The Russo-Japanese war was fought during 1904-1905 between the Russian Empire and the Empire of Japan for dominance in the Far East, particularly over Manchuria and Korea. This Russo-Japanese war was covered by dozens of journalists where, during this particular period of time, Editorial cartoons were a main.
These cartoons did not necessarily capture the public opinion, but they did reflect certain key themes that emerge in the American discourse concerning the Russo-Japanese War such as the admiration and anxiety about Japan’s military presence as well as the need to estimate the effect of the Russo-Japanese War on geopolitical relations.
In these political cartoons Russia was frequently symbolized as a bear or in some cases as a polar bear. On the other hand, cartoonists signified that japan was warlike by picturing this country as a fierce samurai or by exaggerating Emperor Mutsuhito’s physical features to make him look like a bird of prey.
