Japanese Samurai

Depicts two men in Samurai costumes attacking each other in a room. This is one of 15 cartoons by a Japanese artist of miltary life in Japan, capturing the day to day incidents and expereinces of the BCOF in Japan, with wit and humour. After the end of World War II in 1945, many Japanese artists began working in art forms derived from the international scene, moving away from local artistic developments into the mainstream of world art. For much of the history of Japanese art, from 1603 to 1945 (the Edo period to the Post War period), the creation and acquisition of works of art was supported by merchants. The art of the Postwar period, in comparison, was one very much supported by people as consumers. From the 1940s, American art greatly influenced Japan. The incorporation of Western art techniques, a flourishing export market, and a search for a new national identity that combined both tradition and modernity all helped to shape Japanese art during the early decades of the 20th century. In particular, cartoons imported from America were highly influential in Japanese art and eventually led to Anime, the animated productions featuring hand-drawn or computer animation which developed during the 1960s. The 15 cartoons of military life related to BCOF reveal the influences of American popular culture, through their use of vibrant colours, the influence of animated cartoons and caricature. Participation in the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF 1946-1952) marked the first time Australians were involved in the military occupation of a sovereign nation which it had defeated in war. BCOF participation in the Allied occupation force was announced on 31 January 1946. The entire BCOF force totaled 45,000, from Britain, India, New Zealand, and Australia. About 16,000 Australians served in BCOF, including an infantry contingent of 4,700, base units consisting of 5,300, an air force wing of 2,200, and 130 from the Australian General Hospital. The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) also had a presence in the region as part of the British Pacific Fleet.