Pre-WWII Manchurian Incident Battle Print Japanese Army General Staff Collection For Sale

This item is an original pre-World War II Japanese military print from the official series

“Manchurian Incident Large Battle Illustrations” (No. 2), published in the early Shōwa period.

The illustrated battle scene depicts the Nanling engagement involving the Kuramoto Company, and the caption printed at the bottom of the artwork clearly states:

“Battle of Nanling by the Kuramoto Company (Independent Garrison Infantry Battalion No. 1).”

This confirms that the print records a specific unit and a specific engagement, rather than being a generic or symbolic war illustration.

Official Military Provenance

On the explanatory page, the print is marked “Collection of the Japanese Army General Staff”, indicating that it was preserved and used as an official military record.

These works were created not merely for publication, but for historical documentation, tactical study, and institutional memory within the Imperial Japanese Army.

Reverse Side – Summary of the Text

The reverse side contains a detailed written explanation describing:

• The terrain around the Nanling area
• The disposition and movement of Japanese and opposing forces
• The operational role of the Kuramoto Company during the engagement
• How the unit advanced, maneuvered, and adapted to battlefield conditions

The text is written in a formal military-report style and closely corresponds with the accompanying tactical map, offering rare insight into how the Japanese Army analyzed and recorded battlefield actions at the time.

About the Artwork

The illustration was created by Yoshikichi Imamura, an Imperial Japanese Army infantry lieutenant colonel.

As a career military officer, Imamura’s work reflects a realistic and tactical perspective—showing troop movement, use of terrain, and battlefield posture with notable clarity.

Historical Significance

The Manchurian Incident (1931–) marked a decisive turning point that led directly toward the Pacific War and World War II.

Original military prints from this period—especially those that:

• Identify specific units
• Include General Staff provenance
• Combine artwork with tactical maps and written analysis

have become increasingly scarce.

This is not merely an illustration, but a primary historical document—a tangible artifact from the early expansion phase of Imperial Japan.

Own a genuine piece of pre-WWII military history.

Details

• Type: Pre-WWII Japanese military print
• Series: Manchurian Incident Large Battle Illustrations (No. 2)
• Unit: Kuramoto Company, Independent Garrison Infantry Battalion No. 1
• Provenance: Japanese Army General Staff Collection
• Artist: Yoshikichi Imamura (Imperial Japanese Army Infantry Lt. Colonel)
• Size: Approx. 305 × 225 mm
• Condition: Age-related discoloration, stains, wear, and small tears present
  (Consistent with original prewar Shipping

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