Leden van het Japanse gezantschap, 1862 1862

This is a wood engraving from 1862 by the Monogrammist GR, depicting members of a Japanese delegation. Observe the figures adorned in traditional garments, each detail laden with symbolism. The swords these men carry, more than mere weapons, are potent emblems of their status and honor. Consider the katana, its curved blade echoing the cyclical nature of existence—destruction and renewal. You will find the symbol of the sword in ancient Mycenaean imagery or Norse sagas. The garb of the upper figure—the flowing robes—speaks to the refined sensibilities of the court. This is not just fabric but a symbolic language that transcends geography and resurfaces in unexpected corners of the world. The motif reappears across cultures—Byzantine, Persian, and beyond. The delegation presented here is steeped in cultural significance, its echoes resonating through history.