Illustration of the Silver Wedding Celebration (Ginkon daiten gishiki no zu)

The first event within the royal family that was publicized as an occasion to be celebrated by the entire nation was the 25th wedding anniversary of the Meiji Emperor and Empress in 1894, the “silver anniversary” according to the European tradition that was now adopted in Japan. In a formal ceremony at the palace, the ministers of state offer their congratulations to the couple. As was usual for such formal occasions, the Empress is dressed in the traditional costume of the Japanese court, while the Emperor wears a military uniform just as a European monarch would.  To show deference, the artist has depicted a fine bamboo blind in front of the faces of the emperor and empress, although he has made the covering nearly transpaent.