[OWARI, MANOSUKE]. 尾張眞之介.

講談社の絵本. 大東亜戦争. [Kōdansha no ehon. Daitōa Sensō].
Greater East Asia War.

Tokyo. 大日本雄弁会講談社. [Dainihon Yūbenkai Kōdansha]. Showa 17 [ 1942]. Stock ID #180467

Map, illustrated in colour throughout with very striking double page illustrations. 64pp. Contents browned in places typical of a wartime publication such as this but still very firm. Colour pictorial wrappers worn with a few stains and small sections of abrasion or loss. 25.5 x 18cm.

A Japanese children's picture book published by Kodansha during the Pacific War and designed to teach primary school children about Japan's triumphs in the war.

Published in 1942, the book contains colourful double-spread illustrations by well-known Japanese book illustrators including Murakami Matsujiro (1897-1962) and Ito Kikuzo (1901-1985), depicting events including the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the sinking of the USS Lexington, jungle warfare, the occupation of Malaya and the Dutch East Indies, the capture of Hong Kong, fighting in mainland China, and the bombing of Singapore. The last illustration shows children lining up to donate money to the war effort.

A text section on the final pages of the book introduces its young readers to the lives and culture of children in the Philippines, Thailand, and Java, and gives an illustrated overview of the native animals of Southeast Asia. This section also includes a picture map of the countries of the region (also including the northern coastline of Australia), lavishly decorated with images of tropical trees, elephants, monkeys, local people in exotic dress etc. The text explains that the region is a 'treasure store' of resources including oil, coal, and iron ore.

An explanation of the outbreak of the Pacific War instructs children that this was a necessary response by Japan to the arrogant behaviour of the Western powers in Asia. A striking example of the type of war propaganda for children produced on a large scale in Japan during the war years.

When referring to this item please quote stockid 180467.

Price: $375.00 AU

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