WW2-Era Japanese Children’s Naval Illustrated Book (Published August 25, 1941)

Title: “Gunkan no Kyo’i / Marvels of Warships”

Author: Navy Captain Hirota Hirose

Publisher: Kaseisha

Cover Illustration: Kabu-shima Katsuichi

This is an original pre-war children’s naval science graph book published in August 1941, just a few months before Japan entered the Pacific War.

During this period, Japan was increasing wartime mobilization, and children’s educational books often introduced naval technology and world warships to raise national awareness.

The book features photographs and diagrams of warships from:

• Imperial Japanese Navy
• United States
• United Kingdom
• Germany
• Italy
• France
• Soviet Union

It reflects the wartime atmosphere and the way naval science and international military power were presented to Japanese youth.

Because children’s books were often heavily used and discarded, surviving copies—especially with the original illustrated cover—are quite rare.

Condition:

Worn exterior, tears, stains, old bookstore label, and ownership stamps.

Typical condition for wartime children’s books.

Please check the photos carefully. Sold as-is.

Size: approx. 26 × 19 cm

Authentic pre-WW2 Japanese publication.

A valuable reference for collectors of Imperial Japanese Navy, wartime propaganda materials, pre-WW2 print culture, and historical children’s literature.