Triptych: Flight (Chinsen chihō no go-mei no Nihon-kōhei shin-hei hyaku-yo-nin o uchi shirizoku) Meiji period,

Editor: This is Mizuno Toshikata's "Triptych: Flight," a woodblock print. It depicts a scene of battle. I’m struck by the contrast between the chaos of combat and the almost serene landscape. What historical narratives do you see unfolding here? Curator: Indeed. This print likely romanticizes a specific military engagement. Japanese woodblock prints often served as propaganda, shaping public perception of conflicts. Notice how the Meiji soldiers are portrayed as disciplined and modern. Editor: So the artist might be using this image to legitimize the Meiji government and its military actions? Curator: Precisely. It’s a carefully constructed image designed to evoke patriotism and support for the state. The “flight” is presented as a strategic retreat, not a defeat. Do you think that changes your perspective on the piece? Editor: Definitely. Knowing the potential political agenda behind the artwork adds another layer of complexity to understanding its meaning and reception. Curator: Exactly, and the print is more than just a pretty picture. It's a historical document, reflecting the social and political climate of its time.