Sign In

Rare Japanese Serio-Comic map, decrying the Imperialist actions of Russia.

A fascinating and richly illustrated Serio-Comic map, providing a Japanese-centric view of Russian political and military aggression at the beginning of the 20th Century.

The principal imagery shows tiny Japan firing a bullet directly into the forehead of the massive, militaristic Russian Octopus, whose 8 tentacles eminate from its beard, crushing to death a number of Baltic and Eastern European nations and ominously threatening China, Tibet and other Asian nations.

The very descriptive Kanji text panel translates approximately as follows:

(whom did Japan think of itself ?)

Russia outlaws devours the weaker countries. With more than 2500 years of arrogance, they do not know remorse. Our country punishes Russia and is playing an active part to help a neighboring country.

If here we explain Russia and the relations of all the countries of the world as a funny map, Finland, Poland, Montenegro, Serbia, Bulgaria, Rumanian six countries were coiled around Russian mustache, and lifeblood has been sucked, already became skeleton.

The wealthy do not fight, the United Kingdom on the sidelines.

France has become the Bank of Russia.

Germany is disgusted with tyranny of Russia. He watching whereabouts of the Russo-Japanese War with folded arms.

Spain and Portugal are indifferent to Russia, and they take a nap.

Italy has no time for it with Roma.

Arabic is also just looking drooling.

Let sleeping dogs lie.

Ms Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Swiss wisdom.

Denmark brag of being an independent country small.

Hungary was about to fight against each other saying "I do not like behavior of Russia", and has been restrained by Austria.

Turkey has been bitten in Greece in an attempt to avoid the mustache.

Persia also wrapped in the mustache of Russia, stifling.

Tibet's right hand is caught by the mustache.

Burma, Siam, Annam cannot but say grace towards Japan.

China and Korea which was nearly saved from the Russian mustache, depend on Japan.

So, fired bullets to red beard of Russia that has been stretched to Japan.

The ridiculousness of Russia upset.

Handwritten Kanji text on the verso describes the original acquisition of the map, etc. as follows:

Cavalry division cavalry messenger of the second D.H.Q. Tacjobana.
January 24, 1905 mailing
I send it from the battle front. Arrival of February 5
Souvenir to Eiken