This beautifully illustrated book reviews the extraordinary evolution of Japans military institutions at a period of enormous transformation. Conversely, as this book shows with many fine color plates, Japanese art deeply influenced emergent impressionist Western artists. The uniforms, equipment and ships are shown with much realism while keeping the tradition of great art. For the first time in art history as well as military history, this book documents what the prints show thanks to extremely rare early military regulations and related documents whose illustrations are also exquisite if totally unknown.