WWII Imperial Japanese Army Propaganda Art Portfolio 1943 Complete w/ Box Rare

Description

View WWII Imperial Japanese Army Propaganda Art Portfolio 1943 Complete w/ Box Rare with current marketplace pricing, condition, product images and item details. For collectors, it is a tangible piece of World War II history – a fusion of art and militaria. Where: Created and printed in Tokyo, Japan, under the auspices of the Imperial Japanese Army’s art program. .main1 { border: 1px solid #000;border-radius: 5px;margin: 0 auto;width: 100%;padding: 0 20px 10px;background: #fff;box-sizing: border-box;word-break: break-all; }.main1 p,.main1 span { line-height: 24px;font-size: 18px }.main1 h1 { font-size: 26px !important; margin: 30px 0;text-align: center; color: #000 }.main1 h2 { margin: 0 0 10px 0; color: #000; font-size: 22px; line-height:1.2; text-align: left }.main1 p,.main1 .product_dec div { margin: 0; padding: 0 0 20px 0; color: #333; text-align: left }.margin-bottom_change{ padding-bottom: 10px !important }h2 { background-color: #1190d9;color: #fff !important;padding: 10px 20px; } Description When: Published in 1943 (Showa 18) during World War II, this portfolio emerged at the height of Japan’s “Greater East Asia War.” Despite the tides of war turning by late 1943, the Imperial Japanese Army released this art collection to commemorate and glorify its early wartime victories. It captures a moment in history when the nation’s leaders sought to bolster morale through powerful imagery, even as the conflict intensified. Where: Created and printed in Tokyo, Japan, under the auspices of the Imperial Japanese Army’s art program. The Army Art Association (陸軍美術協会) supervised the production. This portfolio was distributed domestically (not sold in stores) as a propaganda piece for the home front. It was intended to be showcased in schools, institutions, or military offices to inspire patriotism. Each artwork is presented on large sheets so they could even be displayed individually on walls, bringing the war’s scenes from distant battlefronts into the homes and halls of Japan. Who: Commissioned by the Imperial Japanese Army, the artwork in this collection was created by some of Japan’s most renowned wartime artists. Famed painters – including Tsuguharu Fujita (Léonard Foujita), Ryohei Koiso, Genichiro Inokuma, Saburo Miyamoto, Ryushi Kawabata, and others – contributed paintings that were selected for this portfolio. These artists served as official war painters (従軍画家), sent with the troops to document battles and heroics. Their firsthand observations and artistic talent imbue each image with authenticity and emotional weight, making the collection not only a propaganda tool but also a record by prominent figures in Japanese art history. What: A rare WWII Japanese Army war art portfolio titled “大東亜戦争 陸軍作戦記録画集” (“Greater East Asia War – Army Operations Record Art Collection”). This complete set contains a series of vivid color lithograph plates that narrate key military operations from the early Pacific War (1941–1942). The portfolio comprises: 14 large color lithograph prints (each approx. 33 × 42 cm, about 13 × 16.5 inches), each depicting dramatic battle scenes or military moments in rich detail and color. From jungle firefights to beach landings, each print tells a story. Original tissue guards protecting each print, emblazoned with printed captions (in Japanese) describing the scene. Commentary booklet (softcover pamphlet) with historical context and artist commentary for each painting (in Japanese text). Original cloth-covered case (portfolio box) with a printed title label. The case is sturdy with slots to hold the prints and booklet, and bears the proudly printed title and Army insignia, acting as the “cover” of this art collection. Every element is original to 1943. The lithographs are richly colored, bringing to life scenes like the fierce charge through barbed wire at Kota Bharu in Malaya and the last stand of Japanese forces on Attu Island. The visual storytelling is striking – you can almost feel the tropical heat, the adrenaline of battle, and the resolve of the soldiers depicted. This portfolio was crafted so that each print could be removed for display, underscoring the visual impact these images were meant to have on viewers. Why: Wartime Propaganda & Historical Significance. In an era before television, art was a potent medium of storytelling and persuasion. The Imperial Japanese government produced this portfolio to boost public morale and celebrate the Army’s exploits. By showcasing heroic and triumphal scenes (and omitting any hint of setbacks), it aimed to maintain hope and fighting spirit on the home front even as war news grew grim. Each artwork served as propaganda, portraying Japanese soldiers as brave, determined, and victorious, thus justifying the war effort and inspiring unity. Today, beyond its original propaganda intent, this portfolio holds profound historical value. It offers a window into how Japan’s military wanted its conquests to be remembered and presented to its people. For collectors, it is a tangible piece of World War II history – a fusion of art and militaria. The involvement of famous artists like Fujita adds artistic significance, and the portfolio format preserves a narrative of the war as envisioned in 1943. It’s both a wartime relic and a conversation piece that tells the story of a nation at war through art. How: Production, Survival, and Collectibility. The making of this collection was an elaborate process: after major battles like the fall of Singapore, the invasion of the Philippines, or the Burma campaign, military artists were tasked to capture these events on canvas. In late 1942, a grand war art exhibition in Tokyo displayed these paintings. The Army Ministry’s Press Bureau then selected the most impactful works (from over 20 large paintings) and had them faithfully reproduced as high-quality lithographs. The result is this deluxe folio edition, printed in limited quantity (not available to the general public). As a limited wartime issue produced under rationed supplies, very few copies were made, and even fewer have survived intact. Many such sets were lost in air raids, discarded during Japan’s postwar occupation (when militaria was often destroyed), or broken up over time. This complete set with all components present is exceedingly rare. It has been preserved remarkably well: there is visible foxing (age-related spotting) on some pages and the case, as shown in the photos, but the item remains complete and structurally sound. The prints are still vibrant, the binding ribbons/hinges of the case intact, and the delicate tissue overlays and booklet are still in place – a testament to careful storage across eight decades. Owning this portfolio is like holding a time capsule from 1943. For militaria enthusiasts and historians, it is a prized collector’s piece due to its limited issuance, powerful visuals, and historical context. Whether you’re drawn to its artistic merits, its historical significance, or its storied journey through time, this collection stands out as an artifact that immerses you in the World War II experience from the Japanese perspective. Own a Piece of History. Shipping Fedex or Japan post International Buyers - Please Note: Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying. Thank you for your understanding. Condition: Used. Category: Collectibles › Militaria › WW II (1939-45) › Original Period Items › Japan › Books.

Country of Origin

Japan

Conflict

WW II (1939-45)

Original/Reproduction

Original

Theme

Militaria

Region of Origin

Japan