The term "Mikado" refers to the historical title for the emperor of Japan, particularly during the period when the emperor held significant political power. The word itself means "the honorable gate" and symbolizes the emperor's role as a spiritual and political leader in Japanese society. In popular culture, "Mikado" is also known from the comic opera "The Mikado," created by Gilbert and Sullivan in 1885. This operetta is set in a fictional Japanese town and satirizes British politics and society through its humorous characters and engaging music.