Description
Published in 1942, during World War II, Shonen Kaikoku Monogatari (“Stories of the Maritime Nation for Boys”) was written by Atsutaka Ogasawara and produced as a wartime educational book introducing young Japanese readers to the Imperial Japanese Navy, naval warfare, warships, aviation, and naval history.
The colophon records:
* First printing: November 20, 1942
* First edition issued: November 25, 1942
* First printing: 6,000 copies
Its contents include “The Hawaii Naval Battle and Young Aviators,” Pearl Harbor, the British Navy, Imperial Japanese Navy warships, aircraft, and the 2600th Anniversary Naval Review.
Especially notable are the period illustrations and photographs, including a Pearl Harbor map, photographs of U.S. ships damaged during the attack, portraits of Japanese naval personnel, and a page introducing the nine men celebrated in wartime Japan as the “Nine War Gods.”
Although originally written for younger readers, today the book is particularly interesting as a surviving document of wartime Japanese naval education and propaganda. It shows how Pearl Harbor, naval power, military service, and sacrifice were presented to Japanese youth while the Pacific War was actually underway.
The cover is also highly evocative of the period, combining imagery of a warship with a map of Japan.
There is age-related toning, staining, wear, and damage around the covers and edges. Please examine the photos carefully for condition.
A fascinating original wartime reference for collectors and researchers of the Imperial Japanese Navy, Pearl Harbor, Pacific War, military education, and wartime propaganda.
Own a Piece of History.
The colophon records:
* First printing: November 20, 1942
* First edition issued: November 25, 1942
* First printing: 6,000 copies
Its contents include “The Hawaii Naval Battle and Young Aviators,” Pearl Harbor, the British Navy, Imperial Japanese Navy warships, aircraft, and the 2600th Anniversary Naval Review.
Especially notable are the period illustrations and photographs, including a Pearl Harbor map, photographs of U.S. ships damaged during the attack, portraits of Japanese naval personnel, and a page introducing the nine men celebrated in wartime Japan as the “Nine War Gods.”
Although originally written for younger readers, today the book is particularly interesting as a surviving document of wartime Japanese naval education and propaganda. It shows how Pearl Harbor, naval power, military service, and sacrifice were presented to Japanese youth while the Pacific War was actually underway.
The cover is also highly evocative of the period, combining imagery of a warship with a map of Japan.
There is age-related toning, staining, wear, and damage around the covers and edges. Please examine the photos carefully for condition.
A fascinating original wartime reference for collectors and researchers of the Imperial Japanese Navy, Pearl Harbor, Pacific War, military education, and wartime propaganda.
Own a Piece of History.