Kobayashi Kiyochika (1847~1915), a former retainer of the shogunate, personally experienced the monumental transition from the late Edo period to the Meiji era. Consequently, his Nishiki-e paintings (brocade pictures) reveal a keen sensitivity to the changing times. He was known for his early incorporation of Western styles, particularly his skillful use of light and shadow. He stands as a pivotal figure bridging the gap between ukiyo-e (woodblock prints) and modern printmaking.

The First Sino-Japanese War was a golden period of prolific war print production, and Kiyochika's work reached another peak during this time. He created nearly a hundred war prints between 1894 and 1895. This particular print depicts Japanese troops occupying a hill, overlooking a burning city with thick smoke billowing into the sky. The bandits refers to Taiwanese militia. The presence of coconut and banana trees in the foreground, which are not native to Hsinchu, suggests an imaginative portrayal of a tropical southern land.