Who Created the Famous Portrait of Emperor Meiji?
2026-08-22
Who Created the Famous Portrait of Emperor Meiji?
Even most Japanese people have seen the famous portrait of Emperor Meiji. But many probably do not know that the man who created it was Italian.
His name was Edoardo Chiossone (1833–1898).
Chiossone was an Italian artist and engraver who came to Japan in 1875 to work for the government's Printing Bureau. He helped Japan develop modern engraving and printing techniques used for banknotes, stamps, bonds, and official documents.
In 1888, he was given an unusual assignment: create a new official portrait of Emperor Meiji.
There was one problem. The Emperor did not want to sit for a photograph.
Chiossone therefore observed the Emperor and made sketches, eventually producing an extraordinarily realistic Conté drawing. The finished artwork was then photographed by Japanese photographer Maruki Riyō and reproduced as the official imperial portrait. Many people assumed it was an actual photograph.
That image became the familiar face of Emperor Meiji and was distributed to schools and used for official purposes throughout Japan.
An Italian artist had helped create one of the most recognizable images of modern Japan.
Sometimes the history we think we know has a surprising foreign hand behind it.
Even most Japanese people have seen the famous portrait of Emperor Meiji. But many probably do not know that the man who created it was Italian.
His name was Edoardo Chiossone (1833–1898).
Chiossone was an Italian artist and engraver who came to Japan in 1875 to work for the government's Printing Bureau. He helped Japan develop modern engraving and printing techniques used for banknotes, stamps, bonds, and official documents.
In 1888, he was given an unusual assignment: create a new official portrait of Emperor Meiji.
There was one problem. The Emperor did not want to sit for a photograph.
Chiossone therefore observed the Emperor and made sketches, eventually producing an extraordinarily realistic Conté drawing. The finished artwork was then photographed by Japanese photographer Maruki Riyō and reproduced as the official imperial portrait. Many people assumed it was an actual photograph.
That image became the familiar face of Emperor Meiji and was distributed to schools and used for official purposes throughout Japan.
An Italian artist had helped create one of the most recognizable images of modern Japan.
Sometimes the history we think we know has a surprising foreign hand behind it.
Disclaimer: I use AI as a tool to help create images and proofread my writing. However, the ideas, opinions, experiences, and messages in my posts are my own. AI does not generate my posts for me. It simply helps me present my own words and ideas more clearly.
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
Uchikura & Co., LLC.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
ABOUT THIS BLOG
I was born and raised in Japan and have spent most of my adult life in the United States. Through this blog, I share Japanese culture, language, expressions, and wisdom. My goal is not to say one culture is better, but to explore different perspectives and what we can learn from them.
Your comments are always welcome.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
Uchikura & Co., LLC.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
ABOUT THIS BLOG
I was born and raised in Japan and have spent most of my adult life in the United States. Through this blog, I share Japanese culture, language, expressions, and wisdom. My goal is not to say one culture is better, but to explore different perspectives and what we can learn from them.
Your comments are always welcome.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..