Engineer Lieutenant Onoguchi Tokuji, from the Series ‘Mirror of Famous Army and Navy Men’ 1895

This is a woodblock print depicting Engineer Lieutenant Onoguchi Tokuji, made by Kobayashi Kiyochika as part of the series ‘Mirror of Famous Army and Navy Men’. The series to which this print belongs elevates military figures to the status of popular heroes. Kiyochika created the print during a period of intense militarization and nationalistic sentiment in Japan. The Meiji government, from 1868, initiated rapid military reforms, modelling their army and navy on western forces. This print serves as an artifact of Japan's evolving military identity, reflecting the Meiji government's agenda to cultivate a sense of national pride and military prowess. The fiery scene and dynamic composition dramatize the figure of Onoguchi, imbuing him with a sense of heroic action. Through accessible and affordable artworks like this, institutions and leaders shape cultural values. To fully understand this artwork, one must examine the social and institutional context in which it was created. Research into military reforms, media history, and Meiji-era popular culture would reveal deeper insights into its meaning.