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 - Beautiful autumn scene of First Army scouts reconnoitering at Motianling during the Sino-Japanese War. One man stands on a narrow peninsula jutting into a lake or river, looking out across the placid water, his figure reflected below. His companion waits in the woods at left, holding his mount. A striking design with a lovely sense of light and color, the enormous tree trunk and bank bathed in warm yellow and orange sunlight, the trees in the distance at upper right rendered with an almost abstract sensibility as they disappear into the mist. The Boston Museum of Fine Arts has this image in its collection. A very handsome and unusually peaceful image from this historic conflict.

Artist - Beisaku (1864 - 1903)

Image Size - 13 7/8" x 27 5/8" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three attached panels, backed with paper. Slight toning, a few light creases. Please note: due to the size, this print may be shipped rolled. Please see photos for details. Good overall.