Off Kaiyōjima the Japanese Destroyer was Victorious (Kaiyōjima oki nikkan taishō) Possibly 1894

Curator: What a dynamic scene! The churning waves immediately give a sense of dramatic action. Editor: Indeed. This woodblock print, held here at the Harvard Art Museums, is entitled "Off Kaiyōjima the Japanese Destroyer was Victorious," by Nakamura Shûkô. The perspective is striking, almost overwhelming. Curator: It's a propaganda piece, no doubt. The immense Japanese warship dwarfs the sinking vessel in the background. Editor: Absolutely, it evokes strong feelings of national pride and militaristic fervor. How do we reconcile appreciating the artistry with acknowledging its function in promoting a specific, potentially problematic, political agenda? Curator: That tension is precisely where art history meets critical engagement. It’s a potent reminder of the power of imagery. Editor: Agreed. Recognizing that complexity enriches our understanding of both the artwork and its historical context.