[FUJITA, TSUGUHARU]. 藤田嗣治.

繪卷アッツ島血戰. [Emaki Attsutō kesen].<BR> [Bloody Battle on Attu Island Illustrated].

東京. [Tokyo]. 陸軍美術協會出版部. [Rikugun Bijutsu Kyōkai Shuppanbu]. Showa 19 [ 1944]. Stock ID #221444

Colour and black and white illustrations, interpretive Jaapnese text, 18.2 x 25.5cm, [52]pp, pictorial upper cover. Original paper wrappers little soiled and browned otherwise very good. Scarce.

The Battle of Attu was fought between Japanese and United States forces in May 1943. Attu lies at the western end of the Aleutian Islands, off Alaska. Japanese troops had occupied the island in June 1942, but the United States recaptured it after intense fighting the following May. Cut off from outside assistance, almost the entire Japanese garrison of approximately 2,400 men was killed, with only a small number surviving.


In Japan, the defeat was officially presented as gyokusai (玉砕), or honourable death through total sacrifice. This was the first occasion during the war on which the term was widely used by the Japanese authorities to glorify the destruction of an entire military force. Similar representations of mass death and sacrifice would become increasingly prominent later in the conflict.

This illustrated book was published in July 1944 and names Fujita Tsuguharu as its author. Fujita, then chairman of the Army Art Association, was a renowned artist who had worked in Paris before returning to Japan and becoming closely involved in the production of art supporting the war effort.

The book opens with Fujita’s celebrated painting Attō Gyokusai, commonly translated as The Last Stand on Attu or Honourable Death on Attu Island, accompanied by three enlarged details of the work. A further twenty-four artists contributed illustrations to the publication. In his foreword, Fujita states that the role of artists was to depict the battle, honour the soldiers’ sacrifice and inspire young people to contribute more fully to the war effort.



Each illustration is accompanied by an interpretive text. The final section directly promotes increased mobilisation for the war, including greater aircraft production and the conscription of university students.

When referring to this item please quote stockid 221444.

Price: $400.00 AU

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