Offered by Over The Blue Horizon and recently obtained in Tokyo is a very nice copy of the vintage and very difficult-to-obtain “JAPANESE NAVAL VESSELS ILLUSTRATED, 1869-1945, VOLUME 2: CRUISERS, CORVETTES & SLOOPS” by noted expert Shizuo Fukui.

This rare pictorial book is one of the best publications available on the subject, and this particular volume is probably the most difficult-to-find single volume from the 3 volume set that was printed in the 1970/1980s.  In many ways, this volume is superior to the Diamond-Sha set that was more recently available through the Kure Museum but trivialities aside, this book is exceptional.  Chapters are: Genesis of Cruisers; Introduction of Early Protected Cruisers; The Matsushima Class Hybrids, the Akitsushima and the Izumi; The Protected Cruisers Between War 1894-5 and War 1904-5; The Last Protected Cruisers; Battle Armoured Cruisers In The War 1904-05 And The Beginning of Battle Cruisers; High Speed Light Cruisers of the 8-8 Fleet Program; Heavy in World War II; and the Light Cruisers After the 1937 Shipbuilding Program.  At the back end of the book, there are additional sections with 'Particulars of Ships', 'Historical Data' and Index.

Superb photography throughout and everything about this book is absolutely first-class.  Text is in Japanese with very limited English-language but considering its quality and rarity, this book is an absolute essential addition to any serious Imperial Japanese Navy student or advanced modeler.  Although used, when we purchased it, it was wrapped in protective plastic wrap; see the scans ... Note that this book is expensive even in Japan.

 This 472-page, 11.75 x 8.5 inch hardcover is in a slipcase. It was published by KK Bestsellers Publishing in 1980 and we rate its overall condition as VERY GOOD.  The silver slipcase shows moderate shelf wear but the book is in VERY GOOD condition -- it has held up exceptionally well.  Note that Over The Blue Horizon ships from the USA but regardless of where you are in the world, buy with absolute confidence from a well-established eBay merchant with a sterling reputation.

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