An exhibition which will take visitors to the other side of the world and back in time to the bustling entertainment district of Edo, Japan, has opened at Warrington Museum.
Edo’s Floating World has brought back onto proud display the Museum’s collection of Japanese woodblock theatre prints which have not been in public view since 2012.
Ukiyo-e, or ‘pictures of the floating world’, is a Japanese art form that flourished during the Tokugawa period (1603-1868).
Kabuki theatre, with its mesmerizing blend of dance, music and drama, thrived during this era and was a particular popular form of entertainment in Edo (now Tokyo) and other major cities.
Audiences were captivated, and the demand for mementos soared – leading printmakers like Utagawa Kunisada and Toyohara Kunichika to rise to fame.
The influence of these renowned Japanese artists even went worldwide – going on to influence the likes of Claude Monet and Vincent van Gogh.
The best known printmaker at this time – and still to this day – was Katsushika Hokusai, behind the iconic ‘Great Wave off Kanagawa’.
But curator Mya O’Leary, a volunteer for Warrington Museum, wants the exhibition to allow visitors to discover and appreciate other artists whose work is equally as respected as Hokusai’s.
The Orford resident said: “I admire Japanese woodblock prints for a variety of reasons, but my favourite is their historical significance and how much they have influenced western artists over the years.
“They were responsible for the ‘Japonisme’ frenzy, a French term that emerged in the late 19th century to characterize the west’s fascination with Japanese art.”
Mya has been fascinated with Japanese art and culture since she read Phantom Thief Jeanne by Arina Tanemura when she was 12 and fell in love with Manga, a form of Japanese comics and graphic novels.
The 23-year-old then began to explore the history of Japanese woodblock prints and the artistry and symbolic significance found within them when she was studying at Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts.
Then when Mya joined the Warrington Museum team as a volunteer in February last year, she was delighted to be given the opportunity to explore their own collection of 35 theatre prints.
That was the starting point for the exhibition, which has been six months in the making.
“It was simply an awe-inspiring experience for me,” Mya, a former Sir Thomas Boteler student, added.
“From the intricate details of the costumes illustrated, to the fact that this was almost like a snapshot of life in Edo, Japan.”
From there, Mya went about selecting 16 prints to put on display with new interpretations to offer a window into the vibrant culture of the time.
She said: “It’s wonderful to see the exhibition finally come to life. I couldn’t have done it without the support of Roger and Craig from the Museum team. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them both and I hope everyone who comes enjoys the exhibition.”
Edo’s Floating World is open now and free to view at Warrington Museum. The exhibition runs until 16 March.
Listings information
Exhibition title: Edo’s Floating World
Dates: Open now until 16 March
Admission: Free
Location: Warrington Museum & Art Gallery, Museum Street, Warrington, WA1 1JB
wmag.culturewarrington.org
