| Medical unit |
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| Discharge. No regiment specified. |
| Discharge. No regiment specified. |
| Original WW2 flag with Zaigo badge in the corner. |