Colonel Sato's column falling upon Chinese fugitives on the Wiju road before 1899

This image, produced by the Ordnance Survey Office, captures a scene from the First Sino-Japanese War, specifically depicting Colonel Sato's forces attacking Chinese fugitives on the road to Wiju. The print offers a window into the power dynamics of the late 19th century, marked by Japanese expansionism and its impact on China. Here we see the harsh realities of war, portrayed through a lens that undoubtedly favors the colonizer. The artist presents a version of the conflict where Japanese soldiers are active agents and the Chinese are seen as fleeing, voiceless figures, in the background. The emotional weight of this imagery is palpable. The artist invites a visceral reaction to war while framing the narrative from a decidedly biased point of view. The lack of individual stories or personal context serves to dehumanize the Chinese subjects. The artist's choices underscore the way visual media can reinforce nationalistic sentiments, shaping historical memory to fit a specific political agenda.