Senso-e - Senso-e are prints depicting wars, most often the Sino-Japanese War of 1894 - 1895 and the Russo-Japanese War in 1904 - 1905. Primarily triptychs, these images filled the journalistic need for illustrations of current activities on the battle front, but also acted as propaganda, encouraging support for the wars and fostering patriotism. These prints emphasized the bravery and success of the army and navy, using dramatic designs and bold compositions, with customers eagerly purchasing the latest prints. Some famous Meiji era artists did senso-e, including Kiyochika, Chikanobu, and Gekko. By the time the Russo-Japanese War came around, woodblock prints had fallen out of favor due to competition with photography and lithography, so fewer designs exist from this time period as compared to the Sino-Japanese War.

Comments - Handsome illustration of the Japanese attack at Niuzhuang during the Sino-Japanese War. At right, an officer stands on a rocky outcropping surveying the troops with a pair of binoculars. A fellow officer approaches at center, wading through the shallow water. Smoke fills the sky from the row of cannons firing along the hilltop, with horses pulling more cannons across the stream. The Boston Museum of Fine Arts has this image in its collection. A handsome design with fine detail and deeper color in the foreground figures, a nice contrast to the more muted tones and sketch-like quality of the middle- and backgrounds.

Artist - Kiyochika (1847 - 1915)

Image Size - 13 3/4" x 27 7/8" + top margin as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three attached panels, backed with paper. Slight separation at ends of vertical centerfold, small loss at edge, repaired. Slight toning and soiling, a few creases. Please see photos for details. Good overall.