De heftige strijd bij de Ansung rivier, de heldhaftigheid van Kapitein Matsuzaki 1894

Mizuno Toshikata created this polychrome woodblock print, depicting “The fierce battle at the Ansung River and the heroism of Captain Matsuzaki.” Toshikata produced this print during a period when Japan was asserting itself as a military power. Here, Toshikata idealizes Japanese military prowess in the First Sino-Japanese War. The print depicts Captain Matsuzaki leading his troops, swords drawn, through a river, towards the enemy. The artist captures a specific moment of intense conflict, yet it also contributes to a broader narrative of Japanese military strength and national identity. The heroic portrayal of Captain Matsuzaki serves to inspire and reinforce a sense of national pride, yet it also propagates a romanticized version of warfare. Toshikata’s print invites us to reflect on how images shape our understanding of history, and how they can be used to construct and reinforce particular narratives about national identity and military action.