The 88th Exhibits, The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan
Reviewing Modern Ceramics – Meiji, Taisho, and Early Showa Eras

June 8 (Tue.) – September 5 (Sun.), 2021

1st term: June 8 – July 18

2nd term: July 22 – September 5

on Mondays and Fridays, except for National Holidays on July 23, August 9.

on preparation periods for the 2nd term (July 19 – July 21).

on August 10.

  A majority of the ceramic works in the Sannomaru Shōzōkan collection were created during the Meiji to Showa periods. It is a collection in which one can review the main stream of our country's modern ceramics, including not only works that were presented as gifts to the Imperial Court from production areas throughout Japan, but also works by famous ceramists which were purchased at exhibitions, etc.

  A significant feature in modern Japanese ceramics, is the newly found artistic value of ceramic works as ornaments for western interiors or exhibitions, instead of the practical purposes of ceramics up to the Edo period, such as for tea ceremonies and everyday receptacles. The ceramic works of the Meiji period were exported as one of Japan's main products, under the government policy encouraging new industries. It was a time when international expositions were held in various western countries, and the trend of Japan taste called “Japonism” was at its height. However, around the 1900's, ceramic export declined along with the end of Japonism, and new goals were aimed for in western designs and studies of Chinese and Korean techniques. From the Taisho to early Showa periods, ceramic artists of the new generation appeared, who emphasized displaying their individuality, and established the foundation of post-war ceramics.

  This exhibition introduces the superior modern ceramic works with this kind of history, which were passed down in the Imperial Court, grouping them according to various themes.

(1) The following visitors are requested to refrain from entering the museum:

• ･ Visitors who have cold symptoms such as fever, cough, sneeze, or a runny nose
• ･ Visitors who do not feel well
• ･ Visitors who consulted a doctor or taken medicine in the last 14 days because of a fever or cold symptoms within 14 days
• ･ Visitors who have traveled in the last 14 days in any region or country where COVID-19 is spreading

(2) Please sterilize your hands and fingers

(3) Please wear a mask during your visit. If you feel the urge to cough, sneeze, etc. cover your mouth with a handkerchief, mask, or your sleeve.

(4) Visitors’ temperature will be taken prior to entering the museum.

(5) Please keep conversation with others in the gallery to a minimum to prevent infectious aerosols.

(6) Please maintain appropriate distances (approx. 1.5 m) with other visitors while viewing.

(7) We may restrict the number of visitors in the gallery when crowded, and request visitors to wait a while before entering.

(8) Visitors who cough violently or have other cold symptoms may be requested to leave the gallery.

(9) If you feel ill during your visit, please speak to our staff for assistance.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.