Highlights from the Archives

Highlights from the Archives

The Hoover Institution Library & Archives hold more than six thousand archival collections from 171 countries. Discover some of the many collections and objects related to propaganda and modern Japan.

2021C2_001
ENLARGE

Russian POWs in the Nagoya camp, postcard 1

Collection

Miyawaki Noboru Papers (2021C2)

Date

1905

Medium

Collotype photo-postcard

Credit

Miyawaki Noboru Papers, Hoover Institution Archives (2021C2.001)

*BETA* Digital Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/54723/h35593

The Russo-Japanese war was the first war in compliance with the Hague Convention “Laws and customs of war on land” (1899). The Annex to the Convention contained Chapter II: “Prisoners of war”. Article 4 states: “They must be humanely treated.” During the Russo-Japanese war of 1904–1905, over 70,000 Russian POWs were sent to Japan. They lived in camps in different towns across Japan for about a year and a half. Japan strongly promoted the care with which they treated their Russian captives, though the topic requires further scholarly investigation.

2021C2_002
ENLARGE

Sport of Russian Prisoners in the "Higashi Honganji" Quarter, Nagoya, Japan

Creator

Kazumasa Ogawa (1860–1929)

Collection

Miyawaki Noboru Papers (2021C2)

Date

1905

Medium

Halftone photo-postcard

Credit

Miyawaki Noboru Papers, Hoover Institution Archives (2021C2.002)

*BETA* Digital Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/54723/h3902z

Russian POWs in the Nagoya camp, postcard 2. This postcard is by Isshin Ogawa—an alternate name used by Japanese photography and printing pioneer Kazumasa Ogawa (1860–1929). Ogawa was an official photographer for the Japanese military during the Russo-Japanese War and also produced a number of photo albums showcasing the war.

2021C2_003
ENLARGE

Russian POWs in the Nagoya camp, postcard 3

Collection

Miyawaki Noboru Papers (2021C2)

Date

1905

Medium

Collotype photo-postcard

Credit

Miyawaki Noboru Papers, Hoover Institution Archives (2021C2.003)

*BETA* Digital Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/54723/h31g76

The Russo-Japanese war was the first war in compliance with the Hague Convention “Laws and customs of war on land” (1899). The Annex to the Convention contained Chapter II: “Prisoners of war”. Article 4 states: “They must be humanely treated.” During the Russo-Japanese war of 1904–1905, over 70,000 Russian POWs were sent to Japan. They lived in camps in different towns across Japan for about a year and a half. Japan strongly promoted the care with which they treated their Russian captives, though the topic requires further scholarly investigation.

2021C2_004
ENLARGE

Enjoyment of Russian Prisoners in the Garden of teh "Choeiji" Quarter, Nagoya, Japan

Creator

Kazumasa Ogawa (1860–1929)

Collection

Miyawaki Noboru Papers (2021C2)

Date

1905

Medium

Halftone photo-postcard

Credit

Miyawaki Noboru Papers, Hoover Institution Archives (2021C2.004)

*BETA* Digital Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/54723/h3wp4w

Russian POWs in the Nagoya camp, postcard 4. This postcard is by Isshin Ogawa—an alternate name used by Japanese photography and printing pioneer Kazumasa Ogawa (1860–1929). Ogawa was an official photographer for the Japanese military during the Russo-Japanese War and also produced a number of photo albums showcasing the war.

2021C2_005
ENLARGE

Shashin shohō Special Edition, "Photo Album of the Enemy Army and Navy"

Title - Transcribed

写真書法臨時増刊『陸海敵軍写真帖』第十九巻

Collection

Miyawaki Noboru Papers (2021C2)

Date

1905 May

Medium

Periodical

Credit

Miyawaki Noboru Papers, Hoover Institution Archives (2021C2.005)

*BETA* Digital Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/54723/h3202s

This special edition photo album, volume 19, of a photography periodical has roughly 32 pages of halftone monochrome prints with Japanese and English captions. Most show scenes of Russia, its royal family, and its army and navy. The first fold-out plate is in color and shows a print by K. Odake titled Brutality of the Russian Troops. The last fold out page shows three panoramic photo-prints of Vladivotock, Harbin, and Port Arthur. The rest of the periodical is mainly Japanese text.

2021C2_006
ENLARGE

The Russo-Japanese War: Taken by the Photographic Department of the Imperial Headquarters, No. 13

Title - Transcribed

大本営写真班撮影、陸地測量部蔵版『日露戦役写真帖第三軍』

Creator

Kazumasa Ogawa (1860–1929)

Collection

Miyawaki Noboru Papers (2021C2)

Date

1905 June 20

Medium

Periodical

Credit

Miyawaki Noboru Papers, Hoover Institution Archives (2021C2.006)

*BETA* Digital Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/54723/h3dp4j

This is number 13 from a series of 23 photograph collections featuring the Japanese military during the Russo-Japanese War, and it focuses on the Third Army. Published by Kazumasa Ogawa over the period of 1904–5 it states "Copyright 1904, by The Military Survey Department." Ogawa was a photography pioneer in Japan and an official photographer for the Japanese military during the war. This volume is a large oblong 4to (roughly 10” x 15”) with stiff red paper wraps that have printing in black on both front and back covers. It has very little text with only a title page, listing of plates, and ends with a colophon. All plates are halftone prints and have Japanese and English descriptive titles on the plate. The plates are generally printed both front and back, and the volume reads from back to front in the Japanese style.

2021C2_007
ENLARGE

The Japanese Graphic, 1904–1905 Extra Edition No. 52 "POW Photo Album"

Title - Transcribed

戦時画報 19041905 臨時増刊第五十二号『捕虜写真帳』

Title - Transliterated

Senji gahō 19041905 "Horyo shashinshū"

Editor

Kunikida Tetsuo (1871–1908)

Publisher

Kinji Gahōsha (Tōkyō)

Collection

Miyawaki Noboru Papers (2021C2)

Date

1905 May 25

Medium

Periodical

Credit

Miyawaki Noboru Papers, Hoover Institution Archives (2021C2.007)

*BETA* Digital Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/54723/h3qp5q

This special edition, no 52, of Senji gahō focuses specifically on the prisoners of war in Japan during the Russo-Japanese War. Though titled in English as The Japanese Graphic, Senji gahō literally mean “Wartime Graphic,” and is a rebranded version of Kinji Gahō Company’s regular news graphic during the Russo-Japanese War (1904–5). The photographs reproduced in this volume range from images of war booty captured from the Russians to POWs in the 29 various camps across Japan to scenes of wounded Russian soldiers receiving care from Japanese doctors and nurses. The plates of halftone photographic prints have captions in both Japanese and English, however, the main text of this periodical is in Japanese.

Bonner Frank Fellers Papers Bonner Frank Fellers Papers
ENLARGE

Bonner Frank Fellers Papers

COLLECTION NUMBER

70031

DATES (INCLUSIVE)

1904–1997

EXTENT

59 manuscript boxes, 1 oversize box, 1 oversize folder (24.1 linear feet)

Acquired in 1970, the Bonner Fellers papers relate to American propaganda and military operations in the Pacific Theater during World War II, the occupation of Japan, and postwar conservative political organizations in the United States, especially the Citizens Foreign Aid Committee. Increments arrived in 1976 and 2003. Bonner Frank Fellers was the US military secretary to General Douglas MacArthur and the head of the psychological warfare operations against Japanese combat troops during World War II. His collection contains propaganda created by both Americans and Japanese during the war.

Nippu Jiji Photo Archive Nippu Jiji Photo Archive
ENLARGE

Nippu Jiji Photo Archive

Collection

Hoji Shinbun Collection

Date

1906–1985

Credit

Copyright holder: Hawaii Times Photo Archives Foundation. Digitization: Densho. Bilingual metadata: Hoover Institution Library & Archives and National Museum of Japanese History.

The Nippu Jiji was one of the two major Japanese newspapers in Hawaii (the other was Hawaii Hōchi) with a wide readership among Japanese migrant workers. The Nippu Jiji played a pivotal role in social movements in Hawaii's Japanese community. It was initially published as the Yamato (1895–96), later as Yamato Shinbun (1896–1906) before being renamed the Nippu Jiji (1906–42) under the leadership of Yasutarō Sōga; it later became Hawaii Times (1942–85). An English section was begun in 1919.

The Nippu Jiji Photo Archives are made available at the courtesy of the Hawaii Times Photo Archives Foundation. This long-term collaborative project started with the Foundation rescuing and organizing about 25,000 published and unpublished photographs and supporting documents, once housed at Nippu Jiji, and later Hawaii Times. The Japanese Diaspora Initiative aims to make the images and rich English and Japanese descriptive metadata openly available, collection by collection, on the Hoji Shinbun Digital Collection over time.

Yokohama Shinpō Moshihogusa Yokohama Shinpō Moshihogusa
ENLARGE

Yokohama shinpō moshihogusa

Title - Transcribed

橫濱新報もしほ草

Editor

Kishida Ginkō (1833–1905)

Date

1868

Credit

Yokohama shinpō moshihogusa printed material, Hoover Institution Archives (2017C50)

Eugene M. Van Reed together with Kishida Ginkō issued one of the earliest Japanese newspapers, Yokohama shinpō moshihogusa, in 1868, featuring original content and reporting news in Japan and abroad.

Paul N. Woolf Photographic Collection Paul N. Woolf Photographic Collection
ENLARGE

Paul N. Woolf Photographic Collection

Creator

Paul N. Woolf

Date

1906 May–July

Credit

Paul N. Woolf Photographic Collection, Hoover Institution Archives (63020)

Paul Woolf was an American businessman at the American-Anglo trading company Sale & Frazar Ltd., which had offices in both Yokohama and Tokyo. He was also an amateur photographer who took pictures of rare and un-staged scenes in Tokyo and Yokohama from March to July 1906—at a time when a camera was out of reach for many Japanese. This collection of 131 original photographs taken by Woolf also features images from Nikko, Enoshima, and various Russo-Japanese War victory celebrations. There are also two handcolored photopostcards of celebratory scenes.

59009_mB_01
ENLARGE

Untitled Naval Scene, Russo-Japanese War

Creator

Unidentified (Japanese)

Collection

Jefferson Jones Collection (59009)

Date

ca. 1904–05

Medium

Sepia wash over graphite with highlights in white gouache

Credit

Jefferson Jones Collection, Hoover Institution Archives (59009.mb.01)

*Beta* Digital Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/54723/h35c8s

This drawing by a Japanese artist depicts a naval scene from the Russo-Japanese War.

59009_mB_02
ENLARGE

Untitled Naval Scene, Russo-Japanese War

Creator

Unidentified (Japanese)

Collection

Jefferson Jones Collection (59009)

Date

ca. 1904–05

Medium

Sepia wash over graphite with highlights in white gouache

Credit

Jefferson Jones Collection, Hoover Institution Archives (59009.mb.02)

*Beta* Digital Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/54723/h3ww3k

This drawing by a Japanese artist depicts a naval scene from the Russo-Japanese War, the ship on the right flying a Japanese flag.

59009_mB_03
ENLARGE

The Battle of Mukden and The Occupation of Tieling

Creator

Unidentified (Japanese)

Collection

Jefferson Jones Collection (59009)

Date

ca. 1904–05

Medium

Sepia wash over graphite

Credit

Jefferson Jones Collection, Hoover Institution Archives (59009.mb.03)

*Beta* Digital Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/54723/h3t30w

This drawing by a Japanese artist depicts three scenes from the Russo-Japanese War. The top drawing shows three soldiers during the battle of Mukden (Manchuria), the lower drawing shows Japanese troops dug in around the nearby town of Tieling, and the inset image shows the Russian occupation of Tieling. The affixed tag indicates the artwork is from Kinjisha, which is believed to be short for “Kinji gahosha” which was the company that published serial Senji gahō (The Japanese Graphic in English). The Japanese text in graphite in the upper left corner reads: the battle of Mukden, occupation of Tieling.

59009_mB_04
ENLARGE

Battle of Korsakov

Creator

Unidentified (Japanese)

Collection

Jefferson Jones Collection (59009)

Date

ca. 1904–05

Medium

Sepia wash over graphite with highlights in white gouache

Credit

Jefferson Jones Collection, Hoover Institution Archives (59009.mb.04)

*Beta* Digital Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/54723/h3jk54

This naval scene is from the Battle of Korsakov (August 20, 1904) during the Russo-Japanese War, which took place off the southern coast of Sakhalin Island. The battle was an after effect of the partially scattered Russian fleet during the Battle of the Yellow Sea. By the end of the battle, the Imperial Russian Navy protected cruiser Novik was scuttled on a sandbank off the coast of Korsakov at the hands of the Japanese vessels Tsushima and Chitose.

59009_mB_05
ENLARGE

Landing from the Coast

Creator

Unidentified (Japanese)

Collection

Jefferson Jones Collection (59009)

Date

ca. 1904–05

Medium

Sepia wash over graphite with highlights in white gouache

Credit

Jefferson Jones Collection, Hoover Institution Archives (59009.mb.05)

*Beta* Digital Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/54723/h32k5s

This drawing by a Japanese artist depicts a scene of Japanese troops landing along a coastline during the Russo-Japanese War.

59009_mB_06
ENLARGE

The World's Two Great Nations, August 17th

Creator

Unidentified (Japanese)

Collection

Jefferson Jones Collection (59009)

Date

ca. 1904–05

Medium

Sepia wash over graphite with highlights in white gouache

Credit

Jefferson Jones Collection, Hoover Institution Archives (59009.mb.06)

*Beta* Digital Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/54723/h3pc8f

This drawing by a Japanese artist depicts a battle between Japanese and Russian soldiers during the Russo-Japanese War.

59009_mB_07
ENLARGE

Japanese Battleship, Russo-Japanese War

Creator

Unidentified (Japanese)

Collection

Jefferson Jones Collection (59009)

Date

ca. 1904–05

Medium

Sepia wash over graphite with highlights in white gouache

Credit

Jefferson Jones Collection, Hoover Institution Archives (59009.mb.07)

*Beta* Digital Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/54723/h3nc84

This drawing by a Japanese artist depicts a naval scene showing a Japanese Imperial Navy battleship firing its cannons during the Russo-Japanese War.

59009_mB_08
ENLARGE

Untitled Naval Scene, Russo-Japanese War

Creator

Unidentified (Japanese)

Collection

Jefferson Jones Collection (59009)

Date

ca. 1904–05

Medium

Sepia wash over graphite with highlights in white gouache

Credit

Jefferson Jones Collection, Hoover Institution Archives (59009.mb.08)

*Beta* Digital Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/54723/h3xs47

This drawing by a Japanese artist depicts a Japanese schooner being fired upon by Imperial Russian Navy ships during the Russo-Japanese War. Based on the flag, the Japanese vessel was likely a non-military one.

59009_mB_09
ENLARGE

Untitled Winterscape, Russo-Japanese War

Creator

Unidentified (Japanese)

Collection

Jefferson Jones Collection (59009)

Date

ca. 1904–05

Medium

Sepia wash over graphite

Credit

Jefferson Jones Collection, Hoover Institution Archives (59009.mb.09)

*Beta* Digital Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/54723/h34c73

This drawing by a Japanese artist depicts a village covered in snow during the Russo-Japanese War.

59009_mB_10
ENLARGE

Victory Celebration, Russo-Japanese War

Creator

Unidentified (Japanese)

Collection

Jefferson Jones Collection (59009)

Date

ca. 1904–05

Medium

Sepia wash over graphite with highlights in white gouache

Credit

Jefferson Jones Collection, Hoover Institution Archives (59009.mb.10)

*Beta* Digital Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/54723/h3s30k

This drawing depicts a parade of carriages heading up through the palace plaza to the Seimon Gate (the main entrance to Edo Castle) as the cheering crowds wave Japanese flags. The banner held by the crowd on the left side of the image reads, "Victorious return celebration, dye wholesale business" (apparently a business advertisement). There were several such celebrations throughout Japan after the victory in the Russo-Japanese War, notably in Tokyo on October 22, 1905 and May 5, 1906.

59009_mB_11
ENLARGE

Untitled Naval Scene, Russo-Japanese War

Creator

Unidentified (Japanese)

Collection

Jefferson Jones Collection (59009)

Date

ca. 1904–05

Medium

Sepia wash over graphite with highlights in white gouache

Credit

Jefferson Jones Collection, Hoover Institution Archives (59009.mb.11)

*Beta* Digital Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/54723/h3689f

This drawing by a Japanese artist depicts a naval scene from the Russo-Japanese War.

59009_mB_12
ENLARGE

Untitled Naval Scene, Russo-Japanese War

Creator

Unidentified (Japanese)

Collection

Jefferson Jones Collection (59009)

Date

ca. 1904–05

Medium

Sepia wash over graphite with highlights in white gouache

Credit

Jefferson Jones Collection, Hoover Institution Archives (59009.mb.12)

*Beta* Digital Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/54723/h3hk5t

This drawing by a Japanese artist depicts a Japanese steamship under attack and sinking during the Russo-Japanese War.

59009_mB_13
ENLARGE

Victory Celebration at Seimon Gate, Russo-Japanese War

Creator

Unidentified (Japanese)

Collection

Jefferson Jones Collection (59009)

Date

ca. 1904–05

Medium

Sepia wash over graphite with minimal highlights in white gouache

Credit

Jefferson Jones Collection, Hoover Institution Archives (59009.mb.13)

*Beta* Digital Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/54723/h3dw37

This is a celebratory scene showing a carriage heading up through the palace plaza to the Seimon Gate (main entrance to Edo Castle) as the cheering crowds wave Japanese flags and victory banners. There were several such celebrations throughout Japan after the victory in the Russo-Japanese War, notably in Tokyo on October 22, 1905 and May 5, 1906.

59009_mB_14
ENLARGE

Untitled Battle Scene, Russo-Japanese War

Creator

Unidentified (Japanese)

Collection

Jefferson Jones Collection (59009)

Date

ca. 1904–05

Medium

Sepia wash over graphite with highlights in white gouache

Credit

Jefferson Jones Collection, Hoover Institution Archives (59009.mb.14)

*Beta* Digital Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/54723/h31k5g

This drawing by a Japanese artist depicts a Japanese regiment scaling a hillside in combat during the Russo-Japanese War.

59009_mB_15
ENLARGE

Untitled Battle Scene, Russo-Japanese War

Creator

Unidentified (Japanese)

Collection

Jefferson Jones Collection (59009)

Date

ca. 1904–05

Medium

Sepia wash over graphite with highlights in white gouache

Credit

Jefferson Jones Collection, Hoover Institution Archives (59009.mb.15)

*Beta* Digital Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/54723/h38319

This drawing by a Japanese artist depicts the Japanese in combat, in which several troops are dug in and shooting towards the unseen enemy while heavy artillery is prepared to fire, during the Russo-Japanese War.

59009_mB_16
ENLARGE

Untitled military scene, Russo-Japanese War

Creator

Unidentified (Japanese)

Collection

Jefferson Jones Collection (59009)

Date

ca. 1904–05

Medium

Sepia wash over graphite with highlights in white gouache

Credit

Jefferson Jones Collection, Hoover Institution Archives (59009.mb.16)

*Beta* Digital Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/54723/h39307

This drawing by a Japanese artist depicts Japanese troops digging in to their snow-covered location during the winter during the Russo-Japanese War.

59009_mB_17
ENLARGE

Untitled battle scene, Russo-Japanese War

Creator

Unidentified (Japanese)

Collection

Jefferson Jones Collection (59009)

Date

ca. 1904–05

Medium

Sepia wash over graphite with highlights in white gouache

Credit

Jefferson Jones Collection, Hoover Institution Archives (59009.mb.17)

*Beta* Digital Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/54723/h3cw2j

This drawing by a Japanese artist depicts Japanese troops looking up as a bridge explodes, and others run away in the distance during the Russo-Japanese War. The fleeing soldiers are likely Russian troops.