The Museum Collection currently consists of approximately 4,500 works of Kyoto modern art comprising Japanese paintings, Western-style paintings, sculpture, prints, crafts, and calligraphy. In particular, the Collection includes masterpieces representative of Japanese painting made by Kyoto artists between the Meiji and Showa periods, making it one of the leading collections of such works in Japan.<\/p>\n
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Kyoto lacquerware has been passed down over centuries since the Heian period. This special display traces the evolution of Kyoto lacquer artistry from the modern era to the post-war period. During the Meiji and Taisho periods, Kyoto lacquerware preserved traditional techniques and designs dating back to the Edo period, while also embracing Western-inspired designs and returning to pre-modern Japanese art forms, such as those of the Rinpa school. In the early Showa period, modern lacquerware that harmonized with contemporary lifestyles emerged, and a unique aesthetic blending tradition and modernity was sought. After World War II, new forms of expression transcending the conventions of lacquerware were explored, and amidst the integration of other materials and innovative forms that departed from functionality, Kyoto lacquerware underwent a major transformation.<\/p>\n
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In modern Kyoto lacquerware, creativity responsive to the sensibilities of the times has been layered upon ancient traditions. This exhibition unravels the various forms of Kyoto lacquerware born at the intersection of tradition and innovation. <\/p>\n
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