A [triptych](/glossary/triptych) depicting the ceremony of proclaiming the Meiji Constitution on February 11, 1889 — one of the most important political events of the Meiji period, when Emperor Meiji formally granted a constitutional government to Japan. The constitution-promulgation ceremony was conducted with elaborate formality at the new Imperial Palace in Tokyo, combining traditional court protocol with the Western-influenced ceremonial appropriate to a modern constitutional monarchy. Chikanobu's documentary image captures this historic moment in the color and composition of large-format triptych printmaking.
Meiji period, dated October 10, 1896
Woodblock print in "ōban" format; ink and color on paper
Woodblock print
Woodblock print
Woodblock print
Woodblock print
1928
Color lithograph
1930
Color lithograph
1948
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Ceremony of proclaiming the constitution, triptych, 1889 was created by Toyohara Chikanobu (豊原周延).
Ceremony of proclaiming the constitution, triptych, 1889 depicts urban scenes, figures, and architecture.