Daybreak at Niitakayam 

Fujishima Takeji painted “Daybreak at Niitakayama” using oil on canvas. The painting depicts Mount Niitaka, now called Mount Yu, in Taiwan. As the highest mountain in Japan during the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, it held significant symbolic value. Fujishima's choice of subject reflects the political climate of early 20th-century Japan, marked by expansionist policies and colonial ambitions. During this period, landscape art was often used to promote national identity and celebrate territorial gains. Taiwan, as Japan's first colony, became a popular subject for artists seeking to depict the nation’s growing empire. The soft, romantic brushstrokes create a tranquil scene, subtly promoting the idea of a harmonious and benevolent Japanese presence in Taiwan. Understanding the historical context of this work—Japan’s colonial project and the institutional support for patriotic art—allows us to see how art served the interests of the state. Art history benefits from looking at sources like government records, newspapers and exhibition catalogs to deepen our understanding of the interplay between art, power, and identity.