Art of the Modern Era | Late 19th–first half of 20th century
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Old Monkey
By Takamura Kōun, Meiji era, 1893 (Gift of Japan Delegate Office for World's Columbian Exposition, Important Cultural Property)Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 18
July 29, 2025 (Tue) - October 19, 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 | The Zen Master Fenggan | By Kawanabe Kyōsai (1831–89) | Meiji era, 19th century | A-883 | On exhibit from September 9, 2025 | ||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Scenes from the Tropics: Evening | By Imamura Shikō (1880–1916) | Taishō era, 1914 | A-10525-2 | On exhibit through September 7, 2025 | |
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Old Monkey | By Takamura Kōun (1852–1934) | Meiji era, 1893 | Gift of Japan Delegate Office for World's Columbian Exposition, C-232 | ||
| Highlight | Flower Vase with "Hōsōge" Flowers and Vines | By Sekizawa Uichi (1838–93) | Meiji era, 1892 | Gift of Japan Delegate Office for World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, E-13031 | |||
| Plaque with Monkeys Playing with a Mantis | By Kagawa Katsuhiro (1853–1917) | Meiji era, 1892 | Gift of Japan Delegate Office for World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, E-12754 | ||||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Large Vase with Butterflies and Peonies | By Seifū Yohei III (1851–1914) | Meiji era, 1892 | Gift of Japan Delegate Office for World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, G-124 | ||
| 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 |