Triptych: Russian Flagship Destroyed by Japanese Torpedo Meiji period,

Editor: This is "Triptych: Russian Flagship Destroyed by Japanese Torpedo" by Yasuda Hanpo, a striking woodblock print from the Harvard Art Museums. The way the scene unfolds across three panels is quite dramatic! What strikes you about how this work portrays naval warfare? Curator: This triptych reveals much about Japanese society's perception of the Russo-Japanese War. Notice how the artist glorifies the destruction of the Russian flagship. How do you think this imagery might have shaped public opinion and national identity at the time? Editor: It definitely seems like propaganda, almost romanticizing a violent event. Did this kind of imagery have lasting effects? Curator: Absolutely. It fostered a sense of national pride and reinforced the idea of Japan as a rising military power. The print also served as a potent reminder of the human cost of conflict. Editor: I see, it's more complex than just a simple battle scene. Thanks for pointing out those cultural and historical dimensions!