This interactive exhibit tells the story of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor which precipitated America’s entry into WWII. The story is presented in a fresh and timely way using vintage maps, documents, ephemera and artifacts from Japan and America. The primary materials date from the 1930s and 1940s.

Commemorative merchandise to be sold.

Curated by The Story of Hawaii Museum Exhibit & Gallery, Bryant Neal , Chief Curator.

UPCOMING EXPERIENCES

85TH MEMORIAL OBSERVANCE OF THE BOMBING OF
PEARL HARBOR EXHIBIT

I BOMBED PEARL HARBOR EXHIBIT

Dec. 7, 2026, is the 85th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor which precipitated America's entry into WWII and one of the most costly, hard fought, volatile and protracted military engagements of the 20th century.

Perhaps no story has been told more often, more fervently, and because the United States won the war, it has almost always been told exclusively from the American point of view.

But now, with the passing of time and the cooling of emotions, it is possible to discern that there is another side to that story, a side that is mostly unknown and untold either to Americans or to Japanese living today.

It's a story of a long-standing bi-polar relationship between the two countries which dates back to July 8, 1853, when American Commodore Matthew Perry led his four ships into the harbor at Tokyo Bay, seeking to re-establish for the first time in over 200 years regular trade and discourse between Japan and the Western world.

It's a story that swings back and forth between two nations as they grow and change and emerge as world powers.

In the mid 19th century, both countries were bit players on the global stage, but as time progressed these two strong willed and ambitious nations cast each other in a variety of roles that see-sawed from trusted ally to hated adversary and back again to ally in the 21st century scheme of things.

But most importantly it is a story that both countries have taken some pains not only to ignore but also to suppress.

The occasion of the 85th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor is the ideal opportunity to take a fresh and wider ranging view of events leading up to World War II and the role played by each nation in an exhibition that can be understood and appreciated not only by the generation that survived the war but its children, grand-children and great-grandchildren alive today.

Aerial combat photography - Curated sets of attack images

The Japanese government provided a detailed account of its victory over the US at Pearl Harbor, the British in Malaya and Hong Kong. Packaged sets of war images were made from photographs taken by Japanese pilots to document the damage.

As part of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese naval aviators in planes equipped with high powered cameras, took hundreds of
pictures capturing the actual bombing sequence.

These images were used as powerful propaganda tools in Japanese media to inform citizens about the Pearl Harbor attack, showcase the military's success, bolster national pride and rally support for the war effort.

Of the hundreds of photos taken, approximately 8 key images passed censorship and were approved for public viewing.

The chosen images were packaged and circulated in Japanese media through Newspapers, post cards, stamps, special edition sets, staged news reels and propaganda films.

If you were a Japanese citizen in 1941, these were the images used by government officials to inform you about the bombing of
Pearl Harbor.

The main theme of the exhibit is showcasing examples of how these images were used in each of the forementioned categories.

WORLD WAR II AERIAL COMBAT PHOTOS - COVER PAGE

1. Top line (on the top of a large box)
The United States of America

2. Second and third line in the larger box:
Historic Photographic Record of Complete destruction of entire American Pacific Fleet

3. Fourth line (on the right – vertical)
As presented by the Navy

4. 5th line: (on the left – vertical)
8 photos as a set for 30 cents

5. Fifth box: (smaller center box over the large box)
Fantastic Naval Battle of Hawaii

6. Sixth box: (larger box under the 5 the boxes)
The world shaking, never before heard of, surprise attack
“Pearl Harbor’’. Photos taken from the plane by our courageous flyers! The full pictures of the Naval station, Pearl Harbor, and the scenes of black smoke covered column of American Pacific Fleet by the attack of our Navy. This set of photos is an important record in the history of the Pan-Pacific War, to be treated as a National Treasure.

7. Under the box 6:
(Credits) Tokyo NichiNichi Shimbun-sha / Osaka Mainichi Shimbun-sha

8. Bottom lines (Outside the decorative frame)
(Postal credits) Post office approved code numbers for the above two Newspaper companies.

WORLD WAR II AERIAL COMBAT ATTACK PHOTOS AND TRANSLATIONS

1. About to be destroyed entire American Pacific Fleet. All their major battleships are lined up in the front view. The shining white shadow in the ocean is one of our onrushing torpedo boats. Some of the enemy warships were seen as being hit already and are on the careen. Seen also the white smoke cloud is rising from the Hickam Air Base.
Tokyo Nichinichi Shimbun/f Mainichi Shimbun

2. Perspective view of the enemy’s major fleet and its battleships. The tall cloud of spray is rising from the Battleship Oklahoma, hit by torpedo. 4 ships in front on left are their cruisers. Two of our Navy aircrafts are in the view.
Tokyo Nichinichi Shimbun/Mainichi Shimbun

3. The scene of the end of American fleet. The top of this photo is the already hit and sank the Battleship Oklahoma by our torpedo and the second Oklahoma-type of warship was hit also. The third ship, the battleship California-type of ship was hit on the starboard and badly damaged. The bottom left of the picture, a Maryland-type of battleship was hit and badly damaged.
Tokyo Nichinichi Shimbun/ Mainichi Shimbun

4. The Wheeler Army Airbase under attack. Seen neatly lined up fuel tanks on the right and the airbase’ runways. The black smoke cloud is covering the harbor.
Tokyo Nichinichi Shimbun/ Mainichi Shimbun.

5. Our bombers are flying over the Pearl Harbor. The entire enemy fleet in the harbor is covered by the black smoke.
See the Hickam Army Airbase on the lower half of thephto.
Tokyo Nichinichi Shimbun/Mainichi Shimbun.

6. Perspective view of Pearl Harbor. The white spays are from the Battleship Oklahoma.
Tokyo Nichinichi Shimbun/Mainichi Shimbun.

7. By the fierce attack of our Navy Air Force, the Wheeler Airbase in Hawaii was covered by a dense black cloud. All their hangers are already smoke filled and their proud aircrafts are about to be destroyed in flames.
Tokyo Nichinichi Shimbun/Mainichi Shimbun.

8. Officers and sailors are waiving goodbyes as they are sending off the consort planes in the early dawn of the day of the attack on the deck of XX air-carrier.
Tokyo Nichinichi Shimbun/Mainichi Shimbun.

The Tokyo Nichi Nichi Shimbun (東京日日新聞, Tōkyō Nichi Nichi Shinbun) (lit. Tokyo Daily News) was a newspaper printed in Tokyo, Japan from 1872 to 1943. In 1875, the company began the world’s first newspaper delivery service. In 1911, the paper merged with Osaka Mainichi Shimbun (大阪毎日新聞, lit.
“Osaka Daily News”) to form the Mainichi Shimbun (毎日新聞, lit. “Daily News”) company. The two newspapers continued to print independently until 1943, when both editions were placed under a
Mainichi Shimbun masthead.

WORLD WAR II AERIAL COMBAT ATTACK PHOTOS AND TRANSLATIONS

The Greater East Asia War
The Shining Results of Warfare
Actual Photographs – Eight pages one set
Hawaii Sea Battle
Malaya Sea Battle
Occupation of Hong Kong

Maps

Japan used maps in media reports and official displays to graphically illustrate the success and strategic significance of the Pearl Harbor attack. These maps served as powerful propaganda tools to rally public support for the war effort.

1931 Manchurian Incident Map

This important chart titled “Night of September 18, Battle Summary Near North Garrison’ was published by the Kwangtung Army HQ and printed by the South Manchurian Printing Co. The map measures 15 ¼ x 21 ½.

The Mukden Incident, or Manchurian Incident, was a staged event engineered by rogue Japanese military personnel as a pretext for the Japanese invasion in 1931 of northeastern China, known as Manchuria. This incident was similar in impact to China as the bombing
of Pearl Harbor was to the USA.

On September 18, 1931, Lt. Suemori Kawamoto detonated a small quantity of dynamite close to a railway line owned by Japan’s South Manchuria Railway near Mukden (now Shenyang). The explosion was so weak that it failed to destroy the track and a train passed over it minutes later, but the Imperial Japanese Army accused Chinese dissidents of the act and responded with a full invasion that led to the occupation of Manchuria, in which Japan established its puppet state of Manchukuo six months later.

Map translations:
North Garrison located right below the title. Scale 1:10,000

Japanese Soldiers approximately 600; Chinese soldiers approximately 8,000 – 10,000 near the North Garrison.

Top left description:

Red ink – Japanese soldiers’ position and movement

Blue ink – Chinese soldiers’ position and movement

Red Cross at mid bottom is the exact location of railway explosion done by the Chinese

BOTTOM RIGHT: inset of Mukden City,

1934 Map of East Asia Pacific

1937 Illustration of the Recent State of Affairs

1937 World Situation and National Defense

1937 World Situation and National Defense Map on a scroll.

Issued on January 1, 1937, showing the power projection of the Imperial Japanese Navy including Carrier Akagi near Hawaii.

During the 1930s, the Japanese Navy began construction of airfields, fortifications, ports, and other military projects in the islands controlled under the South Pacific mandate, viewing the islands as “unsinkable aircraft carriers” with a critical role to play in the defense of the Japanese home islands against potential American invasion.

These became important staging grounds for Japanese air and naval offensives in the Pacific War.

Kwajalein was a major base supporting the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Battle of Wake Island
Palau supported the Battle of the Philippines
Saipan supported the Battle of Guam
Truk became the base for amphibious landings on Tarawa and Makin in the Gilberts, as well as Rabaul, in the Australian mandate Territory of New Guinea
Majuro was used in air strikes against Howland Island
Jaluit Atoll was the base from which the Japanese Navy seized Nauru and Ocean Island

In addition to the islands’ naval importance, the Japanese Army utilized the islands to support air and land detachments. The “island-hopping” strategy employed by the United States military caused the Japanese Empire to lose control of its Pacific possessions between 1943 and 1945.

By 1937, Japan had annexed territory north of Beijing and following the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, a full-scale invasion of China began.

Japan’s intention to acquire resource-producing colonies in the Pacific and Southeast Asia would likely lead to confrontation with the United States, thus the U.S. became Japan’s primary potential enemy.

1941 Tripartite map

THE MOST RECENT DETAILED MAP OF THE WORLD

This map acknowledges the Tripartite alliance between Japan, Italy and Germany.
The flag of Japan is shown with Germany and Italy on both sides.

Printed: Showa-16 (1941) June 15
Published: Showa-16 (1941) June 20
153th edition

Illustrator: Junichi Kizaki

Publisher: Hideharu Ibayashi
58 Kami-Kurumazaka-cho, Shitaya-ku, Tokyo

Printer: SHUBI-DO Printing Co., Ltd.
1-6 chome, Tamura-cho, Shiba-ku, Tokyo
Tel (43) 2276/ 0237

MAIN AREA OF EUROPE
Publisher: Ibayashi Book Store
58 Shitayaku, Kami Kurumazaka-cho, TokyoTrans
fer Account No. 666658
Tel: (87) 3725

Inset
MAIN AREA OF EUROPE

Inset
ANTARCTIC
Land mass
Designated area

ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION ROUTES
Nob Shirase (Japanese)
Rods (?)Amun
dsen (Roald Amndsen: Norwegian)
Scott (Capt. Robert Scott: UK)
Shackleton (Sir Earnest Shackleton: UK)

1942 Community Map - House of Glory

Japan's wartime "government meeting maps" were large-scale, (approx. 31" x 41") authoritative visual aids used by officials to communicate the strategic and economic goals of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere to the public. These maps were specifically designed for display at mandatory community gatherings and government briefings (tonarigumi or neighborhood association meetings). They were intended to be visible to large crowds in public halls or community centers to justify the war effort by emphasizing regional resource wealth.

Additionally, government representatives used these maps to:

Demonstrate Self-Sufficiency: Compare the resource-rich "New Order in East Asia" against the "materialistic" Western colonial powers to show that Japan could survive and thrive without Western trade.

Highlight Military Success: Point to specific newly "liberated" territories (like the Philippines or Dutch East Indies) to show the tangible benefits of military victories.

1937 World Situation and National Defense Map on a scroll.

I1942 MAP OF THE ASSEMBLED GREATER EAST ASIA CO-PROSPERITY SPHERE for Meeting Use

The map was printed June 20, SHOWA 17 (1942) and released on June 25th of the same year. This map was originally for government use only and was not for sale to the public.

During WWII, mandatory community meetings across Japan were requested by the Government to educate the public about the benefits of the Greater East Aisia Co-Prosperity Sphere, consequently large wall maps were printed for this purpose but few survived in decent condition due to their frequency of use, exposure to the elements or destroyed as evidence.

This rare map’s purpose was strictly for government use, and no copies were made available for sale to the public. This is a prime example of the implementation of the Greater East Aisia Co-prosperity Sphere as an instrument of propaganda. At these meetings people were shown all of the members who made up the sphere and the resources they provided for the ultimate benefit of Japan. The map measures approximately 31 x 41 and has been expertly linen backed.

The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere (大東亞共榮圏 Dai-tō-a Kyōeiken) was an imperial propaganda concept created and promulgated for occupied Asian populations during the first third of the Shōwa era by the government and military of the Empire of Japan. It extended greater than East Asia and promoted the cultural and economic unity of Northeast Asians, Southeast Asians, and Oceanians. It also declared the intention to create a self-sufficient "bloc of Asian nations led by the Japanese and free of Western powers". It was announced in a radio address entitled "The International Situation and Japan's Position" by Foreign Minister Hachirō Arita on June 29, 1940.

The information in the insets has been expertly translated as follows:

(at lower left) Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere –Comparison of the Populations (figures from right to left)

1) Japan -105,226,000 people (as of 1939)

2) Manchukuo – 36,672,705 people (as of 1937)

3) China (including Taiwan) – 427,507,000 people ( as of 1936)

4) Thailand – 14,464,500 people (as of 1937)

5) French Indo-China – 23,030,300 people (as of 1937)

6) Burma – 14,667,100 people (as of 1931)

7) East Indian Archipelago – 60,954,890 people (as of 1934)

8) Philippines – 15,984,000 people (as of 1938)

9) Australia – 6,807,000 people (as of 1936)

10) India – 358,550,000 people (as of 1936)

11) Malay – 4,895,496 people (no date given)

(at lower right) Illustration of Important Resources

KEY: Name of Product

Percentage of Total Amount (does not state % worldwide or % in co-prosperity sphere)

Name of Country

Each Country’s Separate Amount

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT

12. RICE 90% (In thousands of kilograms)
Japan 15,627China
(including Taiwan) 48,040
India 42,288
Dutch East Indies 5,676
French Indo-China 5,290
Thailand 4,716

11. IRON 4% (In thousands of kilograms)

China (including Taiwan) 323
Manchukuo 647
Australia 970
India 1,576

10. WOOL 31% (In kilograms)
Australia 458,100
China (including Taiwan)
India 4,500

9. TUNGSTEN 80% (In kilograms)Aus
tralia 4,188
China (including Taiwan) 6,305
Malay 791

8. FLAX/HEMP 48% (In kilograms)
Philippines 178,500
Dutch East Indies 80,000

7. REFINED SUGAR 45% (In thousands of kilograms)
India 3,600
Philippines 1,000
Japan 1,560
Dutch East Indies 1,550

6. WHEAT 20% (In thousands of kilograms)
India 10,967
Australia 4,109
China (including Taiwan) 17,321

5. RAW COTTON 20% (In thousands of kilograms)
India 1,048
China (including Taiwan) 635

4. RUBBER 90% (In thousands of kilograms)
Malay 424
Borneo(?) (information is smudged)
Dutch East Indies 288

3. COPPER 66% (In kilograms)
Dutch East Indies 39,800
Thailand 16,200
Malay 79,300

2. CRUDE OIL 3% (In thousands of kilograms)
Dutch East Indies 7,262
Burma 1,103
Borneo 789

1. COAL 8% (In thousands of kilograms)
India 25,624
China (including Taiwan) 15,000
Manchukuo 12,000
Australia 11,500

1943 Panorama of Japan Resources

1942 PANORAMA MAP OF SOUTHERN RESOURCES

By Mr., HASHIMOTO in Tokyo a private publisher distributed by the Union Press Photo Bureau.

Printed August 13, published August 18, 1942 (Showa 17)

Inset box in the upper right corner.

Top Line left to right: Coconut oil, cotton, rice, sugar, tea

Second row; chrome, tungsten, iron, magnesium, bauxite

Third row: industrial salt, nickel, oil, zinc, lead

Bottom line left to right; Sulfar, phosphate, coal, silver, gold

Map measures 30 x 42

This map shows the areas and the resources needed by Japan for basic survival and where they were located. The Dutch East Indes would be essential for much needed oil, while French Indo China would serve as a very important source as well. The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere would be the method used to acquire these resources from neighboring countries.

1943 Japan Hawaii Map

1943 - Standard Greater East Asia Partial Map. Hawaiian Archipelago.

This detailed map of Hawaii was originally published April 1, 1943, republished June 20, 1943. The insets show the Hawaiian archipelago and environs (Sandwich Archipelago), the eight major islands in the chain and a close up of Pearl Harbor and Honolulu environs. This is one of the last large-scale maps of Hawaii ever to be printed by the Japanese Empire.

The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere (大東亞共榮圏 Dai-tō-a Kyōeiken) was an imperial propaganda concept created and promulgated for occupied Asian populations during the first third of the Shōwa era by the government and military of the Empire of Japan. It extended greater than East Asia and promoted the cultural and economic unity of Northeast Asians, Southeast Asians, and Oceanians. It also declared the intention to create a self-sufficient "bloc of Asian nations led by the Japanese and free of Western powers". It was announced in a radio address entitled "The International Situation and Japan's Position" by Foreign Minister Hachirō Arita on June 29, 1940.

As planned, The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity sphere would include Hawaii, Howland Island, Baker Island the , Phoenix Islands, Rain Islands, Marquesas, Tuamotu Islands, Society Islands, Cook Islands , Austral Islands, all of the Samoan Islands, and Tonga.

The possibility of re-establishing the defunct Kingdom of Hawaii was also considered, based on the model of Manchukuo. Those favoring annexation of Hawaii (on the model of Karafuto) intended to use the local Japanese community, which had constituted 43% (c. 160,000) of Hawaii's population in the 1920s, as a leverage. Hawaii was to become self-sufficient in food production, while the Big Five corporations of sugar and pineapple processing were to be broken up. No decision was ever reached regarding whether Hawaii would be annexed to Japan, become a puppet kingdom, or be used as a bargaining chip for leverage against the U.S.

1942 Hammond War Map

1942 Hammond War Map – Drawn and published in response to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, this is one of the most detailed USA maps of the Pacific ever produced. McArthur’s “Hit em where they’re not” and “Island Hopping” campaigns could not be carried out until we knew where every island, atoll and knoll was located. The chart serves as a Pacific Theater “situation” map showing flight routes, distances and possessions as they existed at the beginning of the war.

This Pacific centric map demystifies the otherwise mysterious ocean. The Pacific is generally shown incomplete as an extension of the West Coast of North America, Oceanica, North and SE Asia, the Aleutians and the South Pacific. This complete map showing the whole Pacific and surrounding continents and island groupings is a valuable tool in understanding the strategic movement of troops and Pacific war strategies. Six smaller maps appear on the back side. The Navy has recently declassified and released the Nimitz Gray Book which documents the incidents of the Pacific Theater from Dec. 7, 1941 through the end of the war in 1945. This detailed map can be used to trace all of the military movement and battles of the Pacific Theater with great detail. View Gray Book at http://www.ibiblio.org/anrs/graybook.html

The original map measures 20 ½ x 27

World War II Maps of the Pacific

The bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, and the entry of the United States into the war made Hawai‘i an important strategic outpost in the Pacific. Maps from this period show the Islands in relation to the movement of ships, planes and troops. While these are not as rare or expensive as some of the early maps of Hawai‘i, they are eagerly sought by collectors of World War II memorabilia.

The Hammond War Map - 1942

Published in early 1942, this is one of the most detailed maps ever created of the Pacific Ocean. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, it was necessary to draw a detailed map that identified all of the small islands and atolls in the Pacific. Additionally, the map provides a rare Pacific Centric view of the complete Pacific Ocean. McArthur’s “Hit ‘em where they’re not” and “Island Hopping” campaigns could not be carried out until we knew where every island, atoll and knoll was located. The chart serves as a Pacific Theater “situation” map showing flight routes, distances and possessions as they existed at the beginning of the war. The Pacific is generally shown incomplete as an extension of the West Coast of North America, Oceanica, North and SE Asia, the Aleutians and the South Pacific. This complete map showing the whole Pacific and surrounding continents and island groupings is a valuable tool in understanding the strategic movement of troops and Pacific war strategies.

This Pacific centric map demystifies the otherwise mysterious ocean. Geographically, Hawaii is shown approximately
21 degrees north of the equator, on the same longitude as Mexico City and Hong Kong, 3900 miles from Japan and 2100 miles from our closest neighbor San Francisco.

As a war map, distances and strategic battle scenes are properly noted including Dutch Harbor where the first Zero was captured in-tact, Midway, turning point of the war, as well as Guadalcanal. Possessions are depicted as they existed at the start of the war. Note the size of the Japanese Empire before the end of the war.

The US Navy has recently declassified and released the Nimitz Gray Book which documents the incidents of the Pacific Theater from Dec. 7, 1941, through the end of the war in 1945. This detailed map can be used to trace all of the military movement and battles of the Pacific Theater with great detail. View Gray Book at http://www.ibiblio.org/anrs/graybook.html