WWII Imperial Japanese Army 1st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment Lacquer Tray
This is an original prewar Imperial Japanese Army commemorative lacquer tray associated with the 1st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment. The front features a detailed gold-colored image of an anti-aircraft gun, together with the inscription: “1st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment” The 1st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment was established in 1925 and is regarded as the first permanent anti-aircraft artillery regiment of the Imperial Japanese Army. It was later stationed at Hamamatsu, an important military and aviation center. The regiment represents the early development of Japan’s organized ground-based air defense at a time when military aviation was rapidly becoming a major factor in warfare. An especially interesting feature is the Japanese inscription near the top: “Shikishima no Yamato-gokoro wo hito towa ba” This is the opening portion of a famous poem by the Edo-period scholar Motoori Norinaga: Asked what is the spirit of Japan, it is the fragrance of mountain cherry blossoms in the morning sun. The verse became strongly associated with ideas of Japanese identity in the prewar period. Its presence together with an anti-aircraft gun and military unit name makes this more than a decorative tray-it reflects the military culture and values of its era. The reverse is marked with the name: “Maeda” This was most likely the surname of the original owner or recipient, adding an individual human connection to the piece. Another particularly interesting point is that an example of a 1st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment commemorative lacquer tray is preserved in an official Aichi Prefecture wartime-history collection, showing that this type of object is recognized today as material connected with Japan’s military history. The tray shows age-related wear, scratches, rubbing and other signs of use. Please carefully examine the photographs for condition. For collectors of Imperial Japanese Army militaria, artillery history, air-defense history, or Japanese wartime lacquerware, this is a distinctive piece combining unit identification, weapon imagery, traditional Japanese culture and the name of an individual owner. Own a Piece of History. International Buyers – Please Note.