Japanese Division Code Names

[fontessa]

Hello Taki,

I found 陸機密第一四三号「陸軍部隊戦時通称号規定」6 years ago at Yasukuni Shrine KAIKO BUNKO Library.

Although in handwritten form, 英機（エイキ）is added to attached table 2-2 of 陸機密第一四三号.

fontessa

[Akira Takizawa]

Thank you, fontessa!

Taki

[Wellgunde]

Thank you Fontessa for this detailed research.

[wdgysin]

Thank you Fontessa for the tables from your website. For those of you who don't know of it, Fontessa's Site is at:
http://www.fontessa.info/index.html
This is one of the best websites on the web that I have found regarding the IJA and it's air forces. It is very detailed
with units as well as their organizations. Being a non-Japanese speaker, I rely on translation programs to give me
detailed information, and the only problem I have run into with the site is the tables are pictures and will not trans-
late in a translation program. That being said, it is probably the best website on the web for this information, Taki's
website being one of the others.

[wdgysin]

More:
138th Div 45 Manchuria 不動 Fudo Immovable n condition
139th Div 45 Manchuria 不屈 Fukutsu Indomitable n condition
140th Div 45 Tokyo 護東 Mamoru To/Go To Protect Tokyo n action
142nd Div 45 Sendai 護仙 Mamoru Sen/Go Sen Protect Sendai n action
143rd Div 45 Nagoya 護古 Mamoru Ko/Go Ko Protect Nagoya n action
144th Div 45 Osaka 護阪 Mamoru Ban/Go Ban Protect Osaka n action
145th Div 45 Hiroshima 護州 Mamoru Shu/Go Shu Protect Kyushu n action
146th Div 45 Kumamoto 護南 Mamoru Minami/GoNan Protect South n action
147th Div 45 Asahikawa 護北 Mamoru Kita/Go Hoku Protect North n action
148th Div 45 Manchuria 富嶽 Fugaku Bamboo n flwr plant
149th Div 45 Manchuria 不撓 Futo Inflexible n condition
150th Div 45 Keijo, Ko 護朝 Mamoru Asa/Go Cho Protect Korea n action
151st Divi 45 Utsunomiya 護宇 Mamoru Sora/Go Ro Protect Utsunomiya n action

[Wellgunde]

I find the back story of the code names interesting. The three imperial regalia (三種の神器) of Japan are a sword, a mirror, and a jewel. The regalia represent the three primary virtues: valor, (the sword), wisdom (the mirror), and benevolence (the jewel). These most likely form the origin of several divisional code names:
Swords
12th Div ]剣 Ken Sword (object). “ken” refers to swordsmanship as well. With regards to swords themselves, “ken” is any double edged sword in general, and in particular it is the type of double edged sword which was used in Japan prior to the feudal period. The single edged sword that we in the west refer to as a “samurai sword” is 刀 katana. The imperial sword, Kusanagi no Tsurugi (草薙劍), is thought to be at the Asuta Shrine in Nagoya.
Mirrors
13th Div 鏡 Kagami Mirror (object). The imperial mirror, Yata no Kagami (八咫鏡), is located at the Ise Grand Shrine in Mie Prefecture.
Jewels
1st Div 玉 Tama Ball (object). “jewel” is an alternate translation for “tama”
134th Div 勾玉 Magatama Jewel (object). A “magatama” is a curiously comma shaped jewel made, in later years, from jade. The imperial jewel is known as the Yasakani no Magatama (八尺瓊勾玉) and is kept on the grounds of the imperial palace in Tokyo at the Three Palaces Sanctuary.

The Imperial Regalia have an interesting and convoluted history. Their exact locations are suspected but not confirmed and they are viewed only by the reigning emperor on his enthronement and the high priests of the shrines where they are kept.

[wdgysin]

Thank you Wellgunde! This is exactly the type of connections and backstory that I am looking for for the divisions.
Only Japanese speakers can usually devine these conections, of which, sorry to say, I am not one. My intention
with this posting was not only to confirm all the names and translations I could but to try to get the connections
for each word to each division. I was hoping there might be some type of convention in naming, such as each
raised group having the same type of names (birds, trees, conditions, etc...). Some do, with the 1st wave coast-
al divisions raised in Japan containing 'defend or protect' and an abbreviation for the direction or city (To=Tokyo,
Sen=Sendai). Many of the divisions raised in Manchuria have similar type names (Indomitable, Imovable, etc...).
Unfortunately the vast majority seem to be randomly assigned words rather than sets having some commonality.
Again, thanks to all for the great contributions to this thread.

[Eugen Pinak]

Though this is not my area of research, I am grateful to all colleagues for bringing up and explaining such an interesting topic.

[wdgysin]

More:
152nd Div 45 Kanazawa 護沢 Mamoru Sawa/Go Sawa Protect Kanazawa n action
153rd Div 45 Kyoto 護京 Mamoru Kyo/Go Kyo Protect Kyoto n action
154th Div 45 Hiroshima 護路 Mamoru Ro/Go Ro Protect ?Hiroshima n action
155th Div 45 Zentsuji 護土 Mamoru Tsuchi/Go Do Protect Land n action
156th Div 45 Kurume 護西 Mamoru /Go Sei Protect West n action
157th Div 45 Hirosaki 護弘 Mamoru Hiroshi/Go Hiro Protect Hirosaki n action
158th Div 45 Manchuria 不滅 Fumetsu Immortal n condition
160th Div 45 Heijo, Ko 護鮮 Mamoru Aza/Go Sen Protect Korea n action
161st Div 45 Kumamoto 震天 Shinten Tremor n
201st Div 45 Tokyo 武蔵 Musashi Old prov in Tokyo area n province
202nd Div 45 Sendai 青葉 Aoba Castle in Sendai n castle
205th Div 45 Hiroshima 安芸 Aki Old prov in Hiroshima area n province
206th Div 45 Kumamoto 阿蘇 Aso Mountain by Kumamoto n mountain
209th Div 45 Kanazawa 加越 Kaetsu Old area of Kanazawa n town
212th Div 45 Kurume 菊池 Kikuchi Shrine in Kumamoto? n shrine
214th Div 45 Utsunomiya 常盤 Tokiwa Lake in Yamguchi? n lake
216th Div 45 Kyoto 比叡 Hiei Mountain near Kyoto n mountain

[Dr Eisvogel]

Does anyone have a master list they would be willing to share?

I have partial list, and without kanji, just transliteration in Latin script and nickname translations into Croatian and English.

Legend

Rbr. = Division numeral

Nadimak = Nickname: Croatian (English)

Nadimak2 = Nickname 2 (transliterated Japanese nickname)

Broj = Numeral in Japanese

Prefekture = Prefectures from which the personnel was conscripted

From the 34th Division onward there are no Japanese numerals any more and for some divisions the prefectures are lacking.

Rbr. Nadimak Nadimak2 Broj Prefekture
1. Žad (Jade) Gyoku-heidan Dai-ichi shidan Tokyo
2. Hrabri (Braves) Isamu-heidan Dai-ni shidan Miyagi, Fukushima, Aomori
3. Sretna (Lucky) Kō-heidan Di-san shidan Aichi, Ishikawa
4. Yodo (River Yodo) Yodo-heidan Dai-yon shidan Shiga, Hyogō
5. Šaran (Carp) Koi-heidan Dai-go shidan Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Shimane
6. Svijetla (Bright) Akari-heidan Dai-roku shidan Kumamoto
7. Medvjed (Bear) Kuma-heidan Dai-nana shidan Hokkaido
8. Cedar (Cedar) Sugi-heidan Dai-hachi shidan Aomori, Akita, Yamagata
9. Ratnik (Warrior) Take-heidan Dai-Kyū heidan Ishikawa, Toyama, Fukui
10. Željezna (Iron) Tetsu-heidan Dai-Jū shidan Hyogō, Okayama, Tottori
11. Brokatna (Brocade) Nishiki-heidan Dai-Jūichi shidan Shikoku
12. Mač (Sword) Ken-heidan Dai-Jūni shidan Kyushu sjever
13. Ogledalo (Mirror) Kyō-heidan Dai-Jūsan shidan Niigata
14. Sjajna (Shining) Shō-heidan Dai-Jūyon shidan Osaka, Zentsūji, Kagawa, Hiroshima, Kumamoto
15. Svečanost (Festival) Sai-heidan Dai-Jūgo shidan Nagoya
16. Zid (Wall) Kaki-heidan Dai-Jūroku shidan Kyoto
17. Mjesec (Moon) Getsu-heidan Dai-Jūnana shidan Okayama, Hirohima, Shimane
18. Krizantema (Chrysanthemum) Kiku-heidan Dai-Jūhachi shidan Fukuoka
19. Tigar (Tiger) Tora-heidan Dai-Jūkyū shidan
20. Jutro (Morning) Asa-heidan Dai-nijū shidan
21. Napad (Attack) Tou-heidan Dai-nijūichi shidan Ishikawa, Toyama
22. Ravnice (Plains) Hara heidan Dai-nijūni shidan
23. Svitanje (Sunrise) Kyoku-heidan Dai-nijūsan shidan Kumamoto
24. Gorska (Mountain) Yamahei heidan Dai-nijūyon shidan
25. Zemaljska (Country) Kuni-heidan Dai nijūgo shidan
26. Proljetna (Spring) Izumi heidan Dai-nijūroku shidan
27. Poljska (Field) Goku-dan Dai-nijūnana shidan
28. Obilna (Abundant) Toyo heidan Dai-nijūhachi shidan
29. Grom (Thunder) Ikazuchi heidan Dai-nijūkyū shidan Nagoya
30. Pantera (Panther) Hyō-heidan Dai-sanjū shidan
31. Bijesna (Furious) Retsu heidan Dai-sanjūichi shidan
32. Javor (Maple) Kaede heidan Dai-sanjūini shidan
33. Luk (Bow) Yumi heidan Dai-sanjūsan shidan Tochigi, Ibaraki, Gunma
34. Kamelija (Camellia) Tsubaki heidan Osaka, Wakayama
35. Istočna (East) Azuma heidan Tokyo
36. Snijeg (Snow) Yuki heidan Aomori
37. Zima (Winter) Fuyu heidan Kumamoto
38. Močvarnjaci (Swampers) Numa heidan Nagoya
39. Glicinija (Wisteria) Fuji heidan
40. Kit (Whale) Kujira heidan Kagawa, Shikoku
41. Rijeka (River) Kawa heidan
42. Izvrsna (Distinction) Isao heidan Sendai
43. Čast (Honor) Homare heidan Nagoya
44. Naranča (Orange) Tachibana heidan Osaka
46. Vedra (Serene) Sei heidan Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, Kagoshima
47. Metak (Bullet) Dan heidan Aomori
48. Pomorci (Mariners) Umi heidan
49. Vuk (Wolf) Ookami heidan Nara
50. Artemizija (Artemisia) Yomogi heidan Taiwan
51. Temelj (Base) Moto heidan Tochigi
52. Hrast (Oak) Kashiwa heidan Ishikawa, Toyama, Nagano
53. Mir (Peace) Yasushi heidan Shiga, Fukui, Mie, Kyoto
54. Vojnik (Soldier) Hei heidan Hyōgo, Okayama, Tottori
55. Snažna (Robust) Sou heidan Shikoku
56. Zmaj (Dragon) Ryu heidan Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki
57. Unutarnja (Inner) Oku heidan Aomori, Iwate, Yamagata, Akita
58. Široka (Wide) Kou heidan
59. Odijelo (Robe) Koromo heidan Chiba
60. Koplje (Pike) Hoko heidan Chiba
61. Skok (Jump) Tobi heidan Tokyo
62. Stijena (Stone) Ishi heidan
63. Tabor (Camp) Jin heidan Tochigi
64. Otvorena (Open) Kai heidan Hiroshima
65. Stručnjak (Expert) Sen heidan Aichi
66. Smjela (Daring) Kan heidan Hyōgo
68. Čempres (Cypress) Hinoki heidan
69. Pobjednička (Winning) Katsu heidan Aomori
70. Dai-nanajū shidan
71. Život (Life) Mikoto heidan
72. Poziv (Summon) Ten heidan Sendai
73. Gnjev (Wrath) Ikari heidan Nagoya
77. Zrela (Ripe) Nen heidan Hokkaido
79. Igra (Play) So heidan
81. Podmornica (Nō) Nō heidan
84. Iznenadna (Sudden) Tō heidan
86. Hrpa (Pile) Seki heidan Fukuoka
88. Ključna (Essential) Kaname heidan
89. Uništenje (Destruction) Sai heidan Hokkaido
91. Budućnost (Future) Saki heidan
93. Odlučnost (Resolve) Ketsu heidan
94. Napeta (Intense) Iretsu heidan
96. Tajna 220001 (Mistery 22001) Gen 22001 heidan
100. Zaposjednuće (Occupation) Kyo heidan

101.
102. Iskorijenjenje (Uproot) Hatsu heidan
103. Pastuh (Steed) Shun heidan
104. Feniks (Phoenix) Ootori heidan
105. Marljiva (Diligent) Kin heidan
106.
107. Zatišje (Lull)
108. Znanje (Savoir) Yū heidan
109. Hrabrost (Courage) Tan heidan
110. Orao (Eagle) Sagi heidan
111. Grad (City) Ichi heidan
112. Javna (Public) Kimi heidan
114. Zapovjednik (Commander) Sho heidan
115. Sjever (North) Kita heidan
116. Oluja (Storm) Ran heidan
117. Narastajuća (Expansive) Gu heidan (Hiro?)
118. (Expansive) Kei heidan
119. Pokolj (Slaughter) Sai heidan
120. Guraj naprijed (Push Forward) Maishin heidan
121. Slava (Glory) Eikō heidan
122. Maizuru (Maizuru) Maizuru heidan
123. Vjetar u borovima (Matsukaze) Matsukaze heidan
124. Predviđanje (Foresight) Enbo heidan
125. Eiki Eiki heidan
126. Odlučnost (Resolution) Eidan heidan
127. Eimai Eimai heidan
128. Eibu Eibu heidan
129. Bojna moć (Shinbu) Shinbu heidan
130. Shoki heidan
131. Shūsui heidan
132. Ohrabrenje (Encouragement) Shinki heidan
133. Napad (Attack) Shingeki heidan
134. Dragulj (Jewel) Magatama heidan
135. Srdačnost (Cordiality) Shinshin heidan
136. Nepobjediva (Invincible) Fubatsu heidan
137. Fuyoku heidan
138. Nepokretna (Immovable) Fudō heidan
139. (Formidable) Fukutsu heidan
140. Zaštita Tokyo-a(Tokyo Protection) Koto heidan
142. (Sendai protection) Kosen heidan
143. (Nagoya Protection) Kogo Heidan
144. (Osaka Protection) Kosaka heidan
145. (Kitakyushu Protection) Koshu Protection
146. (Southern Protection) Konan heidan
147. (Hokkaido Protection) Koho heidan
148. Fugaku heidan
149. Nepopustljiva (Inflexible) Fugyo heidan
150. (Morning Protection) Gocho heidan
151. (Utsonomiya Protection) Gou heidan
152. (Kanazawa Protection) Gozawa heidan
153. (Kyoto Protection) Gokyo heidan
154. (Himeji Protection) Goji heidan
155. (Land Protection) Godo heidan
157. (Hirosaki Protection) Gogu heidan
158. Besmrtna (Immortal) Fumetsu heidan
160. (Pyongyang Protection) Gosen protection

The list was compiled by me from the various sources on Internet and it might have mistakes, however hopefully it could be useful as a starting point.

Best regards,
Eisvogel

[Wellgunde]

The list was compiled by me from the various sources on Internet and it might have mistakes, however hopefully it could be useful as a starting point. Best regards,
Eisvogel

Dr. Eisvogel, thank you for your input!

[Wellgunde]

Some more thoughts on code words:
17th Div 38-45 Himeji 月 Tsuki Moon n time
25th Div 40-45 Osaka 國 Kuni Country n place; kanji should be 國, rather than 国, for Pacific War era.
42nd Div 43-45 Sendai 勲 Isao distinguished service; Kun merit n attitude
53rd Div 41-45 Kyoto 安 An safe, secure n condition
59th Div 42-45 Tokyo 衣 Koromo (perhaps Carapace: the tough outer shell of an insect or arthropod [makes more sense than clothing connected meanings]]
94th Div 44-45 Osaka 威烈 Iretsu Fierce competition, violent power, fierce momentum n condition
104th Div 38-45 Osaka 鳳 Outori Male phoenix n bird The phoenix is a comment element in Japanese art and architecture. The phoenix appears on the reverse on the 10,000 Yen note. The Phoenix Hall (鳳凰堂) of Kyoto's Byodoin Temple appears on the 10 yen coin.
123rd Div 45 Nagoya 松風 Matsukaze Pine Wind or “Wind in the Pines” n weather. Matsukaze (Wind in the Pines) is one of the most famous Noh plays. Noh is a form of classical Japanese musical drama. The eponymous Matsukaze is a female character in the play. Nagoya has a long association with Noh.
125th Div 45 Hiroshima 英機 Eiki There is no word such as 英機 in Japanese. There is however, 英気 (エイキ) virility, energy, excellent talent. It is possible the clerk used the wrong kanji. This meaning seems to be in keeping with those of the 125th's sister "英" divisions.
161st Div 45 Kumamoto 震天 Shinten Tremor n (May be derived from the Chinese literary zhèntiān which means (something so forceful that it) shakes both heaven and earth)
202nd Div 45 Sendai 青葉 Aoba Castle in Sendai n castle. 青葉城 Aoba-jou is the castle. It may also refer to the hill on which the castle was built. Not to be confused with the similarly spelled cruiser Aoba which was named after a volcano in Kyushu.
212th Div 45 Kurume 菊池 Kikuchi Shrine in Kumamoto? n shrine Probably refers to the Kikuchi Shrine in Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture.

[wdgysin]

Thanks, Wellgunde, for the great insights into the meanings.

[wdgysin]

More:
221st Div 45 Nagano 天龍 Tenryu Tenryu River in Nagano Pref n river
222nd Div 45 Hirosaki 八甲 Hakko ‘Eight corners of the world under one roof’ n slogan
224th Div 45 Hiroshima 赤穂 Ako old area attached to ’47 Ronin’ n area
225th Div 45 Osaka 金剛 Kongo mountain in Osaka Pref n mountain
229th Div 45 Kanazawa 北越 Hokuetsu ?
230th Div 45 Tokyo 総武 Sobu old area of Tokyo
231st Div 45 Hiroshima 大国 Okuni a shrine on Itsukushima in Hiroshima Pref
234th Div 45 Tokyo 利根 Tone Tone River NW of Tokyo
303rd Div 45 Nagoya 高師 Takashi ?
308th Div 45 Hirosaki 岩木 Iwaki Iwaki Mountain in Aomori Pref n mountain
312th Div 45 Kurume 千歳 Chitose Thousand years
316th Div 45 Kyoto 山城 Yamashiro Mountain castle (old name of Kyoto area)
320th Div 45 China 宣武 Senbu ?
321st Div 45 Tokyo 磯 Iso Seashore
322nd Div 45 Sendai 磐梯 Bandai Mountain in Fukushima Pref
344th Div 45 Zentsuji 剣山 Kenzan Sword Mountain, flower arranging tool
351st Div 45 Utsunomiya 赤城 Akagi Red Castle, Mountain in Gunma Pref
354th Div 45 Tokyo 武甲 Buko Armory, Mountain in Saitama Pref
355th Div 45 Himeji 那智 Nachi Mountain and river in Wakayama Pref

1st Tk Div 42-45 Fukuoka 拓 Taku Clear the land n action
2nd Tk Div 42-45 Osaka 撃 Geki Attack n action
3rd Tk Div 42-45 Narashino 滝 Taki/Hiraku Waterfall n water
4th Tk Div 44-45 Narashino 鋼 Hagane Steel n metal

1st AA Div 44-45 Tokyo 晴 Hare Sunny n condition
2nd AA Div 45 Nagoya 逐 Chiku Drive away n action
3rd AA Div 45 Osaka 炸 Saku Explosion n ?
4th AA Div 45 Kurume 彗 Sui(sei) Comet n ?

[wdgysin]

Last:
1st Air Div 43-45 鏑 Kabura Arrowhead n weapon
2nd Air Div 42-45 鷲 Washi Eagle n bird
3rd Air Div 42-44 隼 Hayabusa Falcon n bird
4th Air Div 42-45 翼 Tsubasa Wing n thing
5th Air Div 42-45 高 Ko High n measurement
6th Air Div 42-44 洋 Yo Ocean n water
7th Air Div 43-45 襲 Kasane Attack n action
8th Air Div 43-45 誠 Makoto Truth n condition
9th Air Div 43-45 翔 Sho Soar n action
10th Air Div 44-45 天 Ten Heavens n place
11th Air Div 44-45 天鷲 Ten Washi Imperial Eagles n bird
12th Air Div 44-45 天風 Ten Pu Heavens Wind n weather
13th Air Div 45 隼魁 Hayabusa Kai Charging Falcon n bird
51st Air Div 45 ?
52nd Air Div 45 ?
53rd Air Div 45 ?
55th Air Div 45 ?