Admiring the Japanese
One of the fresh insights that popular graphics such as foreign postcards of the Russo-Japanese War provide is that it is not possible to make simple generalizations about “how Westerners regarded the Japanese.”
Some foreign renderings were flattering. Some were more or less neutral. Some were mocking, and more than a few were flat-out racist.
This portrait series of Japan’s most famous military and civilian leaders (including Mutsuhito, the Meiji emperor) appeared in both English and German versions. In these flattering treatments, the Japanese are virtually indistinguishable from European and British dignitaries.
“Marquis Ito, President of the Cabinet”
from the "In the Far East" Series (217)
[2002.5554]
“Mutsuhito, Emperor of Japan”
from a German series
[2002.5553]
“General Count Katsura, Prime Miinister ”
from a German series
[2002.3681]
“Marquis Yamagata, Chief of the War Council”
from the "In the Far East" Series (216)
[2002.5551]
“Marshal Oyama, Chief of the General Staff ”
from a German series
[2002.3682]
“General Terauchi, Minister of War”
from the "In the Far East" Series (216)
[2002.5549]
“Vice-Admiral S. Ito”
from the series “In the Far East” (217)
[2002.3687]
“Admiral Togo, In Command of the Japanese Fleet”
from the series “In the Far East” (216)
[2003.633]
