This is an antique Japanese navy postcard commemorating the launch of the seaplane tender Chiyoda. The card is decorated with the ship's profile, and also a picture of the arch bridge going towards the Imperial Palace - the reason the palace is there is because the palace was the Edo castle, which also had the alternate name of Chiyoda castle. Chiyoda is now the name of the district which encompasses the imperial palace. The ship was designed and launched as a seaplane tender, but it was converted to an aircraft carrier after the Battle of Midway. The words on the front of the card are "Warship Chiyoda Launch Commemoration" "Showa 12th Year November 19th" and "Kure Naval Arsenal".

The card itself is used - the postmark is the day after the launch ceremony. I'm not particularly adept at reading Japanese handwriting, but the card was sent to Mr. Fukui Yoshiichi, who lived in Busan in Korea. The message itself is about how the launch of the Chiyoda further strengthens the power of the country, etc.

Condition: Near mint, other than it being used

Size: 5.5" x 3.5"