'Lighthouse Victory' from the Series One Hundred Victories, One Hundred Laughs
This interesting print depicts a comical scene from the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-95.  The upper third of the print contains the comic story, written by Koppi Dojin, the pen name for Nishimori Takeki. The image, by Kiyochika, shows a larger than life general holding up a lighthouse, with a chaotic scene of Chinese soldiers running for their lives. This print was made in March 1895.  It measures 14" x 9.5", and it is in a white folder attached at the edges. There are several notations on the folder by a collector (in pencil) pertaining to the print.  It is in fine condition, with trimmed margins, which was quite common in series such as this one.  More detail about the series below.    P8269  $235
 
This series One Hundred Victories, One Hundred Laughs was issued in three parts and presented parodies of the enemy, the Chinese in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 and ten years later the Russians in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. The first part of the series titled Long Live Japan: One Hundred Victories, One Hundred Laughs, consisting of fifty prints, was issued between September 1894 and August 1895. The second part of the series titled Magic Lantern Society: One Hundred Victories, One Hundred Laughs, consisting of twelve prints, was issued between November 1895 and December 1896. Both of these parts parodied (often in a racist manner) the Chinese people, leadership and war effort. The third and last part of the series, consisting of eight-six prints, used the same title as the first part Long Live Japan: One Hundred Victories, One Hundred Laughs. Issued between April 1904 and April 1905, the prints parodied the Russian war effort.