The king of Abyssinia faces the Ottoman sultan in a Japanese depiction of the Ottoman–Ethiopian War (1557–1589) based off Portuguese descriptions to a Momoyama period Nanban painter. [1280×963]

This Byōbu (Folding Screen) features elements of both eastern and western art typical of the early 17th century nanban style which arose under heavy Portuguese influence and is a perfect example of the relationship between art and commerce. Even a century prior the sort of cultural contact behind it’s creation would have been unimaginable for all three relevant societies. Part of “The Western kings on Horseback” (Japanese: 重要文化財　泰西王侯騎馬図屏風) series, it was once a treasured possession of the Aizu Wakamatsu Castle.