Picture of Severe Battle on the streets of Gyuso 1895

Ogata Gekko made this woodblock print, titled 'Picture of Severe Battle on the Streets of Gyuso,' at a time of significant military development in Japan. This print likely depicts a scene from the First Sino-Japanese War. The flag of the Rising Sun makes a powerful statement of national identity. The artist uses perspective to create a sense of depth and chaos, placing the viewer in the middle of the battle. Japan underwent rapid modernization during the Meiji era, which influenced both military capabilities and artistic expression. Woodblock prints became a popular medium for disseminating information and propaganda and often served as a means to celebrate military victories and promote national pride. To understand it fully, one might research the illustrated press, military history, and the institutional patronage that supported such art. The meaning of this artwork is deeply embedded in the social and institutional context of its time.