LONDON.- The Royal Collection contains one of the finest holdings of Japanese works of art in the western world, significant for both the unique provenance and the exceptional quality of the objects.

For the first time, highlights from across the collection are brought together in the publication Japan: Courts and Culture, which tells the story of three centuries of diplomatic, artistic and cultural exchange between Britain and Japan.

Featuring new research on previously unpublished works, the book showcases the unparalleled craftsmanship behind rare examples of porcelain, lacquer, armour, embroidery, metalwork and works on paper, and explores the local materials, techniques and traditions involved in their creation.

Stunning photography illustrates a royal narrative never before documented in a publication, as the relationship between the two ‘island nations’ develops from first encounters and early trade to diplomatic engagement and modern partnership. Highlights include one of the first two samurai armours to arrive on British soil, sent by Shōgun Tokugawa Hidetada to James I in 1613, and the future King George V’s first-hand account of having his arms tattooed with a dragon and a tiger on a visit to Japan as a teenager in 1881.

Exquisite imperial gifts depicted in the book range from an embroidered folding screen sent to Queen Victoria by the Emperor Meiji to mark her Diamond Jubilee in 1897, to a cosmetic box by the great lacquer artist Shirayama Shōsai, presented to Queen Elizabeth II by the Emperor Shōwa (Hirohito) on the occasion of her Coronation in 1953.

Japan: Courts and Culture accompanies the exhibition of the same name, which will open at The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, at a date to be confirmed.

Arita, Hizen Province, Pair of hexagonal jars and covers 1670-90. Porcelain painted in ‘Kakiemon-style’ with overglaze enamel colours and overglaze gold, H (overall) 31.5 cm, 31.5 cm, (jar only) 26.9 cm, 26.9 cm (whole object), RCIN 1094. Probably acquired by Mary II. Photo: Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2019.

Arita, Hizen Province (porcelain), France (mounts), Jar and cover, 1690-1720 (porcelain), 1780-1820 (mounts). Porcelain with moulded relief decoration and painted in underglaze blue, overglaze enamel and gold, mounted in gilt bronze, 42.5 x 21.0 x 23.0 cm (whole object), RCIN 39239. Purchased for George IV in 1820. Photo: Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2019.

Arita, Hizen Province, Pair of pastille burners in the form of tortoises burners: 1680-1700, mounts: 1700-50. Porcelain decorated with brown and blue glazes, mounted in gilt bronze, 25.0 x 21.7 x 15.0 cm (whole object), RCIN 4961. Almost certainly acquired by George IV. Photo: Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2019.

Kyoto, Mounted Vessel, vase: 1700-1775, mounts: 1750-1775. Buff stoneware, overglaze enamel with gold, gilt bronze mounts, 29.9 x 14.4 x 10.2 cm (whole object). RCIN 100937.Probably acquired by George IV. Photo: Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2019.

Akatsuka Jitoku, Box and cover, c.1900-07. Black, gold and silver lacquer, with inlays of mother-of-pearl, horn and shell, on wood, 20.8 x 25.1 x 16.85 cm (whole object), RCIN 33967. Presented to Queen Mary by the Meiji emperor and Empress Sho-ken (1849–1914) of Japan as a coronation gift in June 1911. Photo: Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2019.

Shirayama Shōsai (1853-1923), Lacquer box decorated with a heron early twentieth century. Black, gold and silver lacquer on wood, 23.0 x 27.5 x 33.3 cm (whole object), RCIN 39503. Sent to Queen Elizabeth II by the Emperor Shōwa on the occasion of her Coronation, 2 June 1953. Photo: Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2019.

Iwai Yozaemon (Active 1585-1610), Armour (dōmaru) 1580 - 1610. Iron, gilt-copper alloy, shakudō, lacquer, silk, horsehair, deerskin, 161.0 × 72.0 × 70.5 cm (overall, approx., when mounted) (whole object), RCIN 71611.Sent to James I by Shōgun Tokugawa Hidetada, 1613. Photo: Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2019. 

Myōchin Nobuie (c.1504-54), Armour (Dōmaru) 1537 - 1850. Iron, lacquer, shakudō, gilt copper, gold filigree, enamel, silk, brocade, leather, doe-skin, horsehair, bear fur, 147.0 x 80.0 x 55.0 cm (whole object), RCIN 61765. Presented to Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh by the Emperor Meiji, 22 September 1869. Photo: Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2019.