Dai Toya Senso Kaigun bijutsu [Naval Art of the Great East Asia War]

Tokyo: Dai Nihon Kaiyo Bijutsu Kyokai [Greater Japan Pacific Art Association], 1943. 35 mounted color plates, with captioned tissue-guards. 1 vols. Oblong folio. Publisher’s blue cloth boards, printed paper label on cover. Fine. 35 mounted color plates, with captioned tissue-guards. 1 vols. Oblong folio. “The purpose to publish this book is nothing but to let the people in Japan understand well the bravery and activity of the Japanese Navy. Every picture contained in this book signifies how vigorous and brave our Navy is fighting a desperate battle in the Pacific …” (translated from the Preface). An imposing and colorful work of WWII propaganda by Imperial Japan, illustrating events both true and wished-for. In the former category are the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the sinking of the British Prince of Wales and Repulse at the Battle off Molaya, the Japanese occupation of Singapore, the Japanese assault on Wake Island (showing captured Allied soldiers stripped to their briefs and waving a white flag), and the Japanese landing on the Alaskan Aleutian Islands. In the latter category, a Japanese plan to attack New York City, showing Japanese bombers assaulting lower Manhattan.