Attack at the Site of the Hundred-Foot Cliff Possibly 1895

Curator: This triptych, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums, is entitled "Attack at the Site of the Hundred-Foot Cliff" by Kobayashi Kiyochika, who lived from 1847 to 1915. Editor: The monochrome palette really strikes me; the harsh contrast between the dark uniforms and the stark snow creates a sense of tension. Curator: Kiyochika was known for his ukiyo-e prints that documented the modernization of Japan, including its military conflicts. This image likely depicts a scene from the First Sino-Japanese War. The prints themselves were a commodity during this period of great social change. Editor: Exactly. And the very act of woodblock printing, a meticulous, labor-intensive process, contrasts sharply with the instantaneous violence it depicts. Curator: The depiction of war through print served to disseminate specific narratives about Japanese strength. Editor: It also highlights how mass production meets individual artistry. The woodblocks themselves become tools of war, shaping public sentiment. Curator: It’s fascinating how Kiyochika uses a traditional medium to portray modern warfare. Editor: Indeed, this print illuminates the intricate connection between the tools we use to record history and history itself.