Kamikaze (from an unidentified series)

This high-spirited set of vintage New Year's cards celebrates the historic flight of the Kamikaze, a Mitsubishi Ki-15 aircraft that became the first Japanese-built plane to fly from Japan to Europe. Sponsored by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper and piloted by Masaaki Iinuma (who came to be known as "the Japanese Lindbergh"), the Kamikaze made its momentous 51-hour flight from Tokyo to London in April 1937. The New Year's cards were printed later that year by Tanaka & Co. (the artist is unknown).

Kamikaze between Tokyo and London (from the "Japan in Progress" series)

Kamikaze and pilot (from an unidentified series)

Kamikaze (from an unidentified series)

Kamikaze and pilot (from an unidentified series)

Kamikaze over Mt Fuji (from the "Japan in Progress" series)

Boy on bicycle waves to Kamikaze (from an unidentified series)

Kamikaze (from the "Japan in Progress" series)

Boys on the prairie wave to Kamikaze (from an unidentified series)

Kamikaze over Mt Fuji (from the "Japan in Progress" series)

[Link: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston]