Description: PRINTS BOOKS PHOTOGRAPHS MANUSCRIPTS CURIOSITIES - CONTEMPORARY WOODBLOCK PRINT FROM THE SERIES 'ONE HUNDRED SELECTED LAUGHS' -KIYOCHIKA (Kobayashi, 小林 清親, Japanese ukiyo-e artist, 1847-1915); RUCHANG (Admiral Ding, Chinese military officer, 1836-1895).Rare original Japanese colour woodblock print titled [translation] 'Chinese troops' seppuku', showing Admiral Ding Ruchang about to disembowel himself, March 1895. Original colour woodblock. Series title and commentary in upper quadrant. Kiyochika's signature and seal in lower right corner. March 1895. Size: approx. 37cm x 25cm.Very Good condition. Very light creasing / age-toning. Please ask if you require a more detailed condition report, and view gallery images closely.In this original ukiyo-e cartoon, published in 1895, the Chinese naval commander Ding Ruchang is shown as Kambei, a character in Act 6 of the well-known play Chūshingura from 'The treasure-house of the forty-seven loyal serfs'.During the Battle of Lushunkou, in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-95, Ding was ordered to withdraw his ships to the safety of Weihaiwei without giving battle to the Japanese. During the subsequent Battle of Weihaiwei, his ships were kept within the protective confines of the harbour, but the situation proved hopeless once the Imperial Japanese Army had seized the shore fortifications and lowered the boom enclosing the harbour to permit attacks by Japanese torpedo boats. Ding refused offers of political asylum by Japanese admiral Itō Sukeyuki and committed suicide by an overdose of opium in his office at his Liugong Island headquarters. His deputy, Admiral Liu Buchan, after ordering that his warship be scuttled by explosives, also committed suicide. The remnants of the Beiyang Fleet surrendered to the Japanese. key words: <
Price: 330 GBP
Location: Ascot
End Time: 2024-12-16T14:27:20.000Z
Shipping Cost: 30.51 GBP
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Item Specifics
Return postage will be paid by: Buyer
Returns Accepted: Returns Accepted
After receiving the item, your buyer should cancel the purchase within: 30 days
Antique: Yes
Original/Repro: Antique Original
Product: Print
Region of Origin: Japanese
Age: 1850-1899
Country of Origin: Japan
