Japan, September 1894 (Meiji period), publisher: Hasegawa Sonokichi
This magnificent historical triptych is the work of Yōsai Nobukazu, a prominent Meiji-era artist. Published in September 1894, immediately following the outbreak of the First Sino-Japanese War, the woodblock print carries a strong patriotic resonance. The scene depicts Emperor Meiji himself in his role as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces (Daigensui). The Emperor, dressed in a formal Western-style military uniform, is seated in a luxurious horse-drawn carriage. He is surrounded by a large military escort and cavalry. The background of the third sheet reveals the modern, Western-style brick architecture of Tokyo's famous Shinbashi Station, from which the imperial motorcade is departing, likely en route to the military headquarters. The print serves as an excellent example of period reportage graphics and the rapid modernization of the Japanese state at the end of the 19th century.
