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 - Dramatic Sino-Japanese War scene of the army engineer Onoguchi Tokuji destroying the gate at Jinzhoucheng. The hero poses boldly at right, gripping his gun with both hands, a pickax on the floor below him. An enormous explosion bursts open the gate, with red embers and chunks of debris flying through the air rays of orange light and clouds of yellow and red smoke fill the air. A fantastic and powerful image, the colorful explosion contrasting with the deep black night sky. A great design by Kiyochika.

Artist - Kiyochika (1847 - 1915)

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

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels. Slight paper remnants on reverse from previous backing. A couple small losses and thinning at edge, repaired. A few creases and spots, slight rubbing at sides. Please see photos for details.