Braving the Bitter Cold, Our Troops Set Up Camp at Yingkou Possibly 1895

Editor: This is Kobayashi Kiyochika’s "Braving the Bitter Cold, Our Troops Set Up Camp at Yingkou," a triptych. I'm struck by how Kiyochika depicts the quiet resilience of the soldiers against such a harsh, snowy landscape. What underlying narratives do you see here? Curator: Well, let's consider the context. Kiyochika created this work during a time of intense nationalistic fervor in Japan. How might the romanticized depiction of soldiers, battling the elements, contribute to a specific political agenda? Editor: I guess it's not just a depiction of winter, but also a projection of strength and resolve. Curator: Exactly. And how does the inclusion of the Red Cross flag play into this narrative? Is it purely humanitarian, or does it also serve to legitimize the military campaign and assert a certain moral high ground? Editor: That's a good point. It definitely complicates the image, adding another layer to how the war is being framed. Curator: Indeed. The image becomes not just a snapshot of a moment, but a carefully constructed statement about Japan's role on the world stage, and the complexities of wartime identity. It’s important to question these constructed narratives.