Vivinavi : Inzai : (Japan) Inzai

Nishiki-e, a type of multicolor ukiyoe print established in the late Edo period (1603-1868), is recognized worldwide as a representative of Japanese art, achieving a high level of expression through its depictions of actors, beautiful women, and famous places. On the other hand, Nishiki-e also served as a medium for communicating events and fashions, thanks to its distribution through the countless number of ezo-shiya (picture book dealers) that existed throughout Edo (present-day Tokyo).
This media role rapidly strengthened in the late Edo period. Especially after the Tenpo Reforms, which led to the establishment of the caricature genre, some of the nishiki-e paintings of the world's affairs became major hits, surpassing the established genres such as yakusha-e (portrayals of actors) and bijinga (portrayals of beautiful women).
This exhibition presents nishiki-e depicting various aspects of the turbulent period from the late Edo period to the early Meiji period, including wars and upheavals such as the Boshin Senso (Boshin War), major earthquakes, epidemics, openings of temples and shrines that attracted many people, freak shows, and fads that drove people crazy, with an emphasis on the historical aspect of these works. The exhibition focuses on the historical aspects of these works. The publication control ordinances of the mid- late Edo period (1603-1867) prohibited the publication of works on topics and political events related to the shogunate and feudal lords, and a variety of expressions developed to circumvent the restrictions. This exhibition not only exhibits nishiki-e prints on the subject of the world's affairs in chronological order and by subject, but also introduces how they conveyed information to the public while using existing subjects as a cover.


Organized by Inter-University Research Institute for Humanities National Museum of Japanese History


[Admission]
¥1000 for adults ／ ¥500 for university students
*The general exhibition is also available.
*High school students and younger are admitted free.
*High school and university students must show their student ID.
（ The same applies to vocational school students and other students who are equivalent to high school and university students.
*Present the ticket stub and you can enter the Botanical Garden （ until 16 ： 00 ） on the same day.
Show the stub from the Botanical Garden and get a discount for the Museum on the same day.