The Sino-Japanese War Woodblock Prints
Although the first Sino-Japanese War lasted less than a year, around 3,000 woodblock prints depicting scenes from the war were created. Dating back to the 17th century, woodblock prints were used as a vehicle for both propaganda and news decimination. The artists of these "war prints" offered the viewer a collection of animated and multicolored battlefront scenarios, a variety of dramatic illustrations of imagined heroes and villains, and a message of victory. A selection of Sino-Japanese War woodblock prints from the Navy Art Collection are featured below.
![Attacking Pyongyang: Our Soldiers Conquer the Enemy Fortress, by Mizuno Toshikata, 1895, woodblock, 15h x 30w Attacking Pyongyang: Our Soldiers Conquer the Enemy Fortress, by Mizuno Toshikata, 1895, woodblock, 15h x 30w](/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/exploration-and-innovation/steam-navy/sino-japanese-war/sino-japanese-prints/_jcr_content/body/media_asset/image.img.jpg/1567525449837.jpg)
Attacking Pyongyang: Our Soldiers Conquer the Enemy Fortress, by Mizuno Toshikata, 1895, woodblock, 15h x 30w. (Navy Art Collection 2008-058-1956 to 1958)
![The Fall of Feng Huang Cheng: Putting the Enemy to Rout, by Mizuno Toshikata, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w. The Fall of Feng Huang Cheng: Putting the Enemy to Rout, by Mizuno Toshikata, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w.](/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/exploration-and-innovation/steam-navy/sino-japanese-war/sino-japanese-prints/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_2101039979/image.img.jpg/1567525576523.jpg)
The Fall of Feng Huang Cheng: Putting the Enemy to Rout, by Mizuno Toshikata, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w. (Navy Art Collection 2008-058-1959 to 1961)
![The Courageous Fight of General Matsuzaki during the Battle of Songhwan, by Watanabe Nobukazu, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w. The Courageous Fight of General Matsuzaki during the Battle of Songhwan, by Watanabe Nobukazu, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w.](/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/exploration-and-innovation/steam-navy/sino-japanese-war/sino-japanese-prints/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_1307594992/image.img.jpg/1567525734351.jpg)
The Courageous Fight of General Matsuzaki during the Battle of Songhwan, by Watanabe Nobukazu, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w. (Navy Art Collection 2008-058-1962 to 1964)
![Japanese Military Might Captures Pyongyang, by Ogata Gekko, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w. Japanese Military Might Captures Pyongyang, by Ogata Gekko, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w.](/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/exploration-and-innovation/steam-navy/sino-japanese-war/sino-japanese-prints/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_1682291649/image.img.jpg/1567525838367.jpg)
Japanese Military Might Captures Pyongyang, by Ogata Gekko, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w. (Navy Art Collection 2008-058-1965 to 1967)
![Chinese and Japanese Troops in a Great Battle at Gaiping, by Nakagawa?, 1895, woodblock, 15h x 30w. Chinese and Japanese Troops in a Great Battle at Gaiping, by Nakagawa?, 1895, woodblock, 15h x 30w.](/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/exploration-and-innovation/steam-navy/sino-japanese-war/sino-japanese-prints/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_1455301606/image.img.jpg/1567525934542.jpg)
Chinese and Japanese Troops in a Great Battle at Gaiping, by Nakagawa?, 1895, woodblock, 15h x 30w. (Navy Art Collection 2008-058-1968 to 1970)
![Braving the Bitter Cold Our Troops Set up Camp at Yingkou, by Kobayashi Kiyochika, 1895, woodblock, 15h x 30w. Braving the Bitter Cold Our Troops Set up Camp at Yingkou, by Kobayashi Kiyochika, 1895, woodblock, 15h x 30w.](/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/exploration-and-innovation/steam-navy/sino-japanese-war/sino-japanese-prints/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_61007037/image.img.jpg/1567526001926.jpg)
Braving the Bitter Cold Our Troops Set up Camp at Yingkou, by Kobayashi Kiyochika, 1895, woodblock, 15h x 30w. (Navy Art Collection 2008-058-1971 to 1973)
![Defying a Shower of Bullets, He Alone, Opened Hyonmu Gate, by Kobayashi Kiyochika, 1895, woodblock, 15h x 30w. Defying a Shower of Bullets, He Alone, Opened Hyonmu Gate, by Kobayashi Kiyochika, 1895, woodblock, 15h x 30w.](/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/exploration-and-innovation/steam-navy/sino-japanese-war/sino-japanese-prints/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_553025591/image.img.jpg/1567526129236.jpg)
Defying a Shower of Bullets, He Alone, Opened Hyonmu Gate, by Kobayashi Kiyochika, 1895, woodblock, 15h x 30w. (Navy Art Collection 2008-058-1974 to 1976)
![The Desperate Fight of the Warships Akagi and Hiei, by Kobayashi Kiyochika, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w. The Desperate Fight of the Warships Akagi and Hiei, by Kobayashi Kiyochika, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w.](/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/exploration-and-innovation/steam-navy/sino-japanese-war/sino-japanese-prints/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_199416781/image.img.jpg/1567526244010.jpg)
The Desperate Fight of the Warships Akagi and Hiei, by Kobayashi Kiyochika, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w. (Navy Art Collection 2008-058-1977 to 1978)
![Harada Jukichi Opens the Genbu Gate from Within the Fort of Pyongyang, by Mizuno Toshikata, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w. Harada Jukichi Opens the Genbu Gate from Within the Fort of Pyongyang, by Mizuno Toshikata, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w.](/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/exploration-and-innovation/steam-navy/sino-japanese-war/sino-japanese-prints/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_449103084/image.img.jpg/1567526345541.jpg)
Harada Jukichi Opens the Genbu Gate from Within the Fort of Pyongyang, by Mizuno Toshikata, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w. (Navy Art Collection 2008-058-1979 to 1981)
![Our Great Victory in the Battle of the Yellow Sea, by Kobayashi Kiyochika, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w. Our Great Victory in the Battle of the Yellow Sea, by Kobayashi Kiyochika, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w.](/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/exploration-and-innovation/steam-navy/sino-japanese-war/sino-japanese-prints/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_593843617/image.img.jpg/1567526496619.jpg)
Our Great Victory in the Battle of the Yellow Sea, by Kobayashi Kiyochika, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w. (Navy Art Collection 2008-058-1982 to 1984)
![Illustration of the Fierce Battle for the Occupation of Weihaiwei, by Utagawa Kokunimasa, 1895, woodblock, 15h x 30w Illustration of the Fierce Battle for the Occupation of Weihaiwei, by Utagawa Kokunimasa, 1895, woodblock, 15h x 30w](/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/exploration-and-innovation/steam-navy/sino-japanese-war/sino-japanese-prints/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_589226696/image.img.jpg/1567526613137.jpg)
Illustration of the Fierce Battle for the Occupation of Weihaiwei, by Utagawa Kokunimasa, 1895, woodblock, 15h x 30w. (Navy Art Collection 2008-058-1985 to 1987)
![Our Forces Great Victory in the Battle of the Yellow Sea, by Kobayashi Kiyochika, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w Our Forces Great Victory in the Battle of the Yellow Sea, by Kobayashi Kiyochika, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w](/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/exploration-and-innovation/steam-navy/sino-japanese-war/sino-japanese-prints/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_1734993643/image.img.jpg/1567526773312.jpg)
Our Forces Great Victory in the Battle of the Yellow Sea, by Kobayashi Kiyochika, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w. (Navy Art Collection 2008-058-1988 to 1900)
![Great Japanese Naval Victory off Haiyaing Island, by Nakamura Shuko, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w Great Japanese Naval Victory off Haiyaing Island, by Nakamura Shuko, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w](/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/exploration-and-innovation/steam-navy/sino-japanese-war/sino-japanese-prints/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_566492342/image.img.jpg/1567526883598.jpg)
Great Japanese Naval Victory off Haiyaing Island, by Nakamura Shuko, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w. (Navy Art Collection 2008-058-1991 to 1993)
![Our Great Victory in the Battle of the Yellow Sea Fourth Illustration, by Kobayashi Kiyochika, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w Our Great Victory in the Battle of the Yellow Sea Fourth Illustration, by Kobayashi Kiyochika, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w](/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/exploration-and-innovation/steam-navy/sino-japanese-war/sino-japanese-prints/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_1403636755/image.img.jpg/1567526992097.jpg)
Our Great Victory in the Battle of the Yellow Sea Fourth Illustration, by Kobayashi Kiyochika, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w. (Navy Art Collection 2008-058-1994 to 1996)
![Picture of Our Elite Forces Capturing the Pescadores Islands Taiwan, by Kobayashi Kiyochika, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w. Picture of Our Elite Forces Capturing the Pescadores Islands Taiwan, by Kobayashi Kiyochika, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w.](/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/exploration-and-innovation/steam-navy/sino-japanese-war/sino-japanese-prints/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_612142234/image.img.jpg/1567527132046.jpg)
Picture of Our Elite Forces Capturing the Pescadores Islands Taiwan, by Kobayashi Kiyochika, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w. (Navy Art Collection 2008-058-1997 to 1999)
![After the Fall of Weihaiwei, the Commander of the Beiyang Fleet Admiral Ding Ruchang Surrenders, by Migita Toshihide, 1895, woodblock, 15h x 30w. After the Fall of Weihaiwei, the Commander of the Beiyang Fleet Admiral Ding Ruchang Surrenders, by Migita Toshihide, 1895, woodblock, 15h x 30w.](/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/exploration-and-innovation/steam-navy/sino-japanese-war/sino-japanese-prints/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_1543725671/image.img.jpg/1567527248179.jpg)
After the Fall of Weihaiwei, the Commander of the Beiyang Fleet Admiral Ding Ruchang Surrenders, by Migita Toshihide, 1895, woodblock, 15h x 30w. (Navy Art Collection 2008-058-2000 to 2002)
![Sino-Japanese War: The Occupation of the Port Arthur Battery, by Ogata Gekko, 1895, woodblock, 15h x 30w. Sino-Japanese War: The Occupation of the Port Arthur Battery, by Ogata Gekko, 1895, woodblock, 15h x 30w.](/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/exploration-and-innovation/steam-navy/sino-japanese-war/sino-japanese-prints/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_642256292/image.img.jpg/1567527342674.jpg)
Sino-Japanese War: The Occupation of the Port Arthur Battery, by Ogata Gekko, 1895, woodblock, 15h x 30w. (Navy Art Collection 2008-058-2003 to 2005)
![Sino-Japanese War: The Surrender of the Port Arthur Battery, by Ogata Gekko, 1895, woodblock, 15h x 30w. Sino-Japanese War: The Surrender of the Port Arthur Battery, by Ogata Gekko, 1895, woodblock, 15h x 30w.](/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/exploration-and-innovation/steam-navy/sino-japanese-war/sino-japanese-prints/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_231061404/image.img.jpg/1567527463995.jpg)
Sino-Japanese War: The Surrender of the Port Arthur Battery, by Ogata Gekko, 1895, woodblock, 15h x 30w. (Navy Art Collection 2008-058-2006 to 2008)
![Battle of Pyongyang, by Migita Toshihide, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w. Battle of Pyongyang, by Migita Toshihide, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w.](/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/exploration-and-innovation/steam-navy/sino-japanese-war/sino-japanese-prints/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_1563538089/image.img.jpg/1567527676194.jpg)
Battle of Pyongyang, by Migita Toshihide, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w. (Navy Art Collection 2008-058-2009 to 2011)
![Victory at Pyongyang by Kobayashi Kiyochika, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w. Victory at Pyongyang by Kobayashi Kiyochika, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w.](/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/exploration-and-innovation/steam-navy/sino-japanese-war/sino-japanese-prints/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_803110515/image.img.jpg/1567527798785.jpg)
Victory at Pyongyang by Kobayashi Kiyochika, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w. (Navy Art Collection 2008-058-2012 to 2014)
![Hurrah for Japan: The Victory Song of Pyongyang, by Kobayashi Kiyochika, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w. Hurrah for Japan: The Victory Song of Pyongyang, by Kobayashi Kiyochika, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w.](/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/exploration-and-innovation/steam-navy/sino-japanese-war/sino-japanese-prints/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_502295322/image.img.jpg/1567527953842.jpg)
Hurrah for Japan: The Victory Song of Pyongyang, by Kobayashi Kiyochika, 1894, woodblock, 15h x 30w. (Navy Art Collection 2008-058-2015 to 2017)