Rising Sun 1850 - 1891

Shibata Zeshin created this painting on silk, entitled Rising Sun, in Japan during the late 19th century. What might seem like a simple image of the sun takes on additional layers of meaning when considered within the context of Japanese history. Zeshin lived through a time of immense social and political change, as Japan transitioned from a feudal society to a modern nation-state. The rising sun, a powerful symbol of national identity, was strategically used in propaganda and imagery to consolidate political power. This was particularly true during the Meiji Restoration, when the emperor was restored to power. To fully appreciate the cultural and institutional forces that influenced Zeshin's work, one must consider the socio-political context of the era, looking to historical records, official documents, and contemporary accounts. The historian’s work, therefore, becomes essential in understanding the painting’s complex interplay of aesthetics, symbolism, and political messaging.