Page 13 - Edo: Art in Japan, 1615–1868

S T A T E M E N T The Agency for Cultural Affairs (Bunkacho) of the Government of Japan has presented overseas an
F R O M T H E exhibition of Japanese masterworks of art every year since 1951 to promote international cultural ex-
A G E N C Y F O R changes. This extensive program of exhibitions has been undertaken to introduce Japanese culture
C U L T U R A L to the people of other countries and thus further understanding of Japanese history and culture.

A F F A I R S Many of these exhibitions have been held in the United States. Among them., the large-scale
Japan: The Shaping o/Daimyo Culture 1185-1868 attracted a great number of visitors when it was held
at the National Gallery of Art in 1988-1989. A decade later we are honored and delighted to present
Edo: Art in Japan 1615-1868 at the National Gallery of Art in the nation's capital.
The Edo exhibition comprises paintings, prints, sculpture, and decorative arts, organized within
I 2 the framework of six themes. The first gallery of the exhibition introduces masterworks from all fields,
while the sections of the catalogue — focusing on Ornament; Samurai; Work; Religion and Festivals;
Travel, Landscape, and Nature; and Entertainment—comprehensively explore the energy and cultural
refinement of the people of the Edo period.
Superb paintings from the Rinpa, Nanga, and Shasei schools, as well as ukiyoe paintings and
prints, are displayed throughout the exhibition. The sculpture includes no and kyógen masks, portrait
sculpture, and works made by Enku and Mokujiki for use in popular Buddhism. Decorative arts include
objects made for daimyo households and for no, kabuki, and kyógen theater, displaying the finest of
Edo textile and lacquer techniques and designs, and brilliantly colored porcelains that reflect the taste
of artistic patrons of the time.
This exhibition is unprecedented in its approach and structure: It introduces the essence of
Edo culture, and its creativity at all levels of society, through a highly variegated range of art works. It
will be extremely gratifying to us if this exhibition leads to a deeper appreciation of Japanese culture.
In closing, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all those whose efforts made this
exhibition possible.

Hideki Hayashida
Commissioner, Agency for Cultural Affairs
Government of Japan