Abstract: This article is dedicated to the visual state symbols of Japan of the late XIX century (national flag, personal seal of the emperor, order and medal of honor, and military insignia). The aforementioned symbols are viewed as the attributes of the status. First institutionalized graphic symbols in the history of the country have emerged under the influence of European culture and actualized elements of the ”old” Japanese culture, primarily  from the emblems “mon” used to decorate and identify an individual or a family. This article explores the mechanisms of their emergence, as well as the mechanisms of evolution and introduction into the cultural environment based on the material of print mass-market production (postcards and Ukiyo-e woodblock prints). The author’s main contribution consists in comprehensive analysis of the state symbols of Japan of the late XIX century as the attributes of the status, which has been conducted for the first time. The flag, order and emblem of the emperor were used to demonstrate their direct affiliation to the department, as an attribute of a festive event, or indicate their authority. The research also employed postcards as a rarely used source for studying political symbols, or used in the context of ideology alone. The visual images of print production illustrate the reality of using state symbols, as well as within the framework of artistic techniques expand their use as the symbols.

Abstract: This article examines the visual representation in politically themed postcards of Meiji period (1868-1912). The cards were brought to Japan by the new cultural policy of the government in the late XIX century and implementation of the regular postal service. Certain plots associated with political activity became the cultural mirror of that era and its transformation. Postcards carried out not only propagandistic function, but also communicative and aesthetic, and thus obtained a range of attributable artistic techniques. The author applies the methods of classification based on the visual representation of images, as well as inductive analysis of the acquired data. Political plots of the postcards of Meiji era are often analyzed in the context of propaganda at the time of military conflicts. Other aspects of visual component remain virtually unexplored. This research classifies and analyzes visual representations of the elite and their symbols in illustrations of the postcards from the perspective of cultural transformation during this period.

Abstract: This research examines the transformation of symbolism and use of the visual family emblems (Mon) in Japanese culture of the late XIX century. The new era of Meiji marked the beginning of a new level in foreign policy and simultaneously the search for the objects of national identification in the past. Many cultural traditions of feudal time passed into history, except those transformed for this period. Mon, emerged in the feudal era, resemble the process of cultural transformation in the society of that time. The author applies the method of comparison and generalization in comparing the traditions associated with Mon of the feudal time and modern time. The scientific novelty consists in examination of the use and changes in the symbolism of Japanese heraldry of the late XIX century. This period became transitional towards the “mass” culture of the XX century. The emblems Mon for the first time received legislative recognition, regulated display system, and contributed to the creation Japanese system of awards, although faded its previous meaning of private emblems.

Abstract: The Meiji era (1868-1912), since 1875, marks the establishment of the modern award system of orders and medals following the European example. Orders and medals become the method of representation of the power of new elites and a new cultural phenomenon. For ornamentation of the awards are used the symbols and images known from the religious plots, mythological legends, literature and painting. Particular emphasis is put on the imperial symbolism, through which were translated the ideas of military might and advanced country.  The conducted research is structured on the theoretical methods: culturological analysis, and comparison of themes based on the acquired information. The following conclusions were made: orders and medals became one of the forms of representation of the new Japanese elite; the old-time religious and mythological plots were realized through visual ornamentations of the awards; main attention was dedicated to symbols associated with imperial power; this became the new cultural element of social life.