Toshihide Migita, Fierce Battle at Pyongyang, The First Sino-Japanese War
Artist: Toshihide Migita (1863-1925)
Title: Fierce Battle at Pyongyang（日清平壌激戦之図）
Series title: The First Sino-Japanese War
Publisher: Tsutsumi Kichiebei
Date: 1894
Size: (L)25.2 x 36.7 (C)25.1 x 36.3 (R)25.1 x 36.3 cm
Original Japanese woodblock print.
Battle triptychs were produced in large numbers during the Sino-Japanese (1894 - 1895) and Russo-Japanese wars (1904 - 1905) to satisfy widespread interest in the progress of the imperial army and maintain popular support for the conflicts. The prints idealised the heroism of Japanese troops risking their lives for the emperor. As the demand for traditional woodblock prints fell in the Meiji era, many artists turned to wartime propaganda to make ends meet.
Toshihide Migita
Toshihide received his artistic name from his master, Yoshitoshi Tsukioka (1839-1892). He designed a wide variety of prints including actor prints, bijin-ga (prints of beautiful women), newspaper illustrations, kuchi-e (illustrations for novels) and senso-e of the Sino-Japanese (1894-1895) and Russo-Japanese (1904-1905) Wars. From 1887, like many of the woodblock artists who were trying to adapt to changes in art and publishing, he worked as an illustrator for books and newspapers, including a long stint with the Asahi Shinbun starting in 1897.
| Print Format | Triptych |
|---|---|
| Artist | Toshihide Migita |
| Subject | War |
| Dimensions | (L)25.2 x 36.7 (C)25.1 x 36.3 (R)25.1 x 36.3 cm |
| Condition Report | Very light soiling, small creases and thin areas on the margins, pencil note and worn corner at the top of the left panel, some colours running. |
