The Satsuma Rebellion - Known in Japanese as the Seinan Senso or Southwestern War, the Satsuma Rebellion took place in 1877 between disaffected former samurai and Meiji Imperial forces. With the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the Meiji restoration of the Emperor in 1867, the samurai class was abolished, leaving this once ruling class unemployed and impoverished. Led by former Imperial Army General Saigo Takamori, samurai from the Satsuma domain in Kagoshima rebelled against the government, leading to a series of battles that ultimately ended in the defeat of the rebels at the Battle of Shiroyama, with Saigo committing seppuku or ritual suicide. Woodblock prints of the conflict were popular, providing accounts of the latest battles to a public eager for news.

Comments - Terrific triptych depicting Japanese Imperial troops massed along the waterfront during the Sino-Japanese War, with navy warships anchored in the harbor. Companies of infantry stand at attention, with a commanding officer on horseback in front of each group. An array of impressive modern buildings lines the shore, topped with flags fluttering in the ocean breezes. A wonderfully detailed design with a striking setting.

Artist - Meiji era artist (unsigned)

Image Size - 14" x 27 5/8" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with good color and detail as shown. Three separate panels. Small loss, repaired. Creasing, vertical folds at sides, paper remnant at side. Please see photos for details.