The title is a latin phrase with biblical origins that translates to "where are you marching?". This quote describes the lone Japanese soldier with his back turned to us, standing at the crossroads in a barren landscape, uncertain of where to go.…
This oil painting depicts the final banzai charge of Japanese soldiers against American troops during the Battle of Attu island, one of bloodiest battles in the Pacific War. The word "Gyokusai" in the title roughly translates to "smashed jewel", and…
A bright red sun rising next to Mt. Fuji across an extravagant gold background. This painting by Yokoyama Taikan is a nationalistic painting that celebrates Japan's imperial glory. It is part of the series "Ten Mountain
Views and Ten Ocean Views",…
Side-profile of a woman in traditional Chinese dress and attire holding an orchid. Through this painting, Fujishima aims to create his idealized portraiture of "oriental beauty." For such an image, he proposes three crucial components: Chinese…
A painting of the famous Forbidden City in Beijing, China. Umehara Ryuzaburō is intrigued by Chinese culture and history during his time living in Beijing. He even rented an apartment right next to the Forbidden City so he can get a good view.
A painting of a sailboat at sea in front of a rising sun. This seemingly tranquil image hides a subtle message of Japanese hegemony and ambitions across the Pacific.