Attacking Pyongyang: The Japanese Army Forged through the Enemy Stronghold (Heijō Kōgeki waga gun tekiruio nuku) Possibly 1894

Editor: This woodblock print by Mizuno Toshikata, titled "Attacking Pyongyang," really jumps out! It depicts a chaotic battle scene. What are your thoughts on the public perception of this kind of imagery? Curator: Well, it's crucial to consider this print within the context of Meiji-era Japan. Military victories were heavily propagandized. Consider how the artist visually constructs a narrative of Japanese strength and valor, likely designed to galvanize public support for imperial expansion. Do you see any visual cues that might suggest a particular political agenda? Editor: I see the confident poses of the Japanese soldiers compared to the, perhaps, more desperate expressions of the opposing forces. It’s definitely a one-sided narrative. I hadn't thought about it that way. Curator: Exactly! Think about how art functions not just as aesthetic object but as a powerful tool for shaping collective identity and justifying political action. This print offers a fascinating window into the intersection of art, nationalism, and imperialism. Editor: That’s a great insight! It's a sobering reminder of the social forces behind art.