MIT Visualizing Cultures
Commemorating a Great Battle

The Battle of the Japan Sea
by Saitō Shōshū, 1904–1905

Designed by Saitō Shōshū and made up of ten cards that fit together like fine joinery, this commercial tour de force combines an expansive painterly vista of sea and ships with elaborate borders top and bottom, all studded with that most “realistic” of contemporary representations: photo portraits of the Japanese commanders. The Battle of the Japan Sea took place in August 1904.
The Battle of the Japan Sea by Saitō Shōshū, 1904 - 1905 [2002_5157] Leonard A. Lauder Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
“The Battle of the Japan Sea , no. 10”
[2002.5157]
The Battle of the Japan Sea by Saitō Shōshū, 1904 - 1905 [2002_1132] Leonard A. Lauder Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
“The Battle of the Japan Sea with General Riu, no. 9”
[2003.635]
The Battle of the Japan Sea by Saitō Shōshū, 1904 - 1905 [2002_1131] Leonard A. Lauder Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
“The Battle of the Japan Sea with General Dewa, no.8”
[2002.1132]
“The Battle of the Japan Sea with General Kataoka, no.7”
[2002.1131]
The Battle of the Japan Sea by Saitō Shōshū, 1904 - 1905 [2003_0635] Leonard A. Lauder Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, BostonThe Battle of the Japan Sea by Saitō Shōshū, 1904 - 1905 [2002_1134] Leonard A. Lauder Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
“The Battle of the Japan Sea with General Yamada, no.6”
[2002.1134]
The Battle of the Japan Sea by Saitō Shōshū, 1904 - 1905 [2002_1133] Leonard A. Lauder Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
“The Battle of the Japan Sea with General Togo; no.5”
[2002.1133]
The Battle of the Japan Sea by Saitō Shōshū, 1904 - 1905 [2003_634] Leonard A. Lauder Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
“The Battle of the Japan Sea with Admiral Togo, no. 4”
[2003.634]
The Battle of the Japan Sea by Saitō Shōshū, 1904 - 1905 [2003_633] Leonard A. Lauder Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
“The Battle of the Japan Sea, no. 3”
[2003.633]
The Battle of the Japan Sea by Saitō Shōshū, 1904 - 1905 [2003_0632] Leonard A. Lauder Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
“The Battle of the Japan Sea, no. 2”
[2003.632]
box
One postcard from the series is missing.
Images from the Leonard A. Lauder Collection of
Japanese Postcards at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

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© 2008 Visualizing Cultures