Meiji is the name for the reign of the emperor Mustsuhito (1852–1922). So this designation, meaning “enlightened rule,” refers to a 44-year-long period in which Japanese history underwent deep changes. An unprecedented time of openness, it put an end to the archipelago’s 250 years of isolation. It was quickly industrialized, adopted Western garb, and opted for a system of government based on a constitution partly inspired by the West. The Japanese roots of this major political change have long been underestimated. The Meiji period set up an “imperial system” but it is still not clear whether this policy was actually guided by the emperor or an oligarchy under the cover of his name.
Although Meiji art coincided with the fashion of Japanism, it is still poorly known and even misunderstood. The aim of this exhibition on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the promulgation of the Meiji era is to show for the first time in France the intricacy of its many tendencies.
All the images on this page by Yipaer Aierken may be used with attribution and for educational purposes.
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Introduction of the Exhibition.
Timeline of the Exhibition.
Figure 1. True Portrait of His Majesty, the Commander-in-Chief (Daigenshi heika goshin'ei)
「大元師陛下御真影」
Artist unknown, Japanese, Japanese Meiji era about 1889 (Meiji 22).
Purchased between 1985 and 1999, probably in London or Tokyo; 2000, gift of Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. (Accession Date: January 26, 2000).
Figure 2. Details from True Portrait of His Majesty, the Commander-in-Chief (Daigenshi heika goshin'ei)
「大元師陛下御真影」
Figure 3. Title: Mutsuhito, The Meiji Emperor, Artist: Uchida Kuichi (Japanese, 1844–1875), Date: 1873, Medium: Albumen silver print from glass negative with applied color. Dimensions: 25.1 x 19.5 cm (9 7/8 x 7 11/16 in.). Classification: Photographs.
Figure 4. Uchida Kuichi, Haru-ko, the Empress of Japan, 1872.
Figure 5. Title: Ryo-heika ryo-denka on-son'ei 両陛下両殿下御尊影 (Picture of Their Imperial Majesties and Their Imperial Highnesses). Description: Colour lithograph. Meiji Emperor, Empress, Crown Prince and Crown Princess gathered around a table. Producer name
Print artist: Watanabe Tadahisa (渡辺忠久)
Published by: Watanabe Tadahisa (渡辺忠久).
Print artist: Watanabe Tadahisa (渡辺忠久)
Published by: Watanabe Tadahisa (渡辺忠久).
Production date
14 June 1900.
14 June 1900.
British Museum.
Figure 6. Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892), Portraits of the Emperors of Japan and their Loyal Ministers, Japan, 1878, London, British Museum.
Figure 7. Title: 『扶桑高貴鑑』A Mirror of Japan’s Nobility: The Emperor Meiji, His Wife, and Prince Haru (Fūsō kōki kagami). Creator: Yōshū (Hashimoto) Chikanobu. Date Created: August 8th, 1887
Physical Dimensions: 14 3/4 x 29 5/8 in. (37.5 x 75.2 cm). Type: Print
Medium: Triptych of polychrome woodblock prints; ink and color on paper
Repository: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Period: Meiji period (1868–1912)
Culture: Japan
Physical Dimensions: 14 3/4 x 29 5/8 in. (37.5 x 75.2 cm). Type: Print
Medium: Triptych of polychrome woodblock prints; ink and color on paper
Repository: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Period: Meiji period (1868–1912)
Culture: Japan
Figure 8. Utagawa Kuniteru, View of the French Quarter in Yokohama, Print, 1872.
Figure 9. Title: Dai jugo dai Jingu kogo 第十五代神功皇后 (Empress Jingu Leading the Invasion of Korea)
Series: Dai-Nihon-shi ryakuzu e 大日本史略図会 (Concise Illustrated History of Great Japan).
Series: Dai-Nihon-shi ryakuzu e 大日本史略図会 (Concise Illustrated History of Great Japan).
Description:
Empress Jingu wearing Victorian-style dress and about to engrave inscription on sea-side rock with her bow; Takenouchi Sukune and some of her followers seated and observing her while others standing and keeping eye on coast; framed as if a hand-scroll. Inscribed, signed and dated.
Empress Jingu wearing Victorian-style dress and about to engrave inscription on sea-side rock with her bow; Takenouchi Sukune and some of her followers seated and observing her while others standing and keeping eye on coast; framed as if a hand-scroll. Inscribed, signed and dated.
Print artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (月岡芳年)
Published by: Morimoto Junzaburo (森本順三郎). Cultures/periods: Meiji Era. Production date: 1879 (April). Production place: Made in: Japan. Asia: Japan. Materials: paper. Technique: woodblock.
Published by: Morimoto Junzaburo (森本順三郎). Cultures/periods: Meiji Era. Production date: 1879 (April). Production place: Made in: Japan. Asia: Japan. Materials: paper. Technique: woodblock.
Figure 10. Details of Dai jugo dai Jingu kogo 第十五代神功皇后 (Empress Jingu Leading the Invasion of Korea)
Series: Dai-Nihon-shi ryakuzu e 大日本史略図会 (Concise Illustrated History of Great Japan).
Series: Dai-Nihon-shi ryakuzu e 大日本史略図会 (Concise Illustrated History of Great Japan).
Figure 11. Details of Dai jugo dai Jingu kogo 第十五代神功皇后 (Empress Jingu Leading the Invasion of Korea)
Series: Dai-Nihon-shi ryakuzu e 大日本史略図会 (Concise Illustrated History of Great Japan).
Series: Dai-Nihon-shi ryakuzu e 大日本史略図会 (Concise Illustrated History of Great Japan).
Figure 12. Details of Dai jugo dai Jingu kogo 第十五代神功皇后 (Empress Jingu Leading the Invasion of Korea)
Series: Dai-Nihon-shi ryakuzu e 大日本史略図会 (Concise Illustrated History of Great Japan).
Series: Dai-Nihon-shi ryakuzu e 大日本史略図会 (Concise Illustrated History of Great Japan).
Figure 13.
Figure 14. Kobayashi Kiyochika, Interview for peace negotiations in Shimonoseki, 1895.
Figure 15. Title: Threat of new machine made in China (Left one)
Creator: Artist: Kobayashi Kiyochika, Publisher: Matsuki Heikichi
Date Created: 1895.4
Location: Japan
Medium: Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Historical Period: Meiji era
Credit Line: Robert O. Muller Collection
Collection: Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Creator: Artist: Kobayashi Kiyochika, Publisher: Matsuki Heikichi
Date Created: 1895.4
Location: Japan
Medium: Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Historical Period: Meiji era
Credit Line: Robert O. Muller Collection
Collection: Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Link: https://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1183633
Figure 16. Title: Newsflash! Newsflash! (Left one)
Creator: Artist: Kobayashi Kiyochika, Publisher: Matsuki Heikichi
Date Created: 1894.11
Location: Japan
Medium: Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Historical Period: Meiji era
Credit Line: Robert O. Muller Collection
Collection: Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Creator: Artist: Kobayashi Kiyochika, Publisher: Matsuki Heikichi
Date Created: 1894.11
Location: Japan
Medium: Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Historical Period: Meiji era
Credit Line: Robert O. Muller Collection
Collection: Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Figure 17. “One Hundred Victories, One Hundred Laughs"
[百選百笑 - Hyakusen hyakusho]
by Kobayashi Kiyochika.
[百選百笑 - Hyakusen hyakusho]
by Kobayashi Kiyochika.
'Harvesting' the enemy" (Right one)
(1895).
(1895).
Figure 18.
Figure 19.
Figure 20.
Figure 21.
