Judge — May 4, 1895 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon depicts the collapse of Japan's imperial ambitions, likely from the post-World War I era. The towering stack on the right—labeled "EXCLUSION," "FOREIGN TRADE," and similar phrases—represents Japan's expansionist policies crumbling down. The central Asian pagoda symbolizes Japan itself. On the left, a figure labeled with Japanese imperial symbols lies defeated. The text references "I have made the way. Enter, madam!" and mentions "territory and the establishing and management of manufactures by foreigners"—suggesting Japan's forced opening to Western economic influence and foreign control. The cartoon satirizes Japan's geopolitical defeat, presenting it as a humbling comedown from imperial pretensions. The feminine "madam" likely refers to Western powers asserting dominance over Japanese sovereignty and economic autonomy.