Vice Admiral Ito Mocks, Points and Looks at the Enemy Bullets 1884 - 1904

Mizuno Toshikata created this woodblock print, Vice Admiral Ito Mocks, Points and Looks at the Enemy Bullets, now at the Met, during a time of rapid modernization and military expansion in Japan. Here, Toshikata captures a moment of bravado and defiance during a naval battle, likely the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-95. The image shows Vice Admiral Ito Sukeyuki, a key figure in the Imperial Japanese Navy, calmly observing enemy fire. This depiction aligns with the era's emphasis on masculine courage and national pride, deeply rooted in samurai traditions. Yet, it also reflects a complex negotiation of identity as Japan asserted itself on the global stage, adopting Western military attire and technologies while maintaining a distinct cultural identity. The print presents a stylized narrative that blends historical events with cultural ideals. It invites us to consider the personal and collective dimensions of war, and how they intertwine with national identity.