Scarce manuscript DS in Japanese, boldly signed at the top of the first page by Hirohito as emperor, two pages on two adjoining sheets, 9.5 x 12.5 (measures 18.5 x 12.5 open), March 29, 1935. Document in which the emperor of Japan appoints Yoshiatsu Hori as the Japanese Minister Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Honduras. The thirteen lines of handwritten content is translated, in part: “By the grace of heaven, emperor of Japan…To his Excellency the President of the Republic of Honduras, our great and illustrious friend...animated by the desire to strengthen and deepen increasingly the bonds of friendship and good understanding that so happily exist between our two countries have decided to appoint Yoshiatsu Hori, Joshii...second class of our Imperial Order of the Rising Sun… Minister Plenipotentiary…of the Republic of Honduras…we have signed...and have applied the seal of the empire in our Imperial Palace and Tokyo, the fourth day of the third month of the tenth year of the Showa, corresponding to the year two thousand five hundred ninety-five the accession to the throne of Emperor Jimmu.” In fine condition, with evidence of prior binding at middle hinge and trivial slivers of foxing along extreme vertical edges. Accompanied by two official translations of the original time period: one Spanish version produced at the National Palace in Tegucigalpa, and one French version (the international language of diplomacy).
Honduras was initially neutral in World War II, but joined the Allied side after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Central American republic declared war on Japan on December 8, 1941, and on Germany and Italy five days later; while they contributed food and materials to the Allied effort, they did not send troops. Despite their differing views during WWII, this year marks the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Honduras. As the very document that seems to have solidified their union, this is an exceedingly desirable piece from the tenth year of Hirohito’s legendary 63-year reign. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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