Imperial treasures linked with Akita featured at prefectural modern art museum

The Akita Museum of Modern Art in Yokote, Akita Pref., is presenting a special exhibition featuring artistic treasures from The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan (Tokyo), including paintings and craft — Meiji-era shippo (cloisonne enamel) ware, sculptures and metal work — created by artists from the prefecture.

Treasures of the Imperial Household and Akita
Masterpieces from Sannomaru Shōzōkan

Jul 8 (Sat) – Sep 3 (Sun), 2023

Akita Museum of Modern Art
(Yokote, Akita Pref.)

*See outline below for details

“Treasures of the Imperial Household and Akita,” the exhibition set to open at the said museum on July 8, 2023, will showcase masterpieces housed at the Sannomaru Shozokan, such as “Phoenixes and the Rising Sun” (dated 1755) by Edo-period painter Ito Jakuchu (1716-1800) and “Poetry and Genre Scenes from Yuki province for Daijosai (Grand Thanksgiving Festival after the Enthronement)” (1990) by Nihonga-style artist Higashiyama Kaii (1908-99), as well as paintings by Hirafuku Hyakusui (1877-1933) — who hailed from the prefecture — and members of Kinreisha, a group of artists led by Hirafuku.

It is customary for the Imperial Household to bestow made-to-order bonbonnieres (small ornamental boxes used to contain sweets such as konpeito, or sugar candy) to its guests on celebratory occasions. A number of these Imperial gifts will also go on display in the exhibition. Panels of photos taken upon Emperor Meiji’s tour to Akita will also be exhibited.

The Sannomaru Shozokan — founded in 1993 and located in the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo — houses about 9,800 works of art passed down in the Imperial family. The museum is now closed for major renovations and has been putting on exhibitions in various parts of Japan to highlight the Imperial Household’s affinity with local traditions.

These exhibitions are organized with special cooperation from the Tsumugu Project, a joint effort between Japan’s Cultural Affairs Agency, Imperial Household Agency and national daily newspaper The Yomiuri Shimbun (Tokyo) to help conserve the nation’s artistic treasures.