The royal and imperial families of Britain and Japan have enjoyed a dynamic relationship for over four centuries. Exchanging diplomatic gifts has been central to this interaction, and many of the outstanding works of art presented are replete with symbolism. From the 16-petalled imperial chrysanthemum, to cranes, phoenixes and the ‘three-friends-of-winter’ motif, emblems have been carefully selected to express political and personal friendship.

This lecture will explore how courtly gift-giving drew on ancient symbols to forge new cultural links. It will examine the role of the Japanese landscape, East Asian mythology and European heraldry in giving visual form to courtly goodwill.

Featuring unique works such as a scroll box embellished with Prince of Wales’s feathers, and a silver drum engraved with the Japanese chrysanthemum and British rose, the talk will shed light on how courtly closeness was visualised through signs and symbols.

The Royal Collection:

The Royal Collection is one of the largest and most important art collections in the world, and one of the last great European royal collections to remain intact. Comprising almost all aspects of the fine and decorative arts and running to more than a million objects, the Collection is a unique and valuable record of the personal tastes of kings and queens over the past 500 years. The Royal Collection is held in trust by The King as Sovereign for his successors and the nation.  It is not owned by him as a private individual.

About the contributors

Rachel Peat

Rachel Peat is Assistant Curator of Non-European Works of Art at Royal Collection Trust. Her role encompasses over 13,000 works of art from across the globe, which today furnish 13 current and historic royal residences. She is editor of Japan: Courts and Culture (2020), the first publication dedicated to Japanese material in the Royal Collection, and curator of the exhibition of the same name at The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, open until 26 February 2023.