Procession of a Daimyo c. 1681 - 1684

"Procession of a Daimyo" is a woodblock print made by Hishikawa Moronobu during the Edo period, a time when Japan was undergoing significant socio-political changes, which profoundly influenced its artistic expressions. Moronobu's work provides a lens through which to examine the rigid social hierarchies of the time. This print depicts the entourage of a Daimyo, a powerful feudal lord. The solemn faces and the ordered march reflect the importance of status, duty, and public image in the lives of the samurai class. The figures’ bare feet are in marked contrast to their status, and this may speak to an element of required humility. Does this artwork maintain traditional representations or develop alternative narratives? The procession is so regimented, but the artist subtly hints at individuality in the faces of each samurai. Through Moronobu’s sensitive portrayal of the Daimyo's procession we can glimpse the complexities of identity within the strict confines of Edo society.