In this image, which is set in the new international port of Yokohama is the small armies of countries who gained trade entry to Japan. The countries that are shown are: England, France, the Netherlands, Russia, America, and China. China is the only country without a flag or army that is shown. The presence of the armies in the picture gives the thought that these countries were invading Japan, but rather it was more to most likely protect the citizens of the countries. The boats in the foreground also give the impression that more people are coming to Japan to trade for their countries. The difference in the uniforms is rather obvious with the colors of the uniforms.
The words on the picture also tie together the countries and who they are. I am not sure if the words near each corner of the page are the names of the countries or the commander of the brigade. There is also one phase that is constantly around the page. In the white box in the picture, the same is given many times over. Over all I think this an interesting image of the six countries that traded with Japan and helped to make Yokohama an international city.
I agree that the image is clearly portraying two sides. It's interesting to me that though both sides are adequately equipped with weaponry, there is a stillness, rather than a clash, as the two sides meet. It is almost peaceful, given a background of small Japanese ships against the other side of massive European vessels. The image certainly aims to portray the differences, but I think what it is trying to signify about them is unclear. Provide for an possible explanation next time!
ReplyDeleteI agree with your observations. Even though you said that you think the countries are protecting Japan, from my interpretation, there still is a weird tension in the image. I sense that all the different countries are there ad may look like they are protecting, but there still is a sense that they do not belong. Like they're just standing there awkwardly but trying to make it work.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Helen that even though final impressions of this image could be of peace but there is a certain tension present. What bothers me is that represenatives of Japan are absent from the painting. When first looking at the painting, all the individual armies in this image seem to blend together and makes me think of a full out invasion. But looking closer, all the armies are very uniform. The separate armies are organized neatly which brings order to the painting.
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