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

Curator: Mizuno Toshikata’s Triptych: "Kaigun shoko to seishin no senryaku toron suru zu" depicts a meeting of naval officers, possibly strategizing, on what appears to be the deck of a ship. Editor: My first thought is it has a strangely calm energy for a war-planning scene. It's like they're sharing a pot of tea rather than plotting maneuvers! Curator: The print provides a fascinating insight into Meiji-era military culture and the intersection of modernization and traditional Japanese aesthetics. The presence of western-style uniforms and naval vessels reflects Japan's rapid industrialization. Editor: Right, but there’s also a tension, isn’t there? These guys are caught between worlds. The light is gorgeous, though... almost dreamlike. Curator: Indeed, it’s a compelling visualization of a nation grappling with its identity amid geopolitical shifts. Editor: Seeing this image, I almost feel as if I could write a play on the tensions of that period. It’s really stuck with me.