Artwork

米国グラント氏御通行之繁栄|Splendor of the Procession of General Grant from America (Beikoku Guranto-shi go tsūkō no han'ei)

米国グラント氏御通行之繁栄|Splendor of the Procession of General Grant from America (Beikoku Guranto-shi go tsūkō no han'ei) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Toyohara Kunichika. It dates from 1879 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Rendered in ink and color on paper, the work captures a moment of international diplomacy through the lens of Edo-period printmaking.

Created in 1879 by Toyohara Kunichika, this triptych woodblock print depicts the ceremonial procession of Ulysses S. Grant during his visit to Japan. Rendered in ink and color on paper, the work captures a moment of international diplomacy through the lens of Edo-period printmaking. It is part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it stands as a rare visual record of 19th-century Japanese engagement with Western figures.

Subject & Meaning

The scene portrays General Grant as a dignified, shadowed figure flanked by attendants, his presence marked by symbolic flags: the American stars and stripes alongside Japan’s rising sun. The bustling street behind him, filled with onlookers and lantern-lit architecture, conveys public reverence and national pride. The composition frames Grant not as a conqueror but as a guest, reflecting Japan’s deliberate effort to project openness and cultural sophistication during its modernization.

Technique & Style

Kunichika employed bold outlines, flat planes of color, and simplified forms to convey motion and density within the crowd. Deep blues dominate the sky, contrasting with vivid red lanterns and banners that draw the eye. The figures are rendered with minimal detail, emphasizing their collective presence over individual identity. This stylistic choice aligns with ukiyo-e traditions while adapting to the demands of depicting a contemporary, foreign subject.

History & Provenance

The print was produced shortly after Grant’s 1879 tour of Japan, a diplomatic mission that symbolized growing ties between the U.S. and Meiji-era Japan. As a popular subject in print culture, Grant’s visit inspired multiple commercial depictions. This triptych was likely distributed as a commemorative item, circulating among urban audiences eager to witness global events through accessible art. Its preservation in the Met reflects its historical significance as a cultural artifact.

Context

In the late 1870s, Japan was actively redefining its global identity after centuries of isolation. The reception of Grant—a revered Civil War general and former U.S. president—was carefully staged to signal Japan’s alignment with Western powers. Kunichika’s depiction, while rooted in traditional print aesthetics, responded to new demands for visual narratives that bridged domestic and international themes, merging national pride with foreign admiration.

Legacy

The print remains a key example of how Japanese artists interpreted and mediated Western influence during the Meiji period. Unlike later, more overtly Westernized imagery, it retains the formal language of ukiyo-e while addressing contemporary geopolitics. It offers insight into how Japan visually negotiated modernity, using familiar artistic conventions to frame unfamiliar global figures with dignity and ceremony.