Art of the Modern Era | Late 19th–first half of 20th century
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The Hall of Dreams (detail)
By Yasuda Yukihiko, Taishō era, 1912 (On exhibit through December 7, 2025)Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 18
October 21, 2025 (Tue) - January 25, 2026 (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 Hall of Dreams | By Yasuda Yukihiko (1884–1978) | Taishō era, 1912 | A-10538 | On exhibit through December 7, 2025 | ||
| Highlight | Non-Self | By Yokoyama Taikan (1868–1958) | Meiji era, 1897 | A-166 | On exhibit from December 9, 2025 | ||
| Highlight | Night Scene at the Railway Station | By Takamura Shinpu (1876–1955) | Meiji era, 1909 | Gift of the artist, A-10048 | |||
| Highlight | Buck and Doe | By Morikawa Toen (1820–1894) | Meiji era, 1892 | Gift of the Japan Delegate Office for the World's Columbian Exposition, C-234 | |||
| Highlight | Flower Vase with Auspicious Beasts | By Katori Hotsuma (1874–1954) | Shōwa era, 20th century | Gift of the artist, E-19566 | |||
| Important Cultural Property | Plaque with Mount Fuji | By Namikawa Sōsuke (1847–1910) | Meiji era, 1893 | Gift of the Japanese Delegate's Office for the World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, G-603 | |||
| Highlight | Lidded Jar with Dragons and Waves | By Miyagawa Kōzan I (1842–1916) | Meiji–Taishō era, 19th-20th century | Gift of Mr. Ono Kazunobu, G-5884 | |||
| 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 |