Album of the Japan-China War 2 1896

Hakubundo produced this album of the Japan-China War, during a period of intense nationalistic fervor in Japan. Though its contents are not visible, the album itself serves as a historical artifact. Consider the context in which it was created: the late 19th century, a time of imperial expansion and conflict. The album reflects how war was perceived and presented to the public, shaping cultural attitudes towards both the Japanese and Chinese identities. What stories do these images tell, and whose perspectives are privileged? How do the images portray the Japanese soldiers versus the Chinese people, and what does that reveal about the power dynamics at play? The album invites us to reflect on the ways in which war is documented, consumed, and remembered, and the impact that these representations have on shaping collective memory and national identity.