This is a 1905 postcard of the Japanese pre-dreadnought battleship Shikishima.

Japanese_battleship_Shikishima_2

Today in 1904 she participated in the Battle of Port Arthur. She was used as part of a squadron of ships assigned to take part in Admiral Togo's surprise attack on Russian ships, the attack was in fact expected and driven off, with relatively light losses on both sides except for the Shikishima, which suffered nine hits and many killed. Nevertheless, the engagement is considered by many to mark the beginning of the 1904-1905 Russo-Japanese war

The original image can be seen here.