Meiji: Splendours of Imperial Japan (1868–1912)

Musée national des arts asiatiques Guimet, Paris

NOW CLOSED

View of the French quarter of Yokohama (detail; 1872), Utagawa Kuniteru II. Photo: Thierry Ollivier; © RMN-GP (MNAAG, Paris)

As Japan rapidly modernised during the Meiji era, its art also underwent a revolution. This display of more than 350 works, from lacquer panels to cloisonné enamels, reveals how artists used new media to meet – or to resist – the Imperial demand for a bold national imagery. Find out more about the Meiji exhibition from the Musée Guimet’s website.

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The Emperor Mutsuhito

The Emperor Mutsuhito (1873), Kuichi Uchida. Paris, musée Guimet – musée national des Arts asiatiques

View of the French quarter of Yokohama

View of the French quarter of Yokohama (1872), Utagawa Kuniteru II. Photo: Thierry Ollivier; © RMN-GP (MNAAG, Paris)

Incense burner in the form of a falcon, Sano Takachika

Incense burner in the form of a falcon (c. 1890), Sano Takachika. © The Khalili Collections of Japanese Art

Ryoshibako suzurabiko Shibata Zeshin

Ryoshibako (document box) and suzurabiko (writing box) (c. 1860–70), Shibata Zeshin. © The Khalili Collections of Japanese Art

Vase decorated with birds and flowers (c. 1890–1900), Hayashi Kodenji.

Vase decorated with birds and flowers (c. 1890–1900), Hayashi Kodenji. Photo: Michael Urtado; © RMN-GP (MNAAG, Paris)