The Type 99 Gas Mask was a gas mask used by Japan during World War II. The ‘99’ in its name comes from the 2599th anniversary from when the first Japanese emperor took the throne. The mask was issued in two main versions, the mask which had a hose, and the other which didn’t. The mask was also issued in different colours, brown, beige and the rare black. The most common of these masks is the hoseless beige mask. It was issued to both civilians and the military. Unfortunately many of these masks are ridden with dry rot, making them stiff and unable to be worn. The problem with dry rot is that it cannot be repaired or reversed so these masks remain unfortunately damaged. This is why it is safest to always keep these masks on display.