"The Great Battle of Ansong Ford: The Valor of Captain Matsuzaki"  by Mizuno Toshikata, 1894-1895 [2000.115] Sharf Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
"Lieutenant Commander Sakamoto of the Imperial Warship 'Akagi'
Fights Bravely"  by Mizuno Toshikata, 1894 [2000.380.20]
"The Skillful Harada Jūkichi of the First Army in the Attack on Hyonmu Gate Leads the Fierce Fight"  by Mizuno Toshikata, 1894 [2000.101] Sharf Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
"The Great Battle of Ansong Ford: The Valor of Captain Matsuzaki"
by Mizuno Toshikata, 1894-1895 [2000.115]
"Picture of Colonel Satō Attacking the Fortress at Niuzchuang"  by Migita Toshihide, 1895 [2000.433] Sharf Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
"The Skillful Harada Jūkichi of the First Army in the Attack on Hyonmu
Gate Leads the Fierce Fight"  by Mizuno Toshikata, 1894 [2000.101]
"Captain Higuchi, the Battalion Commander of the Sixth Division..."  by Migita Toshihide, 1895 [2000.427] Sharf Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
"Captain Higuchi"  by Mizuno Toshikata, 1895
[2000.439]
"Captain Higuchi, the Battalion Commander of the Sixth Division..."
by Migita Toshihide, 1895 [2000.427]
"Lieutenant Commander Sakamoto of the Imperial Warship 'Akagi' Fights Bravely"  by Mizuno Toshikata, 1894 [2000.380_20] Sharf Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston "Captain Higuchi"  by Mizuno Toshikata, 1895 [2000.439] Sharf Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
"Picture of Colonel Satō Attacking the Fortress at Niuzchuang"
by Migita Toshihide, 1895 [2000.433]
"Captain Sakuma Raising a War Cry at the Occupation of the Pescadores" by Migita Toshihide, 1894-1895 [2000.380_02] Sharf Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
"Picture of Captain Sakuma Raising a War Cry at the Occupation
of the Pescadores"  by Migita Toshihide, 1890 [2000.134]
The Predictable Pose of the Hero


Although prints of the Sino-Japanese War purported to depict actual battles and the exploits of real-life officers and enlisted men, the "Hero" almost invariably struck a familiar pose—like a traditional Kabuki actor playing a modern-day warrior. Officers in austere Western-style uniforms brandished swords (the counterpart for enlisted men was the bayonet). Their posture was resolute, their discipline obvious, their will transparently unshakable.



Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf Collection at
the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Throwing Off Asia, by John W. Dower

 On viewing images of a potentially disturbing nature: click here.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
© 2008 Visualizing Cultures
"Colonel Satō Charges at the Enemy Using the Regimental Flag as a Crutch in the Fierce Battle of Newchang" by Ogata Gekkō, 1895 [2000.182] Sharf Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston "Picture of Captain Sakuma Raising a War Cry at the Occupation of the Pescadores"  by Migita Toshihide, 1890 [2000.134] Sharf Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
"The Great Victory of Our Army at the Battle of Pyongyang"
by Adachi Ginkō, 1894-1895 [2000.380.02]
"Colonel Satō Charges at the Enemy Using the Regimental Flag as a Crutch
n the Fierce Battle of Newchang" by Ogata Gekkō, 1895 [2000.182]
MIT Visualizing Cultures