what is it???

[tokenhead]

hello,
this has me confused&hope someone can figure this out for me...i thought it unusual as it has a chinese soldier&cannon w/the statue of liberty in the background.any ideas? thanks everybody!!!

 

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[zendog64]

The map should confirm my theory. In the pictures, that map is actually upside down. The mass of islands on the left is indeed Japan, and the continent on the right is Asia. That little peninsula on the Asian land mass is Korea. If you look at Japan, the smaller of the two main islands is Hokkaido, which is directly across the Sea of Japan from Russia.

Take your picture showing the detail of the map, turn it upside down and compare it to this map, and you'll see what I mean:

http://www.askasia.org/images/teachers/display/59.jpg

 

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[tokenhead]

Zendog64...i see what your saying,interesting! thanks again!!

 

[Monty]

There is also a monogram of some type right about where the Hawaiian Islands should be. Something to do with Pearl Harbor perhaps? I think Japanese also. But N. Vietnam, Red China and the Soviet Union also used a red star military emblem. Monty

 

[DCMatt]

The kanji characters say - Japan Sea - but we already knew that, didn't we...

The map (and Japanese writing) being upsidedown might imply American made. If it were Japanese made, the characters would have been right-side-up.

Possibly a trinket from the world cruise of the Great White Fleet (1907)? The cruise was a show of strength as well as a diplomatic mission. It went to Japan and, no doubt, took gifts (it's a Japanese tradition).

My wildly speculative mind says these ashtrays were made for the voyage but the mistake was discovered and they never made the trip. Maybe then given to US sailors who didn't care if it was wrong or not.

Of course, I'm making all this up. But what can I say... I work for the government.

DCMatt

 

[tokenhead]

Thank's DCMatt&Monty!,if i could get a clearer closeup you can see characters on each peice of land&what you might be refering to as a monogram MAY also be a signature? CO.name? i'll try and get a closer pic.

 

[DCMatt]

There is also a monogram of some type right about where the Hawaiian Islands should be. Something to do with Pearl Harbor perhaps? I think Japanese also. But N. Vietnam, Red China and the Soviet Union also used a red star military emblem. Monty

Right-side-up or up-side-down, the Hawaiian Islands would not appear on this map.

DCMatt

 

[tokenhead]

There is also a monogram of some type right about where the Hawaiian Islands should be. Something to do with Pearl Harbor perhaps? I think Japanese also. But N. Vietnam, Red China and the Soviet Union also used a red star military emblem. Monty

Right-side-up or up-side-down, the Hawaiian Islands would not appear on this map.

DCMatt

While holding it right below last button on jacket inside the harbor/bay looking section,i'll try&get shot of it.

 

[DCMatt]

Here is a depiction of Japanese soldiers from 1904 (upper right). Looks very much like the guy on your piece. Not 100% sure, but I think this uniforms changed considerably around 1911, although dress uniforms may have kept the tall kepi for some years afterward.

DCMatt

 

[DCMatt]

OK, is it my imagination or is there a small dotted line leading to a point where the two land masses are close together?

If so, that is approximately the spot where the Japanese Navy destroyed the Russian Navy in the battle of Tsushima Strait (1904). No idea what the Statue of Liberty would have to do with it. I'm just making an observation.

Remember, the ashtray map is upsidedown.

What do you think?

DCMatt

 

[zendog64]

DCMatt,

awesome picture of the uniforms that you were able to dig up. You're absolutely right about the uniforms changing in 1911. The Japanese Imperial Army did not start wearing khaki until after the Russo-Japanese War, and khaki became the standard uniform color in 1911. Before then, the uniforms could have been any of several different colors, much like the Zouave (not sure if I spelled that right) regiments of the American civil war. So the picture you posted may depict different eras of the uniform. the standard khaki uniform that was worn from 1911 on featured red passants sewn onto the shoulder, as well as the red-striped kepi. I have never before seen the type of kepi being worn on the khaki soldiers in the left of the picture though. Perhaps artillery regiments wore a different color kepi.

 

[NGE]

Where's SWR when ya need him?.........

 

[auger]

Here is a depiction of Japanese soldiers from 1904 (upper right). Looks very much like the guy on your piece. Not 100% sure, but I think this uniforms changed considerably around 1911, although dress uniforms may have kept the tall kepi for some years afterward.

DCMatt

The image in the upper right intrigues me. What are the details of this picture? One side seems to depict the sword in a passive posture and on the other, an aggressive posture. Is this a depiction of a surrender?

 

[tokenhead]

Thank's everybody...DCMatt,i dont see a dotted line on eat.it's driving me nut's!

 

[zendog64]

Auger,

The picture (which appears to be a Meiji print) depicts russians surrending to the japanese. the soldiers with the swords in the submission are wearing imperial russian army uniforms (if you look closely at their faces, you'll see that they are caucasian) Compare to this similar Meiji print:

http://www.adamsjapaneseprints.com/numberedPages/1849xl.htm

 

[auger]

Auger,

The picture (which appears to be a Meiji print) depicts russians surrending to the japanese. the soldiers with the swords in the submission are wearing imperial russian army uniforms (if you look closely at their faces, you'll see that they are caucasian) Compare to this similar Meiji print:

http://www.adamsjapaneseprints.com/numberedPages/1849xl.htm

Thanks for the info!