The Fall of Jinzhou Fortress; Private First Class Onoguchi Tokuji 1895

Kobayashi Kiyochika created “The Fall of Jinzhou Fortress; Private First Class Onoguchi Tokuji” to document the First Sino-Japanese War. Kiyochika worked as a political cartoonist and used his art to contribute to the Meiji government’s war effort. This print captures a moment of intense conflict, illustrating the impact of modernization on warfare and the role of the individual soldier. We see the Japanese soldier in a modern uniform, posed heroically as the fortress explodes. It's a scene full of tension, the dark night sky illuminated by the violence of war. Kiyochika conveys not just the physical destruction but also the emotional weight of battle. This work reflects a pivotal moment in Japanese history, showcasing the country's emergence as a military power. Kiyochika's print serves as a reminder of the human stories embedded within larger political conflicts, marking a shift in how war was depicted and understood through art.