A Japanese scroll painting depicting Daimyo Gyorestu Ga on his Journey to the Court

Edo period, circa 1800
 

Ink and colour on paper, H. 29 x W. 380 cm
 

Depicted is the traditional procession of a Daimyo on his court journey to pay respect to the Shogũn in Edo. This Daimyo clearly was a very powerful one with two horses, two palanquins carried by four men each and a very long procession. All local Daimyo rulers were obliged to make a yearly court journey and leave behind a son or other family member at the court in Edo as a surety of their loyalty to the Shogũn.