Pit Workers in the Old Days #17: Pictures in the Show Box #10 (The Last Moments of the Hitachi Maru)
1958 - 1963

Mukashi no Yamabito #17: Nozoki # 10 (Hitachi Maru no Saigo)
[Pit Workers in the Old Days #17: Pictures in the Show Box #10 (The Last Moments of the Hitachi Maru)]
20.9 x 30.0 cm Ink Painting

On June 15, 1904, Japanese troopships left the port of Moji through the morning mist. Unexpectedly, they encountered the Russian fleet, which was composed of three warships from Vladivostok, near Mutsurejima Island in the coastal sea. The second troopship Hokoku Maru returned to port. However, the leading ship Hitachi Maru was plunged into a crisis like a mouse hunted down by a cat. This unarmed ship could not do anything against the enemy fleet. The Russian fleet demanded the Hitachi Maru to stop and immediately opened fire. The Hitachi Maru asked the Russian fleet to give them 30 minutes to let non-combatants leave the ship and the proposal was accepted. However, the Russians opened fire again within 5 minutes. Ah, what a pity! The 600 picks including Regimental Commander Suchi of the Sixth Kumamoto Division of the Japanese Army under the command of Lieutenant-general Okubo, sank with regret under the Sea of Genkai without arriving at their destined front. It is said that they died tragically, each committing suicide by seppuku or stabbing each other after burning the regimental colors.
Though this incident occurred during wartime, there was no other incident that shocked the Japanese people more or caused more hatred among them. It was because the cruel enemy tortured these Japanese soldiers to death as easily as if they took candy from a baby.

The three Russian warships were the Rossia (with four hateful chimneys), Gromoboi, and Rurik.


Translation Assisted by Mr. Nathan Johndro

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