Art of the Modern Era | Late 19th–first half of 20th century
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Eagle, By Suzuki Chōkichi, Meiji era, 1892 (Important Cultural Property)
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 18
January 25, 2022 (Tue) - April 17, 2022 (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 | Plum Blossoms and Lotus Flowers | By Ōchi Shōkan (1882-1958) | Taishō era, 1920 | Gift of Mr. Fukami Kichinosuke, A-12113 | On exhibit through March 6, 2022 | ||
| Highlight | Stone Buddha of Datong | By Maeda Seison (1885-1977) | 1938 (Showa 13) | Gift of the artist, A-11107 | On exhibit from March 8, 2022 | ||
| Highlight | Taking Aim | By Soyama Sachihiko (1859–92) | Meiji era, 1890 | A-1460 | |||
| 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 | ||
| Plaque with Monkeys and a Mantis in Relief | By Kagawa Katsuhiro (1853–1917) | Meiji era, 1892 | Gift of Japan Delegate Office for World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, E-12754 | ||||
| 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 | |||
| Highlight | Large Dish, Rough waves, shellfish, autumn foliage, and cherry blossom design in overglaze enamel and gold | By Koransha Company; Tsuji Katsuzo | Ca. 1877 (Meiji 10) | G-296 | |||
| Large Flower Vases with Scenes of 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 |