SENSEN SHOCHOKU: IMPERIAL DECLARATION OF JAPAN-RUSSIA WAR. [A LITHOGRAPHIC SCROL

[Dated Meiji 37th year 1904], no publisher. Large Kakemono, hanging scroll, very clean, restored, recently re-mounted, Huanghuali ends,blue silk borders,image size:38.6 x 95.6 cm. overall 49 x 173 cm, beautifully mounted.* RARE LITHOGRAPH * . *** **** *** . . THE MEIJI EMPEROR'S FORMAL DECLARATION OF WAR ON RUSSIA . . . CELEBRATING JAPAN'S SURPRISE ATTACK ON RUSSIA IN 1904 . . . A STUNNING LITHOGRAPHY OF THE EMPEROR MEIJI . . . MARKING THE OPENING OF THE RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR . . * The subject is of the Meiji Tenno [Emperor] [1852-1912] in his thirty-seventh year of reign, he was 52 years old, being Emperor from 1867. . This memorial lithograph celebrated and marked the beginning of the Russo-Japanese War which began on February 8, 1904. . The war began late that night when Japan launched a surprise attack against the Russian-held Port Arthur, along the coast of Manchuria, signaling the beginning the Russo-Japanese War. . The Emperor is dressed in his military uniform, replete with his campaign medals, ceremonial sword and hat partially hidden on his right-read side. . During the Emperor's reign, Japan was dramatically transformed from a feudal country into one of the great powers of the modern world. . This is a very RARE & OBSCURE graphic example of Japanese pride in her Emperor who transformed Japan into a modern society, an equal to other western powers of the time. . *** RARITY: THE EMPEROR'S SEAL AND NAME: . The scroll has the Emperor's "Gyomei Gyoji," the Emperor's name and seal, an abbreviation of the Emperor's name. Such Imperial names & Hanko [seal] is only found on official Imperials documents. Such superb examples of things with the Emperor's name are seldom found and always RARE! . *** THE KAKIMONO: HANGING SCROLL . The work is a mounted Japanese style Kakimono [hanging scroll], with a stunning black & white lithograph of the Emperor. A stunning and impressive graphic example of the Emperor Meiji. . The image is printed in black ink, with gold top and side decorations. . Overall it measures 49 x 173 cm. With the original top & bottom border brown cloth with old gilt gold threads [partially worn], with sky-blue original Imperial designed top, sides & bottom paper border. . The whole old original Kakimono has been beautifully restored on a recent single long sheet mounting with blue-silk patterned border mounting expertly & tastefully executed. . The matching pair of rare & prized Huanghuali hard wood scroll ends are solid, with excellent naturally-matching grained pattern, polished without any lacquer or stain coloring. . With excellent presentation, ready for exhibition and display. . *** Color photos are posted to our website. . *** CONDITION: This is an original period item, superbly restored and protected. There is some of the typical, usual and expected minor signs of age and use, with minor 'toning' of the thick paper. There are a few minor imperfections to the text, small chips or scuffs, common for an item over 120 years old. . The image of the Emperor is excellent, without scuff, scratch or flaw. There is some of the usual but very minor feint and nearly unnoticeable old water stain to the paper, along with some sings of paper discoloring. We are commonly over scrutinizing & stating the defects, in essence this example is quite nice and very presentable. . By and large a stunning example never found since its issue. The scroll is firm and solid. . *** REFERENCES: . See Google for more on the Meiji Emperor * Donald Keene: Emperor of Japan: Meiji and His World, 1852-1912 * W. G. Beasley: The Meiji Restoration * S. C. M. Paine: The Japanese Empire: Grand Strategy from the Meiji Restoration to the Pacific War. * Wikipedia article: Japanese_declaration_of_war_against_Russia%2C_10_February_19 04. This article shows the Declaration in English . *.…