Procession of a Daimyo c. 1681 - 1684

Hishikawa Moronobu created this woodblock print, "Procession of a Daimyo," which now resides at the Art Institute of Chicago. Here, we observe a high-ranking feudal lord, or daimyo, journeying with his retinue. The procession itself—a tableau of hierarchy and order—echoes rituals seen across cultures. The daimyo, mounted on horseback, is a symbol of authority, reminiscent of equestrian statues of Roman emperors or medieval knights. Note the musical instruments. Drums and flutes are more than mere entertainment; they mark status, dictating the pace and rhythm of the procession. This can be compared to the use of music and ceremonial instruments used in ancient Egyptian processions, or the marching bands used in twentieth-century military parades. In these examples, rhythm serves to project power and control the masses. The procession, a motif echoing through time, underscores our deep-seated need for order and spectacle. The artist taps into our collective memory, engaging us in a psychological drama played out on the streets of Edo-period Japan.