Illustrated Catalogues from the Edo Period: The Charm of Album of Birds
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"Forest Birds, Two" from Album of Birds (detail), Compiled by Hotta Masa'atsu, Copied: Edo period, 18th–19th century (On exhibit from September 18, 2024)
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 15
August 6, 2024 (Tue) - October 6, 2024 (Sun)During the Edo period (1603–1868), collecting a rage of objects became a trend. People collected all sorts of things, such as flora and fauna, textile patterns, design sketches of inrō cases, and monograms. Furthermore, they compiled relevant lists and encyclopedias to accompany the collected objects. Some of these publications included quotes and illustrations taken from documents of all ages and cultures.
This exhibition presents examples of such publications, namely illustrated catalogues, which shed light on the Edo-period culture of collecting objects. The highlight of the exhibition’s lineup is an illustrated catalogue series entitled Album of Birds.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | "Waterfowl, One" from "Album of Birds" | Compiled by Hotta Masa'atsu (1758–1832) | Copied: Edo period, 18th–19th century | QA-962-1 | On exhibit through August 25, 2024 | ||
| Highlight | "Waterfowl, Two" from "Album of Birds" | Compiled by Hotta Masa'atsu (1758–1832) | Copied: Edo period, 18th–19th century | QA-962-2 | On exhibit from August 27, 2024 through September 16, 2024 | ||
| Highlight | "Forest Birds, One" from "Album of Birds" | Compiled by Hotta Masa'atsu (1758–1832) | Copied: Edo period, 18th–19th century | QA-962-3 | On exhibit through August 25, 2024 | ||
| Highlight | "Forest Birds, Two" from "Album of Birds" | Compiled by Hotta Masa'atsu (1758–1832) | Copied: Edo period, 18th–19th century | QA-962-4 | On exhibit from September 18, 2024 | ||
| Highlight | "Mountain Birds, One" from "Album of Birds" | Compiled by Hotta Masa'atsu (1758–1832) | Copied: Edo period, 18th–19th century | QA-962-5 | On exhibit from August 27, 2024 through September 16, 2024 | ||
| Highlight | "Mountain Birds, Two" from "Album of Birds" | Compiled by Hotta Masa'atsu (1758–1832) | Copied: Edo period, 18th–19th century | QA-962-6 | On exhibit from September 18, 2024 |