Judge, 1894-11-10 · page 16 of 16
Judge — November 10, 1894 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This eight-panel comic tells a satirical story of romantic competition between a Chinese man and a Japanese man vying for a Korean woman's hand. The joke satirizes stereotypical depictions: the Chinese suitor uses "primitive" weapons (bow, arrow, gong, bamboo shirt) while the Japanese competitor purchases modern military technology (armor-plate, Gatling gun). After the Japanese man defeats his rival through superior firepower, the satirical punchline emerges: the Korean maiden has eloped not with either suitor, but with a Methodist missionary (the "paw" of ten Methodist boys)—suggesting Western Christian influence "wins" over both Asian powers. The satire likely comments on competing imperial interests in Korea during the 1890s, with the absurd outcome implying Western/Christian influence ultimately triumphs over Asian colonial ambitions. The comic uses exaggerated ethnic caricatures and period stereotypes throughout.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
3 Suge A Stuint-eyed Chine and a bright Japanese Both loved a fair maid of Koree; They offered their hearts with a highly-born ease The maiden delighted to see. As she loved both alike, this maid of Koree, She told them to fight for her hand— Each rival ferocious raised up from his knee And bowed and departed quite bland. The Chinaman offered incense to his Joss And prayed for success in the fight ; While the Japanese vowed hé was not at a loss To do his poor rival up tight. ‘The Chinaman donned bow-and- arrow and gong, And put ona bamboo-wove shirt ; While the Japanese dressed in an armor-plate strong, And purchased a Gatling-gun squirt. The Chinaman swung his bright steel snickersnee, While the Japanese nowise was slow; And the battle waged on, most bloody to see, And the gore did run and flow. When at last, by a stroke of his bright, sharp sword, The Japanese ended the fray And left his rival for the maid he adored, But stopped at a bath on the way. At the door of her house he was met by her ma, Who cried till the tears swell- ed her lids : “My own darling daughter's eloped with the pa Of ten Methodistic young kids.” And the Japanese saw in the distance afar The faithless young maid of his choice, Cavorting about with the newly- wed “paw” Of those ten Methodistic young boys. LOVE'S LABOR ’S LOST. A JAPANESE IDYL. comicbooks.com