Art of the Modern Era | Late 19th–first half of 20th century
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Taking Aim
By Soyama Sachihiko (1859–92), Meiji era, 1890Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 18
January 27, 2026 (Tue) - April 19, 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 | Plum Blossoms and Lotus Flowers | By Ōchi Shōkan (1882–1958) | Taishō era, 1920 | Gift of Mr. Fukami Kichinosuke, A-12113 | On exhibit through March 8, 2026 | ||
| Highlight | Taking Aim | By Soyama Sachihiko (1859–92) | Meiji era, 1890 | A-1460 | |||
| Highlight | Woman | By Ogiwara Morie (1879–1910) | Mold: Meiji era, 1910; cast: Heisei era, 2010 | C-1881 | |||
| Highlight | Seated Horse | By Ryūbundō Yasunosuke IV (1816–1884) | Meiji era, 1873 | Gift of the artist, E-13008 | |||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Footed Bowl with Crabs | By Miyagawa Kōzan (1842–1916) | Meiji era, 1881 | Exhibited at the second National Industrial Exhibition, G-105 | ||
| 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 |