Yamamoto Collection

Imperial Naval Academy Cadet, Summer Uniform, 1901

In 1901, at 17 years old, Takano Isoruku, the son of a school teacher from an impoverished samurai family, entered the Academy to take naval officer courses after passing the candidate exam with the second best result among other candidates from all over the country. That was the only way for an ambitious young man to leave the country, poverty, and a lack of prospects behind.

At the Academy on Etajima Island in Hiroshima Bay, a strong Spartan spirit prevailed. Rigorous discipline was best for achieving the leadership potential of the future admiral. His small height didn't prevent him from great achievements in sports and the kendo martial art. His willingness to learn helped Takano Isoruku become one of the Academy's best graduates in November 1904.

Kaigun Shōi Kōhosei (Midshipman), 1905

Takano Isoruku graduated from the Naval Academy in Etajima in November 1904, in the midst of the Russo-Japanese War. Before getting his first assignment as an officer, he needed to serve on a warship for some time. The future naval commander was commissioned on the armored cruiser Nisshin, which was included in the main task force of Admiral Togo.

Speaking later about his combat debut during the Battle of Tsushima, Yamamoto said: "A shell hit the only operating 8-inch cannon with terrible force. The smoke cloud cast a pall over the front of the ship, and I felt that I was trapped within the whirlwind. I was thrown for several steps. The range tables disappeared from my neck, and two fingers on my left hand hung loosely by just the skin." The future Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese Navy was lucky: if he had lost three fingers instead of two, he would have been dismissed.

Kaigun-Shōsa (Lieutenant Commander), 1916

In 1916, Lieutenant Commander Takano Isoruki, a promising young officer, was adopted by the Yamamoto clan and received the surname by which he would be come known all over the world. This practice is common in Japan. The rich and influential Yamamoto clan didn't have a male heir, and Takano had several elder Isoruku brothers and little chance of becoming head of the Takano family.

After successfully graduating from the Naval War College, Yamamoto Isoruku was assigned to Second Fleet headquarters in December 1916. Patrolling the waters near Southeast Asia and fighting against raiding German cruisers were the main goals of his division.

Japanese Imperial Navy Pilot, Flying Suit, 1925

Impressed by the success of aviation he saw during service in the United States between 1919 and 1921, Yamamoto Isoruku realized its potential in naval battles and tried to get assigned to an aircraft division. In September 1924 he was transferred to an air group in Kasumigaura, the first Japanese aviation school established in 1922 with assistance from the United Kingdom. Soon, Yamamoto was assigned as the Senior Officer of the school.

Professional pilots were hostile to the outsider. However, Yamamoto's passion for learning all the secrets of aviation and support of the same inclinations among his subordinates let him gain authority and respect. Some sources state that the future admiral also mastered the art of plane control and took a few flights. Ōnishi Takijirō, the Japanese naval aviation legend, was one of Yamamoto's brothers-in-arms.

Kaigun-Daisa (Captain), Dress Uniform, 1927

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Kaigun-Chūshō (Vice Admiral), Dress Uniform, 1939

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Kaigun-Taishō (Admiral), 1941

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Kaigun-Taishō (Full Admiral), White Uniform, 1943

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Cap Badge of the Imperial Navy Officer

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Imperial Japanese Navy Officer Epaulets

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Dress Cap of the Imperial Japanese Navy Admiral

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Shoulder Insignia of Kaigun-Taishō (Admiral)

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Saber of the Imperial Japanese Navy Officer

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Japanese Sea Binoculars, 7x50mm

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The Nambu Type A Modified Pistol

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Imperial Japanese Navy Officer's Sword, 1930

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Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum

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Order of the Golden Kite, 1st Class

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Order of the Sacred Treasure, 1st Class

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Red Cross Silver Medal of Merit

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1904-05 Russo-Japanese War Medal

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Victory Medal, World War I (Japan)

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Taishō Enthronement Commemorative Medal

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Shōwa Enthronement Commemorative Medal

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Armored Cruiser Nisshin

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Protected Cruiser Soya

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Light Cruiser Kitakami

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Aircraft Carrier Akagi

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Aircraft Carrier Kaga

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Battleship Nagato

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Battleship Yamato

Battleship Musashi

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Imperial Japanese Naval Academy Building on the Island of Etajima

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Fore End Turret of Cruiser Nisshin After the Battle of Tsushima

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Carrier Attack Aircraft Mitsubishi B1M

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Traditional Tools for Japanese Calligraphy

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Calligraphy Sketch by Yamamoto Isoruku

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Map of the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, in Japanese, 1941

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Bomber Mitsubishi G4M "Betty", No. 323

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Fighter Lockheed P-38G "Lightning" Miss Virginia, No. 147

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