Antique Japanese Military 1937 Cruiser Iwate Foreign Voyage Commemoration Tobacco Box
This is an antique Japanese military commemorative tobacco box, decorated on the lid with an embossed picture of a Japanese ship with a sail moving in the sea. Under the lid are the words "Showa 12th Year Training Fleet Long Distance Voyage Commemoration" and "Warship Iwate". The Iwate went with Yakumo to the Mediterranean in 1937. These Russo Japanese era cruisers were designated as part of the training fleet and were used to train up cadet officers on ships. These long distance voyages were meant to help them learn navigation and such things. The box is made of some kind of shiny metal - possibly silver plated. I found a picture online supposedly from 1937 for the Iwate - you can see the cadets there.
Condition: There's some surface discoloration. The lid might have been attached originally to the base, but is now loose as a two piece.
Size: 4" x 3.5" x 2"
