The Imo Incident, 1882

Comments - Interesting scene of the Japanese response to the Korean uprising known as the Imo Incident, which took place on July 23, 1882. Some Korean military units in Seoul revolted, attacking government officials and Japanese military advisors and diplomats. The Japanese minister to Korea, Hanabusa Yoshitada, barely escaped with the assistance of a British ship. In return, the Japanese sent Hanabusa back to Seoul accompanied by four naval warships, three cargo ships, and a battalion of soldiers. Here, left scene shows military leaders and diplomats and Japanese troops gathered in front of a Japanese warship, a national flag flying proudly at right. The left panel includes Navy Rear Admiral Nirei, Daisho ei Shigeru, Foreign Affairs Minister Inoue, Consul Kondo, Head Chamberlain Yamaguchi, Takeda Kunitaro, and Sugiyama Shosa. In the center panel, the uniformed officer with a red name cartouche is Military Police Captain Arima Akira. The triptych is divided diagonally to show the conflict at right, with a wounded Korean soldier on his knees screaming in pain as blood flows from his neck and a Japanese officer poses with his foot resting atop the neck of a fallen horse, his white uniform tattered and covered with blood. Shots burst in the night sky all around the figures. Nicely colored and detailed, with a dusting of mica across the night sky along the diagonal division. A fascinating subject for a student of military history.

Artist - Kiyochika (1847 - 1915)

Image Size - 14" x 28"

Condition - Nice color and detail. A couple repairs.