Grootse overwinning van het Japanse keizerrijk bij de heftige strijd bij Pyongyang 1894

This color woodblock print, 'Great Victory of the Japanese Empire in the Fierce Battle at Pyongyang', was created by Utagawa Kokunimasa. Though undated, it depicts the Japanese victory in Korea, 1894, during the First Sino-Japanese War. Here, Kokunimasa uses visual codes to generate a heroic image of Japanese forces overcoming their enemies. The crisp lines, bright colors and dynamic composition create a sense of action. But it's the cultural references that really speak to the print's institutional context. Woodblock prints at this time were a popular medium for disseminating propaganda and shaping public opinion. Kokunimasa's print reflects the rising tide of Japanese nationalism and militarism in the late 19th century. It served to promote the idea of Japan as a modern, powerful nation, capable of defeating its rivals on the battlefield. To fully understand this print, we might consult military records, political speeches, and journalistic accounts from the period. Only by examining the social and institutional context in which art is made can we appreciate its full meaning and significance.