『上野第三回内国勧業 博覧会御幸之図』|Visit of the Empress to the Third National Industrial Promotional Exhibition at Ueno Park (Ueno dai sankai naikoku kangyō hakuran kai gyokō no zu)

Chikanobu employed the traditional ukiyo‑e woodblock method, layering multiple color blocks to achieve rich hues. The triptych format allows a panoramic view, while the detailed rendering of uniforms, flags, and textiles showcases the artist’s skill in combining realistic observation with decorative flair.

Printed shortly after the 1889 exhibition, the work circulated as a popular souvenir of the imperial event. It entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection in the 20th century, where it remains a representative example of Meiji‑period printmaking.

The Third National Industrial Promotional Exhibition was a state‑sponsored showcase of Japan’s industrial achievements, intended to demonstrate progress to both domestic and foreign audiences. The imperial visit, highlighted in Chikanobu’s print, reinforced the government’s narrative of modernization under the emperor’s patronage.