Art of the Modern Era| Late 19th–first half of 20th century
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The Deity Shitsukongōshin
By Takenouchi Kyūichi (1857–1916), Meiji era, 1893, Gift of Japan Delegate Office for World's Columbian Exposition, ChicagoJapanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 18
April 22, 2025 (Tue) - July 27, 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 | Flowering Plants of Summer | By Sakai Dōitsu | Meiji era, 1893 | A-9870 | On exhibit through June 8, 2025 | ||
| Highlight | Master Goryū | By Yokoyama Taikan (1868–1958) | Meiji era, 1912 | A-10531 | On exhibit from June 10, 2025 | ||
| Portrait of Madame H | By Wada Eisaku (1874–1959) | Meiji era, 1911 | Gift of Mr. Hatano Mototake, A-11805 | ||||
| Highlight | The Deity Shitsukongōshin | By Takenouchi Kyūichi (1857–1916) | Meiji era, 1893 | Gift of Japan Delegate Office for World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, C-235 | |||
| Highlight | Planter for Japanese Sweet Flag with a Scene of Sailors Retrieving a Sacred Jewel | By Yamao Tomoyuki | Meiji era, 1873 | Gift of the Bureau for the Vienna World Exposition, E-13009 | |||
| Highlight | 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 |