Great Victory of Our Forces in the Yellow Sea; Number Four 1894

Kobayashi Kiyochika's "Great Victory of Our Forces in the Yellow Sea; Number Four" is a woodblock print depicting the Japanese victory over the Chinese navy during the First Sino-Japanese War. The artist uses dynamic lines and bold colors to capture the excitement and drama of the battle. The composition focuses on a large Japanese warship sailing forward in the foreground while the background shows several Chinese warships sinking in flames. The dramatic portrayal of the Japanese victory reflects a strong nationalistic sentiment in Japan during this period. This print is a prime example of the "ukiyo-e" style which was widely popular in 19th century Japan.