Print from the series Long Live Japan: One Hundred Victories, One Hundred Laughs

Art Historical Context

Kobayashi Kiyochika *Print from the series Long Live Japan: One Hundredories, One Hundred Laugh* (September 1904) captures the patriotic fervor of Japan's Meiji period (1868–1912) during the Russo-Japanese War. Produced as a woodblock print in vibrant ink and color on paper, thisan-sized work (14¼ × 9⅞ in.) belongs to a celebrated series of over 100 prints that humorously celebrated Japanese military triumphs against Russia, blending national pride with lighthearted satire to boost morale at home. Kiyoch, a master of ukiyo-e woodblock printing and one of the last great traditional printmakers, infused his designs with dynamic energy. Tags like "Army," "Swords," and "Flags" suggest a vivid scene of soldiers in triumphant poses, wielding weapons amid fluttering banners—hallmarks of his realistic style, which incorporated Western shading and perspective while honoring Japanese craftsmanship. The collaborative process of woodblock printing, involving carvers, printers, and publishers, made such works affordable and widely disseminated propaganda art. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art Department (gift of Lincoln Kirstein, 1959), this print reflects Meiji Japan's rapid modernization and imperial ambitions, offering visitors a window into how art rallied a nation during wartime. Its playful title underscores the cultural role of humor in resilience.

About the Artist

Kobayashi Kiyochika · 1847–1915

Japanese, 1847–1915