Very Rare Antique Japanese Military 1937 China Incident Oiler Naruto Lacquer Tobacco Box
This is an antique Japanese military tobacco box, made of lacquered wood and decorated on the lid with a big naval insignia. The words under the lid are "Showa 12th Year (1937) Special Purpose Warship Naruto China Incident Dispatch Commemoration". The Naruto was an oiler of the Imperial Japanese Navy and was launched in the 1920s. It participated in many major engagements in WW2, including the Battle of Midway, and sank in Rabaul (the English wiki entry is incorrect as Naruto actually sailed out for Midway and refueled the fleet along the way). The box has three parts - lid, box, and a tray underneath. The box also comes in original wooden box with a paper wrapper that is stamped by the shop, and the name for the shop under the lid of the box - both the same, and from the same shop as the other Naruto set I'm selling. I think these are from the same person.
Condition: The box and the lid are in excellent condition - very minor surface wear. The bottom tray has one spot where it's cracked slightly, please see pictures. The outer box's lid is warped and lose one of the inner rails.
Size: The box is about 4"x5", the tray is 6"x6.5"