The First Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 was a pivotal moment in East Asian history, marking the decline of the Qing dynasty and the rise of Japan as a modern imperial power. Yet, while the war’s military and political consequences were severe and far-reaching, the perception of the conflict among many ordinary Chinese at the time was strikingly different from the reality. Popular imagery, especially in the form of vibrant woodblock prints and illustrated news sheets, painted a picture of overwhelming Qing triumph rather than crushing defeat. This article explores the historical context of the war, the military engagements, the cultural impact of wartime propaganda, and the enduring legacy of this distorted public perception.

Historical Context: The Waning Qing and Rising Japan

By the late 19th century, the Qing dynasty was grappling with internal decay and external pressures. After a series of humiliating defeats in the Opium Wars and the Taiping Rebellion, the empire attempted a series of self-strengthening reforms aimed at modernizing its military and industrial capabilities. These efforts, however, were halting and fragmented, impeded by court politics and conservative resistance.

In contrast, Meiji Japan was rapidly modernizing along Western lines, developing a powerful navy and army well-equipped with modern technology. The Korean Peninsula, long a tributary state of China, became the flashpoint for conflict as Japan sought to extend its influence there. The clash between the Qing and Japanese empires erupted into full-scale war in 1894.

The Military Reality: Defeat at Sea and on Land

Despite some pockets of resistance, the Qing military suffered devastating defeats both at sea and on land. The Beiyang Fleet, China’s modernized naval force, engaged the Imperial Japanese Navy but ultimately was destroyed due to poor leadership and strategic missteps. The Japanese navy’s superior tactics and training led to decisive victories, including the sinking of several Chinese warships.

On land, the Japanese army’s efficiency was even more stark. Reports indicate that Japanese forces, remarkably, expended only about eight rifle bullets per soldier in their campaigns against the Qing troops, a testament to their overwhelming tactical superiority and the disorganization of Qing ground forces. These defeats not only resulted in territorial losses, such as the cession of Taiwan, but also effectively ended the Qing dynasty’s hopes of maintaining its regional dominance.

The Disparity of Perception: Popular Imagery and Propaganda

While the Qing court and reformist intellectuals were shaken by the defeat, the broader populace remained largely unaware of the true outcome of the war. Many ordinary Chinese, especially in rural areas, believed that the Qing had won a comprehensive victory. This widespread misconception was fueled by the circulation of woodblock prints and illustrated news sheets depicting heroic Qing soldiers and the capture of Japanese prisoners.

One poignant account comes from Jiang Menglin, a prominent Chinese educator born in 1886, who recalled his childhood belief in a Qing victory. As a child, Jiang saw vividly colored prints sold by itinerant vendors that showed dramatic naval battles where Japanese warships were struck and sunk by large explosive jars—depicted humorously as oversized chamber pots floating on the sea. Other prints portrayed Japanese soldiers in chains and cages, prisoners of the victorious Qing army.

This imagery was not isolated. Collections of such prints have survived and were even exhibited in recent years by institutions such as the Japanese National Archives and the British Library. Among them is a print titled “The Capture and Execution of Japanese Traitors,” showing bound Japanese prisoners awaiting execution, closely matching Jiang’s childhood memories.

The Role of Woodblock Prints in Shaping Wartime Narratives

Woodblock printing was a longstanding Chinese tradition used to disseminate information and popular culture. During the late Qing period, these prints served as a form of mass communication, particularly in times of crisis or conflict. The prints related to the Sino-Japanese War emphasized Qing valor and triumph, often employing dramatic and exaggerated imagery.

For example, one print titled “Victory in the Korean Naval Battle” showcased Qing naval forces decisively defeating the Japanese fleet. The accompanying text decried Japanese aggression and celebrated the Qing’s righteous response. Another print, “Great Naval Victory,” depicted smoke-filled sea battles with Qing ships sinking multiple Japanese ironclads, and proclaimed an imminent total defeat of the Japanese.

On land, prints like “The Night Battle in Korea with Oxen Formation” illustrated mythical or exaggerated tactics, such as charging bulls with blades tied to their horns attacking retreating Japanese soldiers, emphasizing Qing dominance and Japanese disarray.

Cultural and Psychological Implications

The dissonance between the actual military defeat and the popular belief in victory reveals much about late Qing society’s communication channels and psychological state. The Qing government, eager to maintain morale and legitimacy, tacitly allowed or even supported the production of such propaganda. For many common people, distant from the political center and isolated by limited literacy and slow communication, these prints were the primary source of news.

This disconnect also highlights the complexities of national identity and historical memory. The Qing dynasty was deeply invested in preserving order and control, and the illusion of success in wartime propaganda helped sustain a fragile sense of confidence amid growing crisis.

The Aftermath: Collapse of Reform and National Reckoning

The war’s true outcome—Japan’s victory and China’s territorial losses—was a harsh blow to the Qing dynasty. The defeat shattered the hopes pinned on the Self-Strengthening Movement and exposed the deep weaknesses of Qing governance and military organization. The loss accelerated internal calls for reform and contributed to the rise of revolutionary movements seeking to overthrow the dynasty.

However, the limited impact of the defeat on the general population’s awareness delayed broader societal mobilization. It was only in the ensuing decades, as failures mounted and foreign incursions intensified, that a more widespread national consciousness of China’s precarious position emerged.

Legacy: Memory, Myth, and Modern Reflection

Today, historians see the Sino-Japanese War of 1894 as a watershed moment that ended centuries of Qing dominance and set the stage for modern East Asian geopolitics. The war revealed the urgent need for modernization and reform in China, lessons that would resonate through the 20th century.

The wartime prints, once instruments of propaganda, now serve as fascinating historical artifacts. They provide insight into how information was managed, how public perception was shaped, and how societies cope with trauma through myth-making. The tales of chamber pot bombs sinking Japanese warships and triumphant prisoners in cages may seem fanciful, but they underscore the human desire to believe in victory and resilience, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Conclusion

The First Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 was not only a military and political turning point but also a cultural one. The stark contrast between actual events and popular perception, as shaped by colorful woodblock prints, reveals the complexities of late Qing China’s social fabric. Understanding this disparity enriches our comprehension of the period’s historical dynamics and reminds us of the powerful role that imagery and narrative play in shaping collective memory.