Introducing Sino-Japanese War Print
The First Sino-Japanese War: A Conflict Captured in Ukiyo-e
The First Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895) was a conflict fought between Japan and Qing China, primarily over influence across the Korean Peninsula. Japan sought to support the modernization and independence of Korea to bring it within its own sphere of influence. Conversely, the Qing Dynasty aimed to maintain Korea as a tributary state, viewing Japan’s expanding presence as a direct threat.
The spark for the war was a peasant rebellion within Korea. Japan used the suppression of this revolt as a pretext to send troops, eventually seizing the royal palace and establishing a pro-Japanese government. This move triggered the outbreak of full-scale war. The conflict was defined by fierce naval battles in the Yellow Sea and land campaigns on the Liaodong Peninsula. Japanese forces quickly overwhelmed the Qing military, leading to a decisive Japanese victory that significantly solidified Japan's influence over the Korean Peninsula.
Ukiyo-e was a highly popular form of media at the time. It served as an effective way to report war news to the public, capture people’s imaginations, and document contemporary history. Consequently, a vast number of prints depicting the Sino-Japanese War were produced.
From our recent acquisitions, I would particularly like to introduce the following triptych (three-panel print):
Utagawa Kunimasa: "The Great Naval Battle near the Yellow Sea"
The largest warship featured prominently in the center is the Yoshino of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The print is inscribed with "Imperial Warship Yoshino" (referring to the Imperial Japanese Navy, which existed from 1871 to 1945). The Yoshino was approximately 109.7 meters long and 14 meters wide. After playing a vital role in the Sino-Japanese War, she tragically sank during the Russo-Japanese War following a collision with the Japanese cruiser Kasuga. In this Ukiyo-e, the Yoshino is depicted repeatedly striking the neighboring Dingyuan, a battleship of the Qing Navy.
On the left, you can see the smaller Torpedo Boat Kotaka. This vessel earned great distinction by sinking the Qing warships Laiyuan (bottom right), Weiyuan (top right), and the Baofat.
The artwork vividly captures the moment all three Qing vessels are being destroyed, signaling that a Japanese victory is imminent.
About the Battle of the Yalu River (Yellow Sea)
Japan engaged in the Battle of the Yellow Sea with the explicit goal of neutralizing the Qing Navy. This pitted the Beiyang Fleet (the pride of the Qing Navy) against the Japanese Combined Fleet.
The Japanese Navy employed highly cautious yet effective tactics. Utilizing a fleet composed of cutting-edge warships, Japan leveraged superior mobility to strike the Qing forces. The Qing Navy, by comparison, possessed fewer modern vessels and lacked the maneuverability of the Japanese fleet.
One by one, the Japanese fleet sank the Qing ships, effectively neutralizing the Beiyang Fleet and securing a decisive victory. This triumph established Japan’s maritime supremacy, allowing them to maintain a strategic advantage for the remainder of the war. Indeed, the victory in the Yellow Sea was a primary factor leading to Japan's ultimate success in the conflict.
Many Ukiyo-e prints depicting the Battle of the Yellow Sea remain today. They are powerful, stylish, and deeply fascinating works. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, these prints serve as invaluable historical records of a turning point in East Asian history.
See more example of work through which you can experience the world of Sino-japanese war here.
- J