Page 11 - JAPAN THE SHAPING OFDAIMYO CULTURE 1185-1868

S INCE THE 1950S, THE AGENCY FOR CULTURAL AFFAIRS HAS

endeavored
to
the
further
culture and history, through understanding of Japanese
art exhibitions held
at mu-
seums throughout the United States. The first such exhibition, in 1951,
was held in San Francisco; in 1953 another exhibition traveled to several
cities, including New York and Boston. Exhibitions of Japanese art orga-
nized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs have included painting, sculp-
ture, applied arts, calligraphy, and archaeology.
Japan: The Shaping ofDaimyo Culture 1185-1868, initiated at the
1983 summit meeting between our two countries and co-organized with
the Japan Foundation, explores through art the culture created by the
warriors of medieval and early modern Japan. From the end of the
twelfth century, the warrior class, newly risen holders of political author-
ity, developed cultural traditions inherited from the court, absorbing
influences from China, including Zen Buddhism, resulting in the cul-
tural legacy of the Kamakura and Muromachi periods. Later, the evolu-
tion of early modern culture in the Edo period resulted from the
participation of both the daimyo and the merchant class.
The works of art gathered here reflect the active role of the
warriors in the development of an important part of Japanese cultural
history. The Agency for Cultural Affairs has planned and coordinated
the realization of this complex project, and negotiated the loans that
have made the exhibition possible. Although many exhibitions of Japa-
nese art have traveled to the United States, none parallels Japan: The
Shaping of Daimyo Culture 1185-1868 in terms of quality and quantity,
and in its distinctive theme.
We hope that American visitors to the exhibition will gain a bet-
ter understanding of the cultural traditions of Japan, and of the physical
and spiritual qualities that distinguish Japanese art. We believe that this
exhibition will contribute to the future growth of cultural relations be-
tween our two countries.
In conclusion, I would like to express my appreciation to J. Carter
Brown, director of the National Gallery, and the entire staff of the Gal-
lery, as well as the many other people in the United States and Japan, for
the great efforts made in realizing the exhibition. Special thanks are due
to many generous lenders in Japan who agreed to part with their trea-
sures for the duration of the exhibition, as well as to the Japanese Minis-
try for Foreign Affairs and the Japanese Embassy.

Hiroshi Ueki
Commissioner for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan

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