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: 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.

Abstract: The formation of the image of Japan nature in visual culture and transmission of this image in intercultural communication in Russia. The issue will be observed on the example of an outstanding phenomenon of modern Japanese culture - animated cartoons. It has become one of the main sources of transmission of cultural images in the "other" culture. Transmitted images of nature are significant for Japanese culture and have historical significance, especially Sakura and Mount Fudji. The problem of the research will be considered based on these examples. The study used research methods such as collection and analysis of information on the Internet, as well as abstraction. The study found that:-images of nature that are important for "their" culture are transmitted on a first-priority basis;-visual examples of art are of great importance in the dissemination of images of nature due to the "mass";-images of nature in Japan have great recognition and are related to similar ones in Russian culture.