The Occupation of Liaoyang 1904

Kobayashi Kiyochika probably used woodblocks to make this print of the Occupation of Liaoyang. What strikes me is the action: the army surging up the wall, the explosions. All that energy must have come from somewhere inside him. I wonder what Kobayashi was thinking when he made this print. Was he trying to capture the chaos and violence of war? Or was he trying to convey a sense of heroism? Maybe he was just trying to document the event as accurately as possible? I’m drawn to the textures he creates, especially the billowing smoke and fire, and the jagged edges of the stone wall. They almost vibrate with the intensity of the scene. It reminds me of Hokusai's landscapes, where every element is imbued with a sense of movement. You can see how artists are constantly in dialogue, borrowing and riffing off each other's ideas. Ultimately, Kobayashi offers us a glimpse into a specific moment in time, but also invites us to reflect on the broader themes of conflict, power, and human experience.