This original commemorative photo album was issued in August 1924 (Taisho 13) by the Imperial Japanese Army Cavalry School Training Unit. The cover is titled. “Commemoration of the Army Cavalry School Training Unit – August 1924″. And preserves a remarkable visual record of one of the most prestigious military training institutions of pre-war Japan. Unlike ordinary soldier portraits, this album documents the daily operations and training environment of the Cavalry School itself. Horse inspection and veterinary activities. Stables and horse management facilities. Field exercises and tactical instruction. School buildings and administrative facilities. One particularly interesting aspect is the inclusion of machine gun training alongside traditional cavalry instruction. Following the lessons of World War I, military forces around the world were attempting to adapt cavalry doctrine to modern warfare. This album captures that transitional period when horse-mounted units still existed, yet increasingly trained alongside modern weapons and battlefield tactics. The album therefore provides not only a record of Japanese cavalry, but also a glimpse into the transformation of military doctrine during the interwar period. Japanese cavalry units would eventually disappear with mechanization, making surviving materials from this era increasingly desirable among military historians and collectors. Condition shows age-related wear, staining, and cover deterioration consistent with nearly 100 years of age. A highly informative and visually impressive reference piece for collectors of Imperial Japanese Army memorabilia, cavalry history, and early twentieth-century military photography. Original 1924 Imperial Japanese Army photo album. Army Cavalry School Training Unit issue. Mounted cavalry training photographs. Machine gun and field exercise images. Stable and horse management scenes. Officer and instructor portraits. Pre-WWII military education material. Approximately 100 years old. Valuable military history reference. No political endorsement or ideological support is intended. International Buyers – Please Note. Thank you for your understanding.
A rare two-volume set of prewar Japanese commemorative photo albums connected with the Imperial Family and the Imperial Japanese Army. The first volume is a 1915 commemorative album for the enthronement ceremonies of Emperor Taisho. It records court ceremonies, imperial processions, public celebrations, and other official events surrounding the accession of the new emperor. The decorative binding and color ceremonial illustrations also make it an attractive example of early 20th-century Japanese publishing. The second volume is a 1935 commemorative photo album produced for a visit by Empress Teimei to the Imperial Japanese Army Academy. This album is especially interesting from a militaria perspective. It includes photographs of the academy grounds, buildings, artillery, military formations, and large groups of officer cadets. The Imperial Japanese Army Academy was one of the principal institutions responsible for training future Army officers. This makes the album more than simply a royal commemorative item-it is also a visual record of Japanese officer education during the prewar period. The Army Academy volume appears to have been created specifically to commemorate this official visit rather than for ordinary commercial sale. Materials of this type were typically distributed within a limited institutional circle, making surviving examples much less common than standard published books. Taken together, these two albums offer an unusual view of Imperial ceremony, military education, and the relationship between the Imperial Family and the Army across two decades of prewar Japan. The albums show age-related wear, toning, staining, rubbing and other signs of use consistent with items approximately 90-110 years old. Please review the photographs carefully for condition. A strong historical set for collectors of Imperial Japanese militaria, Army Academy material, royal commemorative items, prewar photography and Japanese military history. Own a Piece of History. International Buyers – Please Note.
This is an original 1924 commemorative discharge photo album from the 3rd Company, 2nd Railway Regiment of the Imperial Japanese Army. The title page reads: “2nd Railway Regiment Commemorative Discharge Photo Album 3rd Company Taisho 13 [1924]” Unlike an ordinary personal photo album, this is a unit-specific historical record in which the regiment, company, and year are clearly identified. Two Senior Army Officers At the beginning of the album are portrait photographs of two senior officers: Division Commander Morinari Morioka Later reached the rank of General in the Imperial Japanese Army Regimental Commander Teijiro Niihara Later reached the rank of Major General in the Imperial Japanese Army These portraits are followed by photographs of the 3rd Company, military facilities, railway operations, and rosters identifying members of the unit. What Was an Imperial Japanese Army Railway Regiment? The Railway Regiments were specialized Imperial Japanese Army units responsible for military railway construction, repair, operation, and transportation. Railways were essential for moving troops, ammunition, food, equipment, and other military supplies. Railway troops could also be tasked with dismantling or destroying railway infrastructure when required. The 2nd Railway Regiment was based at Tsudanuma in Chiba Prefecture and would later serve in railway operations on the Asian continent. This album dates from 1924, well before the regiment’s later large-scale wartime deployments, making it particularly interesting as a record of the unit during the interwar period. Railway Soldiers at Work One of the most fascinating photographs is captioned: “Ordinary Railway Operations” It shows numerous soldiers working directly on railway tracks, with a steam locomotive and passenger cars visible in the same scene. It is an excellent visual record of what these specialized soldiers actually did. The album also contains a unit personnel roster, recording names, ranks, and other information about the soldiers. Together, the photographs and roster preserve not only the identity of the unit, but also the commanding officers, ordinary soldiers, military facilities, and actual railway work associated with it. A Record from 1924 The 2nd Railway Regiment also participated in railway restoration work following the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. This album was produced the following year, in 1924. In later years the regiment would be deployed to China, including operations connected with the Jinan Incident and the Second Sino-Japanese War. The men pictured here therefore belong to an earlier chapter in the history of a unit that would later become deeply involved in Japan’s military railway operations overseas. Swords and medals often receive the most attention from militaria collectors, but armies could not function without logistics. Troops, weapons, ammunition, food, and equipment all had to move. The Railway Regiments were among the specialized units responsible for making that movement possible. Nearly a century later, this album still preserves the faces and names of the officers and soldiers who served there, the facilities they used, and even the railway work they performed. There is age-related wear, staining, discoloration, and rubbing to the covers and pages. Please examine the photographs carefully for the condition and contents. An unusual original historical record documenting the Imperial Japanese Army’s 2nd Railway Regiment through its commanders, soldiers, facilities, personnel roster, and military railway operations. Own a Piece of History. International Buyers – Please Note.
Published in 1929 (Showa 4), this large-format Japanese photo album presents a remarkable visual record of the Imperial Japanese Navy before World War II. This is much more than a simple collection of old photographs. Among the pages are photographs of important Japanese warships associated with the Russo-Japanese War and the development of the modern Japanese fleet, including Mikasa, Asahi, Shikishima, and Fuji. The album also contains portraits of senior naval figures, views of the Naval Gunnery School, diagrams and photographs relating to naval guns and shells, and scenes showing daily life aboard Japanese warships. One particularly interesting feature is the use of English captions on a number of pages, making the contents much easier to understand for collectors outside Japan. The book was issued by the Meiji Emperor Photo Album Publication Association. Records for this title are also preserved in Japanese institutional collections, confirming that this was a genuine prewar publication rather than a later retrospective reproduction. When opened, the pages provide a much more impressive viewing experience than a typical small-format military book. For a modern collector, this album offers something especially valuable: a look at how the Japanese Navy presented itself during the interwar period, only a little more than a decade before the Pacific War. Age-related toning, spotting, rubbing, stains, and general wear are present. Please examine the photographs carefully for condition. An excellent historical reference for collectors of Japanese naval history, warships, Russo-Japanese War material, naval uniforms, gunnery, and prewar military photography. Own a Piece of History. International Buyers – Please Note.
A Glimpse into the Everyday Lives of Japanese Soldiers 100 Years Ago What was life like for Japanese soldiers stationed at a coastal fortress in Korea a century ago? This original photograph album is associated with a soldier who entered the Imperial Japanese Army in 1923. It documents the Masan Heavy Artillery Battalion, a unit responsible for coastal defense near Jinhae Bay in southern Korea, then under Japanese colonial rule. Beyond the Uniforms Inside are original photographs of soldiers, barracks, military facilities, and everyday activities, including cooking, bathing, physical training, and group gatherings. These photographs reveal something that military history books often overlook: the ordinary human lives behind the uniforms. A Unit with a History The battalion’s origins were connected to the coastal defenses established around Jinhae Bay during the Russo-Japanese War era. It became the Masan Heavy Artillery Battalion in 1920 and was reorganized as the Masan Heavy Artillery Regiment in 1936. In 1942, during World War II, it became the Busan Fortress Heavy Artillery Regiment, defending strategically important coastal approaches until Japan’s surrender in 1945. This album captures an earlier chapter of that history, before the Pacific War. More Than a Photo Album One particularly fascinating feature is the battalion’s historical chronology, documenting its formation and organizational changes. Together with the handwritten Japanese captions, these photographs offer a personal glimpse into military life in colonial-era Korea. The individual stories of these soldiers may be lost to time, but their faces and everyday moments remain preserved in this album. Condition An original antique album showing age-related wear, discoloration, staining, and damage to the cover and corners. Approximate dimensions: 18.5 × 13 cm (7.3 × 5.1 inches), thickness 3 cm (1.2 inches). Please examine all photographs carefully. For collectors of Japanese militaria, military photography, and East Asian history, this is an opportunity to preserve a tangible record of a vanished era. Own a Piece of History. International Buyers – Please Note.
Own a Piece of History – An Exceptional Taisho-Era Imperial Japan Photo Album. This is an original photo album documenting the Special Grand Festival (“Rinji Taisai”) held at Yasukuni Shrine in April, Taisho 10 (1921). A luxury first-edition volume featuring gold-decorated endpapers, four-edge gilding, and traditional Japanese ribbon binding. Complete with its original outer case. Yasukuni Shrine was the central state institution dedicated to honoring the fallen soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy. Throughout the Meiji and Taisho eras, the shrine served as. A national military memorial site. A place for state-sponsored rituals. A venue for Imperial family visits (Shinpan / Royal attendance). A symbolic space for military morale and national identity. During the Taisho era-after the Russo-Japanese War and during the social changes after WWI-Yasukuni became the core of Japan’s modern military ceremonial culture. What is the “Special Grand Festival” (Rinji Taisai)? Unlike ordinary annual festivals, a Rinji Taisai was an extraordinary state ceremony conducted for. Newly enshrined war dead. Large-scale visits by the Emperor, Crown Prince, or senior nobles. Combined ceremonies of the Army, Navy, and State. The 1921 festival recorded here reflects the post-Siberian Expedition era, with increased enshrinements and major military reorganization. The album includes rare photographs documenting. Imperial family attendance (Taisho-era court attire visible). High-ranking Army & Navy officers. Ritual formations, honor guards, and military delegations. Night-time ceremonies with lined soldiers. Traditional shrine performances and sacred dances. Large crowds of citizens (social history value). Detailed ritual sequences recorded with clarity. This edition is significantly rarer than the later Showa versions. Outer case shows age fading. Album body and photographs remain clean, crisp, and well preserved. Complete pages, no missing plates. A superior surviving example among existing copies. Published: Taisho 10 (1921). Format: Large oblong, approx. 380 × 270 mm. Binding: Ribbon-tied / gilt edges / gold-decorated papers. A truly exceptional artifact for collectors of Imperial Japanese military history, shrine history, or early 20th-century photography. Approximate 7-21days(To USA).
Its title translates as: “The Elite of the Imperial Japanese Navy” The album was produced to commemorate the National Defense and Industry Exposition held in Japan in 1935. Akagi would later become one of the most famous Japanese aircraft carriers of World War II, participating in the attack on Pearl Harbor before being lost at the Battle of Midway in 1942. But this album was published in 1935-six years before the Pacific War began. The album goes well beyond portraits of individual warships. It includes photographs of battleships, aircraft carriers, destroyers, naval aircraft, seaplanes, aerial formations, torpedo firing, fleet maneuvers and dramatic nighttime searchlight exercises. The opening pages also record the dates of the National Defense and Industry Exposition: From March 27, 1935 to May 10, 1935. The exposition was a public event presenting Japan’s national defense and modern industry to ordinary visitors. This gives the album another interesting historical dimension: it shows not only the Japanese Navy itself, but also how naval power and technology were presented to the Japanese public in the mid-1930s. For collectors today, the timing is particularly fascinating. Battleships still represented enormous naval power, while aircraft carriers and naval aviation were becoming increasingly important. Both worlds appear side by side in these pages. The album is more than 90 years old and shows age-related wear, staining and discoloration. Please examine the photographs carefully for condition. Own a Piece of History. International Buyers – Please Note.
This is an original 1937 Imperial Japanese Army radio communications training photo album containing approximately 65 original photographs. The cover is gilt-lettered with the large unit name: “Hirokawa Unit” and, beneath it in smaller lettering: “Ogushi Unit” “Imari Unit” It is also clearly marked: Commemorative Album for Radio Communications Training, 1937. The exact organizational relationship between these three unit names cannot be confirmed from the album alone, but all three are clearly recorded on the original cover, making this a particularly interesting unit-specific military document. The album contains far more than ordinary soldier portraits. It documents the actual training of Imperial Japanese Army communications personnel, including instructors, assistant instructors, trainees, classroom instruction, radio equipment, field exercises, and unit life. Original Japanese captions visible in the album include: “Instructors and Assistant Instructors” “Trainees” “Hirokawa Unit Headquarters Staff” “Communications Training, Part 1″ “Communications Training, Part 2″ “Receiving Apparatus” “Telegraph Key” “Air-Ground Communication” One of the most striking photographs shows soldiers wearing headphones while practicing radio reception inside a classroom. Another shows an instructor teaching communications procedures at a blackboard. These images provide an unusually direct look at how Imperial Japanese Army signal personnel were actually trained before the Pacific War. The album also contains numerous outdoor radio training photographs. Several images show soldiers gathered around field radio sets with antennas erected in the open. Original caption labels include: Type 94 No. 5 Group” “Type 15 No. 3 Group” “Type 15 No. 5 Group These photographs appear to document training groups organized around specific communications equipment. Another particularly interesting photograph is captioned Air-Ground Communication. It shows personnel working with communication equipment while large ground panels are spread out in an open field, apparently as part of training for communication or signaling between ground units and aircraft. In addition to the technical training photographs, the album includes images of officers, unit headquarters personnel, military vehicles, barracks life, meals, large group portraits, monuments, buildings, and scenes believed to have been taken in Manchuria. Many photographs are accompanied by original Japanese caption labels and handwritten Romanized notes. This is not simply a collection of unrelated military photographs. It is a coherent visual record of the same soldiers, units, equipment, and communications training program. Military communications were the nervous system of an army. Orders, intelligence, artillery coordination, movement, and contact between ground and air units all depended on trained signal personnel. The men shown in this album were part of that invisible network. With approximately 65 original period photographs, named units, communications equipment, classroom training, field radio exercises, and air-ground communication scenes, this album is an exceptionally interesting source for collectors and researchers of: Imperial Japanese Army Signal Corps Military Radio Communications Manchuria Japanese Field Radios Prewar Military Training Military Communications History The album cover shows age-related wear, rubbing, edge loss, and deterioration. The photographs and album pages also show age-related toning, staining, lifting, and other signs of age. Please examine all photographs carefully for the exact condition. Own a Piece of History. International Buyers – Please Note.
This is an original graduation commemorative photo album from Chuo Technical School in Tokyo, dated February 1929. Founded in 1909, Chuo Technical School trained practical engineers in fields such as architecture, machinery, electrical work, civil engineering, and surveying. Although it was a civilian technical school, these fields stood very close to Japan’s military, government, and industrial infrastructure during the prewar period. One particularly interesting feature is the portrait of the school’s principal, Rensaku Hayashi, a former Imperial Japanese Army Major General. This gives the album an unusual historical context. It is not a military academy album, but it shows how civilian technical education and the military world could overlap in prewar Japan. Skills such as surveying, civil engineering, construction, and mechanical engineering were essential not only to civilian development, but also to military logistics, fortifications, transport, and engineering units. The album contains portraits of faculty and students, group photographs, and a photograph of the school flag bearing the word “Kenjitsu, ” meaning “steadfast” or practical and sincere. These young men graduated in 1929, only two years before the Manchurian Incident. Many of them would go on to live and work through the period in which Japan rapidly expanded its heavy industry, infrastructure, and military mobilization. Rather than showing soldiers already at war, this album captures something earlier: the generation of young technical men who entered Japanese society just before the country moved into the turbulent 1930s and wartime era. There is age-related wear, staining, and deterioration around the binding. Please carefully examine the photographs for condition. Own a Piece of History. International Buyers – Please Note.
At the time, Notoro was commanded by Captain Teizo Minami. The front cover is clearly marked: “North China Security / Shanghai Incident” “Showa 7″ (1932) “Notoro” Notoro was originally built as an oiler and was later converted for use as a seaplane tender, becoming part of the early development of Imperial Japanese naval aviation. During the First Shanghai Incident in 1932, aircraft from Notoro operated in the Shanghai area on reconnaissance and combat-related missions. This is therefore more than a souvenir album. Seaplane tenders played an important role before aircraft carriers became dominant, supporting reconnaissance, observation, and other aviation operations. For that reason, this album is also an interesting document of the early era of Japanese naval aviation. The binding has significant age-related damage and some pages show staining and wear. Please review the photos carefully for condition. Recommended for collectors of the Imperial Japanese Navy, seaplane tenders, naval aviation, the First Shanghai Incident, and prewar military photography. Own a Piece of History. International Buyers – Please Note.