Main Gate of the Second Exposition at Tokyo_

The Second Industrial Exposition of 1881, held in Ueno Park, was one of Meiji Japan's grandest efforts to showcase domestic manufacturing and technology. Kiyochika's May 1881 nishiki-e documents the monumental main gate erected for the exposition — a Western-style archway decorated with bunting and surrounded by crowds in both traditional and Western dress. The print captures the Meiji government's ambitious use of international exposition culture as a vehicle for demonstrating Japan's modernisation to both domestic and foreign audiences.