Good condition overall with some friction wear and a small rust mark from a paperclip. The print has been backed at some point in the recent past for preservation. The image remains clear and visually intact.
This 1877 (Meiji 10) woodblock print by Suzuki Toshimoto (鈴木年基) depicts scenes from the Satsuma Rebellion (Seinan War), the final major uprising against the Meiji government.
Produced in a nishiki-e shinbun (illustrated newspaper) format, this monochrome print was likely intended for wider distribution as part of a news-style publication such as Kagoshima Shimbun or Seinan Kiden. Unlike more elaborate multicolor prints, these works provided accessible visual reporting of current events during the early Meiji period.
The composition includes key historical and dramatized figures, such as Saigō Takamori (西郷隆盛), the central leader of the rebellion, along with Maehara Ikkaku (前原一格) and a member of the Miyoshi family (三好君), identified within the cartouches.
A compelling and historically significant example of early Japanese illustrated news media, blending reportage with dramatic storytelling. Suitable for collectors of Meiji-era prints, samurai history, and wartime imagery.
