Details
History of Naval Battles in Meiji 37/38
[1904/1905], edited by Naval Headquarteres, Tokyo: Suikosha/Shunyodo, 1909, volume 2 (only), 4to, PRESENTATION copy, inscribed To Captain Dundas of Dundas. From Admiral Count H. Togo, folding lithographed maps, some coloured, half-tone plates, annotations in pencil, contemporary blue cloth gilt
This unique book was given to Rear Admiral Dundas R.N., as a 'thank you' gift by Admiral Togo of the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1908 when Admiral Togo paid a state visit to the U.K.
For this visit Dundas was appointed by the Admiralty to be Togo's constant companion and personal aid. Dundas made all the necessary arrangements for Togo to visit all his old haunts when he was sent to the U.K. in the 1880's as a junior officer for study at Greenwich and the training ship Worcester before continuing his career in the Imperial Japanese Navy.
Togo stayed at the home of Rear Admiral Dundas in Scotland during part of his visit and it was here that Togo presented him with this book that tells the story of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. This book is a special copy prepared for Togo and is the only one in the world.
Dundas was a regular serving officer in the Royal Navy who had held senior appointments in the Far East where he first met Admiral Togo.
By 1905 Admiral Togo was a national hero to the Japanese nation, he was the only man who could have lost the war with Russia by making a wrong decision as Japans success depended upon the skillful use of her relatively small navy to ensure the command of the sea round Japan and the Russian fortress of Port Arthur that housed the powerful main Russian fleet. If this vital command was lost then Russia would be able to pour large armies into Korea so threatening the very Japanese homeland. This threat was so serious that Japan actually called up her last army reserves for home defense when the Japanese fleet suffered several severe losses caused by Russian mines in early 1904. Only Togo's cool judgement saved the situation. His continued careful handling of the Japanese Navy in the 18 month long war eventually ensured Japans victory.
Admiral Togo was held in so much esteem in Japan that when his former flagship Mikasa, now replaced by newer battleships of the powerful Dreadnought type, was seriously damaged by a magazine explosion whilst in dock, Mikasa was restored to her former glory and kept on the Navy List. Later itn the 1930's, Mikasa was placed in dry dock and kept as a memorial. During World War Two she was destroyed during a bombing raid but then 'rebuilt' in the 1950's out of respect for Admiral Togo.
Togo was made a Viscount soon after the Russo-Japanese War, he lived on into the 1930's.
[1904/1905], edited by Naval Headquarteres, Tokyo: Suikosha/Shunyodo, 1909, volume 2 (only), 4to, PRESENTATION copy, inscribed To Captain Dundas of Dundas. From Admiral Count H. Togo, folding lithographed maps, some coloured, half-tone plates, annotations in pencil, contemporary blue cloth gilt
This unique book was given to Rear Admiral Dundas R.N., as a 'thank you' gift by Admiral Togo of the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1908 when Admiral Togo paid a state visit to the U.K.
For this visit Dundas was appointed by the Admiralty to be Togo's constant companion and personal aid. Dundas made all the necessary arrangements for Togo to visit all his old haunts when he was sent to the U.K. in the 1880's as a junior officer for study at Greenwich and the training ship Worcester before continuing his career in the Imperial Japanese Navy.
Togo stayed at the home of Rear Admiral Dundas in Scotland during part of his visit and it was here that Togo presented him with this book that tells the story of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. This book is a special copy prepared for Togo and is the only one in the world.
Dundas was a regular serving officer in the Royal Navy who had held senior appointments in the Far East where he first met Admiral Togo.
By 1905 Admiral Togo was a national hero to the Japanese nation, he was the only man who could have lost the war with Russia by making a wrong decision as Japans success depended upon the skillful use of her relatively small navy to ensure the command of the sea round Japan and the Russian fortress of Port Arthur that housed the powerful main Russian fleet. If this vital command was lost then Russia would be able to pour large armies into Korea so threatening the very Japanese homeland. This threat was so serious that Japan actually called up her last army reserves for home defense when the Japanese fleet suffered several severe losses caused by Russian mines in early 1904. Only Togo's cool judgement saved the situation. His continued careful handling of the Japanese Navy in the 18 month long war eventually ensured Japans victory.
Admiral Togo was held in so much esteem in Japan that when his former flagship Mikasa, now replaced by newer battleships of the powerful Dreadnought type, was seriously damaged by a magazine explosion whilst in dock, Mikasa was restored to her former glory and kept on the Navy List. Later itn the 1930's, Mikasa was placed in dry dock and kept as a memorial. During World War Two she was destroyed during a bombing raid but then 'rebuilt' in the 1950's out of respect for Admiral Togo.
Togo was made a Viscount soon after the Russo-Japanese War, he lived on into the 1930's.