Art of the Modern Era | Late 19th–first half of 20th century
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Reading (detail), By Asai Chū, Meiji era, 1902 (Gift of Mr. Takano Tokiji)
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 18
December 1, 2020 (Tue) - February 14, 2021 (Sun)Drastic changes in the late 19th century created new challenges for artists. The samurai government that had strictly regulated contact with the outside world collapsed in a civil war. Japan's new leaders announced the start of the Meiji era (1868–1912), engaging with the world and reforming their nation to be more like “the West” (mainly Europe and the United States).
These leaders soon realized that works produced in Japan were not seen as “fine art” in the West. Artisans often mounted paintings on sliding doors and folding screens, but this practice made them look like furniture to Europeans and Americans. Japan's ceramics, lacquerware, metalwork, and textiles were also labeled as “decorative art” rather than “fine art.”
In response, artistic traditions were changed to meet Western standards. Japan's leaders established schools of fine art, organized national exhibitions, and urged artists to participate in world fairs. They intended to show the world that Japan was a “modern” nation with sophisticated arts and culture. The works on display reflect how Japanese artists met these challenges.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Apostasy | By Kobayashi Kokei (1883–1957) | Taishō era, 1914 | A-10546 | On exhibit through December 25, 2020 | ||
| Highlight | Music Recital | By Shimazaki Ryū'u (1865–1937) | Meiji era, 1907 | Gift of the artist, A-1387 | On exhibit from January 2, 2021 | ||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Eight Views of the Xiao and Xiang Rivers | By Yokoyama Taikan (1868–1958) | Taishō era, 1912 | A-10507 | On exhibit through December 25, 2020 | |
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Scene from the Noh Play "Yoroboshi" | By Shimomura Kanzan (1873–1930) | Taishō era, 1915 | A-10508 | On exhibit from January 2, 2021 | |
| Highlight | Reading | By Asai Chū (1856–1907) | Meiji era, 1902 | Gift of Mr. Takano Tokiji, A-12037 | |||
| Highlight | Princess Shakuntala and King Dushyanta | By Sato Chōzan (1888–1963) | Taishō era, 1916 | C-1502 | |||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Eagle | By Suzuki Chōkichi (1848–1919) | Meiji era, 1892 | Gift of Japan Delegate Office for World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, E-13034 | ||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Large Vase with a Plum Tree | By Miyagawa Kōzan I (1842–1916) | Meiji era, 1892 | Gift of Japan Delegate Office for World's Columbian Exposition, G-139 | ||
| Large Flower Vase with the Samurai Minamoto Raikō at Mt. Ōe | By Yokoyama Yazaemon (1845–1903) | Meiji era, 1872 | Gift of the Bureau for the Vienna World Exposition, E-13012 |