Imperial Rescript of the Declaration of War on the United States and Great Britain. Dated December 8th, 1941 (but later, printed for Military Academy Use circa 1942-1944)

Light rubbing to cloth boards and slipcase, text lightly browned. Lithographic document in Japanese,accordion form, 14 x 4 inches (350 x 105 mm). The formal announcement of a state of war delivered to the Japanese people, comprising title panel and 8 pages. Purple boards, upper cover with Imperial chrysanthemum device, and titled, edges lightly rubbed; matching original blue/green card slipcase. Laid-in: mimeograph translation in English (presumed contemporary). The document provides Japan's reasons for declaring war in December 1941, stating Japan's position in Asia as a supporter of peace, accusing the United States and Great Britain of aiding Nationalist groups in China. This is a contemporary reissue of the declaration for use in military academies. The Declaration of War was generally republished on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor throughout the War, to reinforce to the people the Japanese Right for the war.