A [nishiki-e](/glossary/nishiki-e) [triptych](/glossary/triptych) from Meiji 23 (1890) depicting the opening session of the Imperial Diet — the newly established parliament created by the Meiji Constitution of 1889, which convened for the first time in November 1890. The first session of the Diet was a landmark event in Japanese political history, and Chikanobu's documentary image captures the ceremonial aspects of parliamentary life: the formal dress of the assembled representatives, the architecture of the Diet building, and the protocols of constitutional government in action.
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
Session of the National Diet was created by Toyohara Chikanobu (豊原周延) in 1890 (Meiji 23).
Session of the National Diet depicts urban scenes, figures, and architecture.
Session of the National Diet measures 37 × 73.3 cm (Oban triptych format).