The Fall of Fenghuangcheng: Putting the Enemy to Rout (Hōōjō kanraku tekihei kaisō zu) Possibly 1894

Curator: This compelling print by Mizuno Toshikata, a vertical oban titled "The Fall of Fenghuangcheng: Putting the Enemy to Rout," immediately conveys a sense of dynamic movement and tension. Editor: Indeed. The composition is striking, a surge of pale color—perhaps smoke or water—bisecting the scene and drawing the eye from the advancing soldiers. Curator: Toshikata created this print in an era of intense socio-political change. It serves as a visual document of the First Sino-Japanese War, revealing the militaristic zeal that swept through Japan at the time. Editor: The stark lines of the soldiers' uniforms and weaponry against the swirling ground create a powerful sense of order imposed upon chaos. Note the attention to detail in the rendering of the cannon. Curator: This print offers an important perspective on how war was visualized and consumed by the public, and how this contributed to a growing sense of national identity and power. Editor: A dramatic work. Its formal qualities underscore its propagandistic intent, leaving a lasting visual impact.