The Heroic Fight of Cavalry Scout Captain Asakawa Possibly 1895

Curator: This striking triptych print, held in the Harvard Art Museums, is titled The Heroic Fight of Cavalry Scout Captain Asakawa by Kobayashi Kiyochika. Editor: My first impression is the dramatic weather! The driving rain creates a somber, almost ghostly atmosphere over the entire scene. Curator: Kiyochika, who lived from 1847 to 1915, captured this scene using woodblock printing. It's fascinating how the rain seems to wash away any individual identity, creating a sense of collective struggle. Editor: Yes, and it highlights how war strips away dignity. The fallen figures, rendered in muted colors, become almost abstract forms in the downpour. We see the captain standing over them, literally stepping on them. Curator: Indeed. The symbolism is powerful. Kiyochika’s work often reflected the changing social and political landscape of Meiji-era Japan, and images of military prowess served to propagate the myth of empire. Editor: Ultimately, though, the print is a poignant commentary on the human cost of conflict, wouldn't you say? All the symbols of progress become mired in mud and obscured by rain. Curator: A fitting reminder that heroism is often inseparable from tragedy.