Beyond the Court: How Rank Was Displayed in Edo Japan and Benin

Art · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Modern tennis rankings shift weekly, but historical status was often etched in stone, brass, or silk. From the elaborate hairpins of a Japanese courtesan to the coral-studded regalia of a Benin warrior, high rank was once a visual language of power, currency, and artistry that transcended the simple digital leaderboard.

In the Kingdom of Benin during the 16th and 17th centuries, rank was not a fleeting weekly update but a permanent fixture of palace life. King Esigie, who reigned from about 1504 to about 1550, utilized the influx of brass from coastal trade to commission commemorative plaques. These objects served as visual records of status, where a warrior’s rank was signaled through specific attire, such as a coral-studded cap and collar. The inclusion of a manilla—a horseshoe-shaped copper or brass ring used as currency—further highlights how economic power and social hierarchy were inextricably linked in the artistic output of the Edo period in Nigeria.

Across the globe in Japan, between 1830 and 1843, the artist Mihata Jōryū captured a different manifestation of status in the hanging scroll titled High Ranking Courtesan. Here, rank was communicated through the meticulous layering of textiles and personal grooming. The subject’s high status is immediately identifiable through her sumptuous clothing, including multiple layers of kimono and an outer coat known as an uchikake, which features a flowering plum tree design. Her elaborate hairstyle, adorned with numerous hairpins, functioned as a sophisticated visual shorthand for her position within the social order of the time.

While contemporary athletic rankings, such as those governed by the ATP and WTA, are updated every Monday or at the conclusion of major tournaments, these historical examples remind us that status has always been a curated performance. Whether through the medium of ink, color, and gold on silk, or the casting of brass, these cultures codified hierarchy into tangible objects. These artifacts do not merely depict individuals; they preserve the specific cultural markers—be it a manilla or a silk kimono—that defined who held influence and why that influence was worth documenting for posterity.

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