Exhibition Outlines

One of the national projects that played a significant role in our country’s promotion of modernization, was the various expositions carried out throughout Japan. Among them, the five National Industrial Expositions held during the Meiji period, were carried out under governmental leadership, in order to promote the development of domestic industries, and to cultivate appealing objects for export. Emperor Meiji and other members of the Imperial Family visited these expositions, and exerted to encourage the domestic industries.

The National Industrial Expositions were events symbolic of the policy to promote industries, and the exhibits of art works received much attention along with the other exhibits. This is because the art and craft works at the time were considered as important products for export, because of the popularity of Japonisme. From the First National Industrial Exposition in 1877 to the Fifth in 1903, our country’s art world underwent a period of transition in techniques, adopting oil painting which was the new painting method from the West, introducing western style sculpture modeling techniques, and also new technology and mechanization in the craft divisions. Furthermore, establishment of art schools, and organizing art groups were promoted, and various exhibitions were held. Gradually the framework of the art system became formed, similar to what we are familiar with now. This short period of 25 years can be considered as the age of convulsions for art, and the works created then have become symbols of this era, and can be called Meiji art.

We hope our visitors may be able to experience the features of the art of the Meiji era through the works exhibited in National Industrial Expositions, and also take notice of the relationship between the Imperial Family and these expositions.