Sailor Tanaka Ichitarō, from the series Mirror of Army and Navy Heroes (Rikkai gunjin kōmyō kagami) 1895

Kobayashi Kiyochika created this woodblock print, "Sailor Tanaka Ichitarō," as part of the series "Mirror of Army and Navy Heroes" at the cusp of the 20th century. It captures Japan's burgeoning military ambitions and the glorification of its servicemen. The print depicts a scene of naval heroism where Tanaka is being bandaged. The way the sailors steady him, contrasts with the enormous weight above his head. Kiyochika masterfully conveys Tanaka's stoicism amidst the chaos of war. What's particularly striking is how Kiyochika subtly infuses Western techniques into this very traditional medium of Japanese woodblock printing. The shadows and perspective hint at the influence of European art. This work reveals much about the social and cultural shifts occurring in Japan at this time, as it embraced modernization and militarization, while still holding onto its cultural identity. Kiyochika’s print invites us to consider the human cost of nationalistic fervor and the emotional complexities of those who are caught in its wake.