Large Vase with a Plum Tree, By Miyagawa Kōzan I, Meiji era, 1892 (Important Cultural Property, Gift of Japan Delegate Office for World's Columbian Exposition)
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 18
October 29, 2024 (Tue) - February 2, 2025 (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 | White Fox | By Shimomura Kanzan (1873–1930) | Taishō era, 1914 | A-10516 | On exhibit through December 1, 2024 | ||
Highlight | Beautiful Sound | By Shimazaki Ryū'u (1865–1937) | Meiji era, 1907 | Gift of the artist, A-1387 | On exhibit from January 2, 2025 | ||
Highlight | Zen Priest of the Ōbaku School | By Takamura Shinpu (1876–1955) | Meiji era, 1907 | Gift of Mr. Watanabe Gi'ichi, A-10049 | |||
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 | Vase with Pine Tree and "Lingzhi" Mushrooms | By Unno Shōmin (1844–1915) | Taishō era, 1912 | Gift of the artist, E-13104 | |||
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 Vases with Scenes of the Samurai Minamoto no Raikō at Mt. Ōe | By Yokoyama Yazaemon (1845–1903) | Meiji era, 1872 | Gift of the Bureau for the Vienna World's Fair, E-13012 |