[Hugh]

Many of us are familiar with the Second Sino-Japanese War, it largely unfolded as part of the Second World War. But, there was an earlier war, in 1894-5. 

Following Japanese advances on all fronts, the Treaty of Shinmonoseki brought hostilities to an end. China recognized the independence of Korea and ceded the Liaodong Peninsula, Taiwan and Penghu islands to Japan - along with 200 million taels of silver. Russia, Germany and France, however, intervened and brokered a new deal in which Japan gave up Liaodong for an additional 30 million taels of silver from the Qing government. Korea became a protectorate of Japan after the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05) and the occupied Korea was annexed by Japan in 1910.

On August 1, 1895, Japan issued four stamps on the one year anniversary of the declaration of war featuring two top military leaders.

Stamps:
Japan - Series: Victory in Chinese-Japanese War
Issued: August 1, 1895

General Yoshihisa Kitashirakawa
2s Rose
Sc. 87
5s Deep ultramarine
Sc. 88

       

Field Marshall Akihito Arisugawa
2s Rose
Sc. 89
5s Deep ultramarine
Sc. 90