De heroîsche strijd en bezetting van Jiuliancheng 1894

Adachi Ginkō created this triptych woodblock print to document the First Sino-Japanese War. Published during a time of intense nationalism in Japan, it depicts the heroic capture of Jiuliancheng. Ginkō’s print offers a window into the cultural and political sentiments of Meiji-era Japan, reflecting a nation eager to assert its power on the world stage. The artist’s portrayal of Japanese soldiers as valiant and technologically advanced served to both inspire pride at home and signal Japan’s arrival as a modern military power to the rest of the world. Yet, we must also consider the impact of this narrative on those who were being colonized and marginalized, those whose stories were being overshadowed by the dominant historical narrative. This print goes beyond a mere depiction of war; it captures the complex interplay between identity, power, and representation during a pivotal moment in history. As you consider Ginkō’s print, think about the stories it tells, but also those it leaves untold.