WWII Imperial Japanese Naval Magazine 1935 Royal Navy Fleet Reference Photos
Published in Japan in 1935, this is a special issue of the prewar naval magazine Umi to Sora (“Sea and Sky”), titled: World Naval Yearbook, Vol. An important point is that this was not an official Imperial Japanese Navy publication. However, it was far more serious than an ordinary hobby book. The publisher, Umi to Sora-sha, specialized in naval and aviation subjects and produced the long-running prewar magazine Umi to Sora. Its publications covered Japanese and foreign navies, warships, aircraft, naval technology, and strategy, and were aimed at readers with a serious interest in military and naval affairs. In other words, this was a professional Japanese naval reference publication intended for knowledgeable readers, enthusiasts, students, researchers, and people connected with the maritime and military world. The year 1935 gives the book additional historical interest. At that time, Britain still possessed one of the world’s most powerful navies. Japan and Britain had once been allies, but by the 1930s their strategic relationship had changed dramatically. This book therefore preserves a fascinating prewar perspective: How did Japanese naval specialists and readers view the Royal Navy before Britain became Japan’s wartime enemy? Only about six years after this volume was published, Japan and Britain would be at war across the Pacific and Southeast Asia. That makes this more than simply an old warship photo book. It is a period Japanese reference source documenting how the Royal Navy was studied and presented in prewar Japan. The cover prominently features the British naval ensign and a battleship, making the subject immediately recognizable to Royal Navy and naval-history collectors. 19 × 25.5 cm Pages: 229 Condition shows age-related wear, toning, staining, and damage to the cover and spine consistent with a publication approximately 90 years old. A strong historical piece for collectors of Royal Navy history, Imperial Japanese naval history, prewar military publications, warship photography, and international naval studies. Own a Piece of History. International Buyers – Please Note.