Japanese Ministry of the Navy. Wagakuni Yushu Tsunyu Jokyo. Offset color-printed data visualization map of the world on 4 sheets joined. 58 1/2x81 inches overall; folded, generally excellent with only minor scattered foxing. Japan, Showa 3 (1928).
Massive chart referencing trade goods, raw materials, and other economic resources around the world, but with particular concentration on the naval strengths of Great Britain (vertical bar graph at left), Japan (center), and the United States (right); a focused intelligence chart by the Japanese Naval Department demonstrating the Empire's vulnerability as compared to other world powers. The Washington Naval Treaty of 1922 limited the Allied nations of World War I from naval construction in the hopes of avoiding an international arms race; The London Naval Treaty of 1930 (two years after this map was published) sought to further increase regulations. Within several years Japan had officially renounced these sanctions with an eye towards major naval expansion, a clear concern and goal illustrated by this map, and an obvious indication that conflict was brewing.
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Japanese Imperial Naval Office. Dai Toa Senso Sekai Yozu. Offset color-printed naval intelligence map of the world on 4 sheets joined. 42x85 inches overall; folded, stain at center. Japan, Showa 17 (1942)
Published by the Japanese Naval Office one year into World War II, this monumentally-sized map shows the world at war and records all the major Japanese naval conflicts from December 8, 1941 to November 1942. Focusing on the Pacific theater, some noted battles and events include Pearl Harbor, Battle of Midway, Battle of the Coral Sea, the sinking of the U.S.S. Lexington, the invasion of the Aleutians and Japanese submarines off the California coast for the bombardment of Ellwood.
