Soldiers Fighting Furiously at Fenghuangcheng (Hoojo ni shoshi funto no zu) 1894

Ogata Gekko created this print, "Soldiers Fighting Furiously at Fenghuangcheng," depicting a scene from the First Sino-Japanese War. Gekko’s work offers us insights into how Japan perceived itself and its adversaries during a period of intense national ambition. Here, gender and class intersect within the context of war. The soldiers, presumably male and of varying social classes, are valorized for their military service, reinforcing patriarchal ideals of masculinity and duty. The artist’s choice to depict this battle serves to glorify Japan’s military prowess. Consider the emotional weight of this scene. The chaotic energy of the battle is palpable, yet it is rendered with an aesthetic sensibility that softens the harsh realities of war. In his work, Gekko skillfully blends traditional artistic techniques with a contemporary subject. This print invites us to reflect on the complex ways in which national identity, gender roles, and historical narratives are constructed and represented.