Hello, this item is a large commemorative Japanese hanging scroll (kakemono) measuring approximately 2 feet by 7 feet, presented in a plexiglass display case. It depicts Emperor Jimmu, the mythological first emperor of Japan, and was likely created in 1940 to mark the 2,600th anniversary of the founding of Japan’s imperial line, a celebration widely promoted under State Shinto ideology before and during WWII. The vertical inscription confirms this date (皇紀二千六百年, or “2600th year of the imperial calendar”) and suggests the scroll was part of the state-sponsored effort to glorify Japan’s ancient lineage. The artist may be Kinoshita Itsuun (木下逸雲, 1884–1963), a noted calligrapher and painter, though signature and seal verification by a Japanese art specialist would be required for authentication.

Scrolls of this type—especially those depicting national figures like Emperor Jimmu—carry cultural, rather than aesthetic, value and often reflect the ideological climate of 1930s–40s Japan. While not rare, their scale and political-historical significance make them of interest to collectors of militaria, propaganda art, and Japanese imperial iconography. If indeed by Kinoshita Itsuun, and in good condition as displayed, the fair market value would range between $800 and $1,200 USD, depending on signature authentication and buyer interest.