Pejorative Images of Chinese Subjects

In contrast to how Japanese subjects are depicted, Chinese subjects are drawn to emphasize negative impresions to the audience. The Karuta cards deliberately attempt to "brainwash" the card plyers into the generalized concept of "Japanese is justice and Chinese is evil". Since most of the card players were children, instilling the idea through Karuta cards was an effective way to make them think that China is the evil one in this war.

For instance, this card reads "Solidified by lies, the army of the enemy".

Three Chinese soldiers are discussing what evil things they do; one says, "It is good to lie about everything", and other says, "Deceptive attacks should be done".

All three Chinese soldiers are drawn with unpleasant facial features, such as distorted mouth, big nose with dots and wrinkles, untrimmed whiskers, and eyebrows which give mean impressions and sarcastic look.

In addition to their evil thoughts and foxy actions, Chinese soldiers are claimed to be coward when it comes to confronting Japanese soldiers.  

This card reads "Overcome with fear, a lost battle".

The picture describes two Chinese soldiers escaping from the Japanese soldier, Tecchan. The Chinese soldiers have looks with extreme fear towards the Japanese, screaming "Tecchan is coming!", "Oh no!"

Military Country Comic Karuta Card 012

This card reads "Doesn't hide your behind, sorghum fields".

A Chinese soldier is trying to hide from Japanese soldiers by putting his head into bushes, while failing to hide his hip. He says "I will be fine as long as I am hiding in here."

Hiding head while not hiding hip is a reference from an old Japanese saying, which means that one hides only one part of the bad things assuming that all flaws are hidden.

Chinese soldiers are extremely coward that even little animals are threats to them.

This card reads "Chibikou the brave fight, one big feat".

Chibiko is biting and scaring off a Chinese soldier. The picture shows how cowardly the Chinese soldier is, because he is even scared of a dog. In contrast, Chibiko is very brave because he is a Japanese dog. 

This card reads "Shrinking, even if they only see a kite".

Two Chinese soldiers are getting scared by a kite, thinking that it was a Japanese military aircraft. One of them is posing as a typical coward, covering his head and screaming "Oh no, that is a Japanese aircraft!" The other one tells him "It's just a kite".

Again, it indicates that Chinese soldiers are afraid of Japanese soldiers.

This card reads "Consulting on deserting, in the enemy's camp".

Three Chinese soldiers are discussing how they are going to escape from Japanese soldiers. One says "we should run away somewhere", and another says "I agree".

It shows that the Chinese soldiers are not willing to confront the Japanese because they know they are going to get defeated.

Similar to the Chinese caricatures above, this one depicts Chinese soldiers captured by the Japanese, showing an intention of surrender as they put their hands up.

It reads "Leave none, the weakling soldiers, captive."

They all have fear on their face; sweating, nose running, widened eyes, and sad eyebrows. These depictions seems to include some dry humour and condescending attitude toward the Chinese. 

In the card on the right, the Chinese general is so surprised that he fell on his hips when he heard that his army got defeated. 

It reads "The general surprised, at the announcement of their loss."

He is extremely shocked by the news because he did not expect for his country to lose. He says "What!? We got defeated?!" The picture encourages Japanese card players to laugh at the Chinese general. 

At last, according to the Karuta, Chinese soldiers are indifferent about their country’s victory, lazy, and not hard working unlike the Japanese soldiers.

This card reads "The soldier asleep, the soldier in trouble".

Two Chinese soldiers are sleeping during important training. The higher officer is yelling "Hey! Wake up!" at them. In "Idealized Images of Japanese Subjects", Japanese soldiers were depicted as deligent and serious about thsir jobs. Chinese soldiers are depicted as the complete opposite.