Exhibition/event has ended.
Mushi (Insects and Other Creatures) Lovers in Japan
Suntory Museum of Art
Finished
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Artists
Jakuchu Ito, Utamaro Kitagawa, Masakata Mashiyama, Bakusen Tsuchida, Kason Suzuki et al.
One of the characteristics of Japanese art is that plants, trees, flowers, and birds have been cherished since ancient times. Insects, though small in comparison, have also been an important motif. Insects include not only those classified as insects in modern times, but also small, buzzing creatures such as spiders, frogs, and snakes, which appear in stories, waka poems, and various works of art. Fireflies, bell bugs, and other chirping insects were especially beloved, and we can learn from works such as Genji-e and Ise-e that they were deeply connected to stories. In addition, the painting of flowers and insects to express good luck came from China and was highly valued in Japan for a long time from the Middle Ages, influencing many painters.
In the Edo period (1603-1867), the development of herbology, the study of old paintings, and the influence of haikai and other literary arts led to the creation of a wide variety of insect paintings that could not be categorized as herb and insect paintings. From the mid-Edo period onward, the popularity of Mushikiki (insect listening) and Hotarugari (firefly hunting) spread among the common people as a form of entertainment and eventually became an annual event in Edo (present-day Tokyo). This culture has continued into the modern era.
The Japanese culture of mushimezuru has been nurtured over a long period of time, but the Edo period, when it became popularized, can be regarded as one of the peaks of the mushimezuru culture. This exhibition focuses on the Edo period in particular, touching on the medieval and modern aspects of the "insectivorous Japanese," and reexamining the intimate relationship between people and insects.
In the Edo period (1603-1867), the development of herbology, the study of old paintings, and the influence of haikai and other literary arts led to the creation of a wide variety of insect paintings that could not be categorized as herb and insect paintings. From the mid-Edo period onward, the popularity of Mushikiki (insect listening) and Hotarugari (firefly hunting) spread among the common people as a form of entertainment and eventually became an annual event in Edo (present-day Tokyo). This culture has continued into the modern era.
The Japanese culture of mushimezuru has been nurtured over a long period of time, but the Edo period, when it became popularized, can be regarded as one of the peaks of the mushimezuru culture. This exhibition focuses on the Edo period in particular, touching on the medieval and modern aspects of the "insectivorous Japanese," and reexamining the intimate relationship between people and insects.
Schedule | Jul 22 (Sat) 2023-Sep 18 (Mon) 2023 Opening Hours Information
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| Fee | Adults ¥1500, University and High School Students ¥1000, Junior High School Students and Under free. | ||||
| Website | https://www.suntory.com/sma/exhibition/2023_3/index.html | ||||
| Venue | Suntory Museum of Art https://www.suntory.com/sma/?_ga=2.204809232.1240912437.1586917883-1626191480.1583121504 | ||||
| Location | 3F Tokyo Midtown Galleria, 9-7-4 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8643 | ||||
| Access | Direct walk from exit 8 at Roppongi Station on the Toei Oedo line, Direct walk from Roppongi Station on the Hibiya line, 3 minute walk from exit 3 at Nogizaka Station on the Chiyoda line. | ||||
| Phone | 03-3479-8600 | ||||
| Related images | Click on the image to enlarge it |
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