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Japan’s seclusion came to an end in the 1850s, and the country returned to direct imperial rule in 1868. The new Emperor Meiji (1852–1912) encouraged rapid modernisation along western lines.

Members of the British and Japanese royal and imperial families soon made their first diplomatic visits. Among them was Queen Victoria’s son, Prince Alfred – the first foreign royal visitor to Japan. Imperial gifts of the highest quality – such as swords, textiles and screen paintings – entered the Royal Collection for the first time.

As artists began to travel between the two nations, Japanese craftspeople displayed metalwork and enamel at international exhibitions with considerable success. Works by them and by Imperial Household Artists were choice gifts for British jubilees and coronations.

Royal Encounters

Members of the British Royal Family made their first visits to Japan in the 19th century

Folding Screen Paintings

A pair of folding screen paintings sent to Queen Victoria as a diplomatic gift

Arms and Armour

Impressive gifts evoking ancient samurai power and culture

Furniture

Ornate cabinets from the late-nineteenth century

Metalwork

Following a prohibition on carrying swords in the 1870s, metalworkers turned to decorative arts