Nagashima Shungyô: Objects Captured at the Battle of Seonghwan (Seikan) in Korea
Artist: Nagashima Shungyô (Mosai) (Active ca. 1882-1905)
Title: Nisshin War: Picture of Loot from the Battle of Seikan (Nisshin-kôsen Chôsen Seikan-no-eki bundorihin no zu 日清交戦朝鮮成歓役分捕品ノ圖) Date: September, 1894
The Battle of Songhwan was the first major land battle in the first Sino-Japanese War. Nagashima Shungyô 永島春曉 was was said to be Yoshitora’s芳虎 son and a pupil of Kuniyoshi國芳.
The text at the top of the print can be translated as follows:
“The night of July 27 (1894) Japan army defeated Qing army at Asan in Seikan, Korea. The Qing soldiers abandoned their arms and fled. It was a great victory for Japanese Army and they seized a mountain of loot. This loot of the battle of Seikan were delivered to Headquarters this time. These were exhibited with an explanatory note attached to each item from 11th of this month until 24th in the front shrine of the Yasukuni Shrine at Kudanshita, Tokyo in order to let the people to see (the victory). I saw this myself and the picture shows an overviews as it appears at a glance, with an accompanying explanation. After viewing we could assess the state of military preparations and why our army could win the battle.”
List of Items:
“Six military uniforms: two kinds of coats and underwear; Six military caps: black serge decorated with red silk tassel, the one for official ranking has crystal pearl and jasper tube on the top and with phoenix feather, which is namely a medal and called “Karei“ .
A bag: made of leather, painted in red, powdered with gold, designed with different pattern and with strings on both sides for carrying.One coat of Korean official courtesan: not beautiful as picture shows.Fifty some large and small banner: the large one ca. 30m in square, triangle at edge, painted with a dragon or white characters 蘇葉魏馮李 sewn onto a red Indian cotton sheet ?. Many kinds of small flags: some are silk-like cloth with one or two characters sewn on or black characters on white Indian cotton.
Two military drums, diameter ca. 167 cm as shown.
Four bronze gongs: It is enough to show that their military preparations were inadequate.
Three Trumpets: old fashioned long and narrow.
One sheet of map: strategic details written by an officer.
Eight large cannons: (these were) stored in Hiroshima.
Fire arrows, spear, cannonballs were not exhibited but are also among loot. I shall write and explain next time about them.”
Writing in red tanzaku on the right sheet:
Large banner, military clothing, explosive shell, cannonball, command flag, patrol flag, military uniform, spear, bag for medals, and military drum.
In the center sheet: Drill flag, command flag, explosive shell, gong, coat of Korean officer, explosive shell, signal flag, command flag, imperial decree,
On the left sheet: Trumpet, strategy map, military flag, cannon, military cap, and Western style drum.(With thanks to Michiko Sato-Grube for her research.)
Condition: Excellent impression and color. Very good condition. Some browning to areas in the cartouche and at top of leftmost sheet. Unbacked and untrimmed.
Dimensions: 37.2 x 25 cm each sheet (ôban triptych) Signed: Shungyô 春曉
Publisher: Katada Chôjirô 片田長次郎
SKU: WAR100
