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The World of Kakiemon Porcelain

  • Image of "Large Jar with Figures, One Holding an UmbrellaImari ware, Kakiemon style, Edo period, 17th century"

    Large Jar with Figures, One Holding an Umbrella
    Imari ware, Kakiemon style, Edo period, 17th century

    Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 14
    November 11, 2025 (Tue) - February 8, 2026 (Sun)

    In the second half of the 1600s, Japanese artisans developed a new type of porcelain. Known as Kakiemon ware, it featured designs painted in vivid enamels, dominated by red, on a milky-white ground. These wares were exported in large numbers to Europe, where they were prized by aristocrats and royalty in the Netherlands, England, France, and Germany. They were valued not only for practical use but also as ornaments in mansions and palaces.

    This exhibition focuses on works in the Kakiemon style while also presenting a broader view of related objects. These include early export wares, luxurious “gold-brocade” porcelains, and Chinese reproductions of Kakiemon ware from the 1700s. We invite you to explore the world of Kakiemon ware and its ties to the wider world.

Major works in this exhibition

* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.

Octagonal Bowl with a Tiger and Bamboo ,Imari ware, Kakiemon style ,Edo period, 17th century

Large Jar with Figures, One Holding an Umbrella ,Imari ware, Kakiemon style ,Edo period, 17th century

Large Deep Bowl with Birds and Flowers ,Imari ware, Kakiemon style ,Edo period, 17th century(Important Cultural Property)

Bowl with a Dragon among Clouds ,Imari ware ,Edo period, 17th century

Dish with Karahana Flowers ,Imari ware ,Edo period, 1695

 

Pamphlet

The World of Kakiemon Porcelain

Thematic Exhibition
The World of Kakiemon Porcelain

Copies are available in the gallery during the exhibition period, while stocks last.
PDF8.5MB)