This set contains four unpainted 28mm metal miniatures.

During the 1945 Battle of Okinawa, students from all high schools were used as auxiliaries and supporters for the Imperial Japanese Army. The 10 girls’ high schools provided over 500 students age 15-19 with basic medical training to assist in medical facilities.  The largest and best known of these were the “Himeyuri Student Corps” from the First Girls’ High School and Women’s Normal School in Asato, Naha. They endured hellish living conditions in unmarked hospital caves and bunkers. More than 200 died during the three month battle. Painted examples are resin prototypes for illustrative purposes.

Painting Suggestions

The shirts are standard issue Imperial Japanese Army enlisted men’s’ under shirts and came in varying shades of green with jade green buttons. Over time, these would fade to a tan-khaki color with washing and sun bleaching.

‘The rest of their clothing are homemade from old kimono material for the pants and bag, and futon cushion material for the air raid hood.  These could be painted in many different color schemes with or without decorative patterns. For more variety you can mix and match the pants, hoods and bags between miniatures. Having one with a grey top next to another with grey pants could imply friends or family sharing clothes, which did happen. It’s another small way one can tell stories with miniatures.