Triptych: Despite the Snow the Japanese Army Perseveres to Hold Their Strong Position at Wei-hai-wei (Yuki o okashite waga gun Ikaiei no kenrui o nuku zu), Meiji period, dated 1895

Medium:: Woodblock print
Format:: Oban triptych
Source:: Harvard Art Museums

Typical Price

Complete Sino-Japanese War triptych in excellent condition: $500–$2,000
Good condition war triptych: $200–$600
Later impression or worn: $80–$250

Description

This 1895 triptych shows Japanese forces maintaining their hold on fortified positions at Weihaiwei through a snowstorm — a subject Kiyochika treated in multiple versions reflecting the war's winter climax. Soldiers crouch behind earthworks in blizzard conditions, their dark forms contrasting with the swirling white. The Japanese title, Yuki o okashite waga gun Ikaiei no kenrui o nuku zu, translates as "Braving the snow, our army breaks through the stronghold at Weihaiwei," and the print conveys the elemental stubbornness of the winter campaign.

More Prints by Kobayashi Kiyochika

The Bureau of Industry Building at Kammeidome

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Taro Inari Shrine at the Asakusa Ricefields — 浅草田甫太郎稲荷

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The great victory of our Naval forces near Phung-to in Korea

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More Snow Scenes Prints

Fair Weather After Snow at Yamato Bridge, Kyoto (Yamato bashi no yukibare), Taishô period, dated 1924

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The Compound of the Tenman Shrine at Kameido in the Snow (Kameido Tenmangu keidai no yuki), from the series "Famous Places in the Eastern Capital (Toto meisho)"

c. 1832/38

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Miyajima in Snow (Yuki no Miyajima)

Yuki no Miyajima

1929

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Evening Snow at Shiha Park, Tokyo

1932

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Frequently Asked Questions

Triptych: Despite the Snow the Japanese Army Perseveres to Hold Their Strong Position at Wei-hai-wei (Yuki o okashite waga gun Ikaiei no kenrui o nuku zu), Meiji period, dated 1895 was created by Kobayashi Kiyochika (小林清親).