春日は、姉妹艦の日進と共に日露戦争の各戦役を戦いました。もともとはアルゼンチンがイタリアのアンサルド社に発注した艦でしたがキャンセルとなり、日露の関係悪化により完成間近だった本艦と日進を手に入れようと画策し合った結果、日本が破格の金額を入札したことで日本の購入が決まりました。黄海海戦、日本海海戦にも参加しており、特に日本海海戦では、旅順で戦没した八島と初瀬の戦力を補う為、第一戦隊に編入され戦いました。
作品は、明治38(1905)年5月27日の14時15分頃をイメージして描いたものです。歴史的大勝利のきっかけとして有名な「丁字ターン」の最中にあり、春日は先行艦に続きターンをしつつ、バルチック艦隊へ向けて発砲しようとしているところです。後方には姉妹艦の日進が続き、さらに後方には、上村彦之丞中将率いる第二艦隊第二戦隊が、ターンに続いています。
First-class Cruiser HIJMS Kasuga 1905
The Kasuga, along with her sister the Nisshin, fought in the battles of the Russo-Japanese war. Originally ordered by Argentina from the Ansaldo company of Italy, when the order was cancelled, due to the deterioration in relations between Japan and Russia, plans were made to acquire this ship and the Nisshin, a tremendous effort was made to raise the funds necessary, and the purchase was completed. They participated in the Battle of the Yellow sea and Tsushima. Particularly in the Battle of Tsushima, they took the place in the battle line of the Yashima and Hatsuse who were lost off Lushun, as part of the 1st fleet.
This drawing shows her on Meiji 38 (1905) May 27th at 14:15. She is performing the famous turn that caused the Japanese ships to “Cross the T” of the Russian fleet. She is training her guns to bear on the Russian fleet. The Nisshin is following immediately astern. Next is the 2nd squadron of the 2nd fleet under the command of vice admiral Kamimura Hikonojo, also coming into the turn.