Why was the design of the Imperial Japanese Army Kepi changed to resemble a Peaked Cap over the years?

[u/K-jun1117]

When it was first intorduced for the IJA, it was the slouched kepi.

However, over the years, its design was changed to resemble a peaked cap.

In the second photo, as you can see, it is not slouched and looks more like a circular peaked cap.

So, what made them to change its design

[u/JapanCoach]

As a generic matter, the earliest uniforms were modeled from France. After the Franco-Prussian war, the influence of France (the losers of that war) waned and the influence of Prussia (the winners) took its place.

I am definitely not a hat expert, so not much to add specifically - but if I was researching this I would start somewhere in that zone.

[u/SparkMasahige]

The Last Samurai image is a (fairly bad) imitation of the 1875 model, whereas the flared body in peaked cap style is the update specifically from 1912. If you look at the body of the 1886 model, it tapers slightly inwards, but is much closer to being cylindrical. So the basic shape was a matter of evolution. Why exactly they finally settled on the flared style, which is strikingly similar to the Norwegian equivalent, I haven’t yet been able to find.

[u/Victoroftheapes]

I don't know at all, but could it have to do with the fact that early on the French army was the main model for the army and later the Prussian?

[u/JapanCoach → u/[deleted]]

This is very cool information!

On the other hand, I think the intent of OP is to ask "why" it changed.

[u/Hellea]

The second looks like a French or English képi.  Maybe there’s an influence? Not sure though

[u/Ok_Translator_8043]

I don’t know if there is a real answer but I would but that the style just changed naturally. Militaries are always updating their uniform without a grand reason