"Kaigun shoko to seishin no senryaku toron suru zu" Possibly 1894

Editor: This compelling woodblock print, "Kaigun shoko to seishin no senryaku toron suru zu," by Mizuno Toshikata, depicts naval officers in discussion. The patterned tablecloth juxtaposed with the serious subject matter strikes me. How do you interpret this work? Curator: I see a commentary on the industrialization of warfare. Note the contrast: the delicate floral patterns, likely made by women, supporting maps of strategic planning, a male-dominated domain. The printmaking process itself—laborious and collaborative—mirrors the complex social forces at play in military expansion. Editor: That’s a really fascinating take, I hadn’t thought about the means of production. Curator: Consider also the consumption of these images. Who was the intended audience, and how did this imagery shape public perception of military endeavors? Editor: Food for thought. It definitely adds another dimension to the work!