1941 Matsushima Japanese Propaganda View of Pear Harbor Atack

A rare World War II Japanese view propagandizing the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The view, by the artist Matsushima was issued on December 10, 1941 (Showa 16), just three days after the fateful attack which precipitated U.S. involvement in World War II. The view looks on the naval base at Ford Island (Pearl Harbor) and 'Battleship Row' from an elevated position northwest of the Island and is based upon a famous photo taken by a Japanese plane during the attack. Japanese fighter and bomber planes fill the sky and U.S. battleships appear in ruins while the naval port burns.

Publication History and Census

Published on December 10, 1941 (Showa 16). Based upon a photo taken by a Japanese pilot during the attack, but embellished and painted by the Japanese artist Matsushima. We have not been able to locate any other examples in institutional collections or online.