To fully grasp how the samurai sword known as 302 Kokutai was forged, it’s essential to delve into the biography of Commander Yasuna Kozono, the man who was the creator, brain, heart, and, seemingly, the soul of this renowned unit. Sources like Wikipedia offer only a meager handful of facts: he was born in 1902, served in several roles, and passed away in 1960, just four days after his 58th birthday. That’s essentially it. Such minimal data, without a broader context, is virtually meaningless. Therefore, I considered it not only fitting but also necessary to dedicate this part of the series to this extraordinary, albeit somewhat controversial figure.
Attachments Description:
- A Nakajima J1N1-S Gekko in its original 302 Ku colors, setting out on a night hunt—an artwork by Darryl Legg included here mainly to grab your attention. 😉
- One of the rare photos of Commander Kozono, taken in the southwestern Pacific in the spring of 1943. At that time, he was in command of 251 Ku (formerly Tainan Kokutai).
- Kozono with one of his 251 Ku pilots, Bosun Kudo, Japan’s first night ace, at Rabaul in late July 1943. By then, Kudo was no longer a bosun—this photo was taken on the day he was decorated and promoted to officer rank, as signified by the ceremonial sword, a personal gift from Admiral Jinichi Kusaka, commander of the 11th Air Fleet.
- A lighthearted image match found by a Japanese colleague using an app designed to identify “look-alikes” based on a base photo and additional prompts, matching with a database of contemporary actors, singers, athletes, etc. Typically, I wouldn’t share such finds, but this resemblance was striking.
Kozono
In 1920, a young Kozono was admitted to the Naval Academy—a notable achievement in itself. At the time, Japan was building a modern society amid a burgeoning technological economy and free market. Yet, mentally, Japanese society was still steeped in the feudal system of prior centuries. As the son of a large farming family from a small village, Kozono lacked any social prestige. One might even say he belonged to the lowest social class. Nonetheless, someone on the admissions committee must have seen potential in this short, stout, but very strong and resilient young man. Lacking a military heritage, Kozono made up for it with ambition, hard work, and intelligence. By the time he graduated with honors in 1923, he was respected by his peers, instructors, and lecturers alike. While he expected a shipboard assignment, he was instead immediately transferred to Naval Aviation, which was still in its infancy and in great need of talented officers with potential.
In the following years, Kozono completed flight training and several courses in air tactics and leadership, proving to be a highly effective organizer with a keen interest in technical and technological aspects. This led him to Yokosuka’s 1st Naval Arsenal, a Navy Research and Development Center, where he often participated in defining requirements for new IJNAF aircraft and serving on inspection boards. In 1941, shortly before the outbreak of the Pacific War, Kozono joined a Japanese military delegation visiting Germany. There, he was particularly fascinated by the Schräge Musik armament system—a fact that would soon play a crucial role in his career, his units, and even the IJNAF (and, indirectly, the IJAAF).
251 Kokutai
When the war began, Kozono campaigned for a combat unit assignment, finally succeeding in the autumn of 1942. Tainan Kokutai, a legendary unit renamed 251 Ku on November 1, was rotated back to Japan for rest, personnel replenishment, and rearmament with the latest A6M3 Zero Model 22 and Model 32 fighters. Most veterans were reassigned to strengthen other units, many needed hospital treatment for tropical illnesses, and some became instructors or pursued command training. However, around 8-10 “Old Guard” Tainan pilots remained, forming the core of the unit. In March 1943, 251 returned to Rabaul, this time under Kozono’s command.
At that time, the unit temporarily lacked a reconnaissance component, specifically the Mitsubishi C5M2 (Ki-15 Babs) from Tainan Ku, which had become quite outdated. To counter this, Kozono established a system of rotating tactical reconnaissance combat patrols. These three-plane A6M3 formations signaled any threats and were ready to engage immediately. Consequently, the arrival of brand-new J1N1-C Gekko reconnaissance planes (Irving) in May hardly changed things. The front line was far away in southeast New Guinea, and the real threat to the fortress area was only from high-altitude reconnaissance Liberators during the day and harassing B-17 night raids. The A6M was unsuitable for intercepting high-altitude Liberators or nighttime engagements with Flying Fortresses.
Pairing idle Gekkos with memories of German armament inspired the field conversion of the J1N1-C into a true night fighter, especially as it was fast and well-suited for the role. Kozono had support from some highly experienced technicians from Tainan Ku, including Bosun Kudo, who, before becoming a fighter pilot, completed full ground crew technical training (Kudo’s story deserves a separate note). Regional Command was skeptical, even hostile, toward “unauthorized Kozono experiments.” But few staff officers were willing to oppose the charismatic commander, backed steadfastly by the entire unit.
Two weeks after converting the first Gekkos, 251 Ku began a streak of night victories. Nakajima soon began mass-producing the J1N1-S model, and IJNAF HQ started creating dedicated night-fighter units.
October 1943 – March 1944
In the autumn of 1943, Commander Kozono, Lieutenant Kudo, and several others involved in the “night experiment” were recalled to Japan, all ending up in Yokosuka. Technical staff joined the 1st Naval Arsenal, with Kudo also consulting on projects for the Arsenal and Kugisho workshops before becoming an instructor in night aerial combat.
Kozono joined a staff conceptual group to develop guidelines for night-fighter formations and units associated with the IJN and IJNAF Yokosuka base. He held this role until March 1944, when he was appointed commander of the newly formed 302 Kokutai.
I’ll cover the rest of Kozono’s story in upcoming parts about 302 Ku. It’s worth noting, however, that despite his undeniable successes, he held the rank of commander until the war’s end. Was he not promoted? In fact, he refused promotion at least twice, fearing that a higher rank would tie him to a desk job. When he left his role as 251 Ku’s commander, he was almost 41, and this was a real concern. Refusing promotions in the Imperial Navy was nearly unheard of, but it was understood that he would continue to do so. Command, not wanting to alienate such a talented officer, eventually stopped offering. This was a unique anecdote that casts light on a man many consider the “Last Samurai of the Empire.”
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