Lord Minamoto Yoritomo Captures Takadate Castle in His Conquest of Mutsu Province (Minamoto Yoritomo ko Oshu seibatsu Takadachi no shojo o koraku su), and View of the Coast of Mutsu Province (Oshu kaigan ichiran) 1868

This is a woodblock print created by Utagawa Kuniteru, depicting Lord Minamoto Yoritomo's conquest. Flags emblazoned with symbols flutter vibrantly, marking territory and allegiance. The most prominent is the chrysanthemum, or kiku, a symbol deeply intertwined with Japanese imperial identity. In this print, the chrysanthemum signifies power and legitimacy, harking back to its adoption by Emperor Go-Daigo in the 14th century. Yet, the motif's journey extends far beyond Japan. Consider its earlier iterations in ancient Egypt, where similar floral designs symbolized the sun and divine power. The subconscious appeal of such symbols lies in their capacity to evoke associations of authority and cultural identity, deeply embedded in the collective psyche. This motif surfaces and resurfaces, charged with historical weight, each time carrying echoes of past meanings into new contexts.