Decorative Arts from National Industrial Expositions

This year marks the 130th anniversary of Ueno Park's inauguration. National Industrial Expositions were one of the most important events that ever took place in the park during its long history. National Industrial Expositions began as a domestic version of International Expositions in 1877 (Meiji 10) and held five times until 1903. The first three were held at Ueno Park in 1877,1881 and 1890.

National Industrial Expositions were closely connected with the government's policy to increase production and promote industry (shokusan kogyo). The Tokyo National Museum (simply called "Museum" at the time), unlike its role as an art museum today, was expected to become a center for this national enterprise. During the early Meiji period the shokusan kogyo policy put stress on decorative art, which was important export item at the time, and the museum collected many works from the first and second expositions.

This display features decorative art works from the first and second National Industrial Expositions most of which were collected by the "Museum" at the time. We hope the visitors will understand the extensive changes that occurred in Japanese decorative art during the early Meiji period.