Battle at Jinzhoucheng on the Road to Port Arthur Possibly 1894

Curator: Kobayashi Kiyochika's print, "Battle at Jinzhoucheng on the Road to Port Arthur," captures a moment from the First Sino-Japanese War. The print is currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The steely resolve in the soldiers' eyes juxtaposed with the muted palette creates a potent sense of restrained tension. What do you make of the symbolic import of the sword, held aloft? Curator: It speaks to the Meiji government's emphasis on bushido, a revival of samurai ethos meant to legitimize and inspire their modern military expansion. Editor: A fascinating example of how historical narratives can be embedded within seemingly straightforward battle scenes. Curator: Absolutely, and how art can serve as a site for both propaganda and reflection on national identity. Editor: Indeed, seeing this work today invites us to unpack the intertwined layers of history, militarism, and artistic expression.