Original Getsuzo (active circa 1904 - 1905) Japanese Woodblock Print
In the Battle of Nanshan Lieutenant Shibakawa Matasaburo Led His Men, Holding up a Rising Sun War Fan, 1904
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Senso-e - Senso-e are prints depicting wars, most often the Sino-Japanese War of 1894 - 1895 and the Russo-Japanese War in 1904 - 1905. Primarily triptychs, these images filled the journalistic need for illustrations of current activities on the battle front, but also acted as propaganda, encouraging support for the wars and fostering patriotism. These prints emphasized the bravery and success of the army and navy, using dramatic designs and bold compositions, with customers eagerly purchasing the latest prints. Some famous Meiji era artists did senso-e, including Kiyochika, Chikanobu, and Gekko. By the time the Russo-Japanese War came around, woodblock prints had fallen out of favor due to competition with photography and lithography, so fewer designs exist from this time period as compared to the Sino-Japanese War.

In the Battle of Nanshan Lieutenant Shibakawa Matasaburo Led His Men, Holding up a Rising Sun War Fan, 1904 - Fantastic triptych design from the Russo-Japanese War of Lieutenant Shibakawa Matasaburo leading the Japanese troops at the Battle of Nanshan. Trodding on the body of a fallen Russian, Matasaburo charges ahead waving a fan with the Japanese symbol of a rising sun in one hand as he strikes an enemy on the shoulder with his sword. Clouds of smoke obscure the battle behind him, with orange flames billowing along the horizon at right. A hand applied spray of reddish-brown pigment as flying dust and debris leads a sense of gritty authenticity to the scene. An incredible, dramatic image, beautifully drawn and realistically rendered. The Boston Museum of Fine Arts has this image in its collection.

Artist - Getsuzo (active circa 1904 - 1905)
Image Size - 14 3/4" x 18 1/8" + left margins as shown
Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels. Slight toning, a few creases and small marks, two lightly rubbed spots., light stain at edge. Please see photos for details.