Great Military Drill 1866

This is "Great Military Drill", a woodblock print made by Utagawa Sadahide sometime in the mid-19th century. Sadahide was working during the late Edo and early Meiji periods, a transformative time when Japan shifted from a feudal society to a more open, modern nation. Here we see a Japanese military parade, but what's striking is the prominent display of the American flag. This print reflects the complex cultural and political dynamics of Japan's engagement with the West. The presence of the US flag suggests a fascination with Western power and modernity, but also the looming specter of foreign influence and potential domination. Sadahide's choice to depict this scene invites us to consider how Japan was negotiating its identity on the world stage. What did modernization mean for Japanese culture and autonomy? And how did the Japanese people perceive these changes and their place in this new world order? It’s a potent reminder of the intricate dance between tradition and progress, and the human cost of these shifts.