Triptych: Off Kaiyōjima the Japanese Destroyer was Victorious (Kaiyōjima oki nikkan taishō) Possibly 1894

Curator: This woodblock triptych, held at the Harvard Art Museums, is titled "Off Kaiyōjima the Japanese Destroyer was Victorious," created by Nakamura Shûkô. The composition is incredibly dynamic! Editor: My first thought: those waves! They seem to swallow everything, both triumph and tragedy, rendering any victory bittersweet. Curator: The artist really captured that paradox. Given its martial subject, it's tempting to read it solely as a celebration of imperial might, but I don't think that is it. Editor: Exactly. The churning sea, the explosions...these aren't just symbols of power. They’re visualizations of violence, chaos, and the very real human cost of conflict. The waves almost feel like a burial shroud. Curator: The perspective and use of color enhance that feeling too. There is a clear emphasis on the human scale, with the figures at the bottom. Editor: It’s a reminder that even in moments of perceived victory, there are always individuals caught in the undertow, their stories often untold. Curator: A potent reminder of the many layers any artwork can hold. Editor: Indeed, art allows us to consider both the grand narrative and the quiet, human stories within.