Preliminary identification
Photo reference
3 uploaded photos
Overview
This is an extraordinary, hand-painted Japanese military postcard (Gunji Yubin) from World War II, featuring a delicate watercolor of cherry blossoms (sakura) on the front. The reverse features hand-brushed kanji, a military postal stamp, and a 3-sen green definitive stamp depicting the Hakone hot spring waterfall, sent from a soldier stationed with the Philippine Expeditionary Force.
Story
Sent from the battlefields of the Philippines, this postcard carries a soldier's longing for home through hand-painted cherry blossoms. The delicate petals stand in stark, heartbreaking contrast to the brutal reality of the Pacific War. It represents a final, beautiful connection between a soldier and his family before the end of the war.
Maker / Origin
The postcard was hand-painted and written by a soldier signing as 'Yasusui' (安水), serving in the 'Wind' (Kaze) 1531 Unit Headquarters, part of the Japanese Philippine Expeditionary Force. Rather than using mass-produced military stationery, this soldier used his own artistic skill to paint a traditional symbol of fleeting life and beauty for his recipient, Kanai Akira.
Condition & Value
The postcard shows expected wartime wear, including minor edge fraying, light foxing, and natural browning of the wartime paper stock. The painted surface remains remarkably vibrant with minimal pigment loss, which is excellent for its age and journey.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.