Our Forces Defeating the Chinese Soldiers at Pyongyang - Unknown Artist

A Japanese woodblock triptych from 1894 depicting the Battle of Pyongyang during the First Sino-Japanese War.

This woodblock print depicts a scene from the First Sino-Japanese War, specifically the Battle of Pyongyang in 1894. The composition is a triptych, a common format for Japanese war prints of the period, allowing for a wide, panoramic view of the conflict. On the left, Japanese soldiers are shown advancing under the cover of trees, while the central figure, mounted on horseback, carries the Rising Sun flag. The right side of the image is dominated by the chaos of battle, with billowing clouds of smoke obscuring the clash between Japanese and Chinese forces. The print belongs to the genre of senso-e, or war prints, which became popular in Japan during the late nineteenth century. These works served as a primary source of visual information for the public, documenting military campaigns through a blend of traditional ukiyo-e techniques and modern subject matter. The artist employs a clear, graphic style to distinguish the opposing sides, using uniform details and flags to denote national identity. The use of colour is restrained, relying on a palette of muted tones to convey the atmosphere of the battlefield, punctuated by the bright red of the Japanese flag. Technically, the print demonstrates the skill of the carvers and printers who produced these works under tight deadlines to satisfy public demand for news from the front. The lines are precise, defining the figures and equipment with clarity. While the depiction of the battle is stylised rather than documentary, it provides a window into the visual culture of Meiji Japan and the way the nation perceived its military expansion. The work remains a specimen of the intersection between traditional printmaking and the rapid modernisation of Japanese society during the late nineteenth century.