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Feb. 14 - Aug. 30, 2015

Suit of Armor, Edo period (1615 –1868), late 18th or early 19th century, Iron, doeskin, and lacquer, Museum Purchase, 1892.2783

CINCINNATI – Jan. 16, 2015 – The Cincinnati Art Museum is home to one of the oldest and most extensive Japanese art collections among all U.S. museums. Masterpieces of Japanese Art, on view Feb. 14 - Aug. 30, features 100 items from the Cincinnati Art Museum’s permanent Japanese art collection which tell the fascinating stories of Cincinnatians who traveled and lived in Japan.

Many items in this exhibition have rarely been on display to the public before while others have never been on display at the museum. Items in this exhibition include paintings, screens, prints, ceramics, lacquer and metal wares, ivory carvings, arms and armor, cloisonné, dolls, masks, costumes and textiles. This exhibition features items which span from the 12th to 20th centuries, and many major styles of Japanese art representing rare and unique examples of many of the leading masters of this time.

Some of the treasures in Masterpieces of Japanese Art include:

 Complete set of Japanese armor. Made from iron, doeskin and lacquer, the armor is in the style of the Edo period (1615-1868), created in the late 18th or early 19th century.

 Model of an ox cart. Coated with black lacquer, this large-scale model is equipped with functional parts and decorated with custom-made bamboo curtains for its windows and doors.

 Presentation of a Prince, six-fold screen. Depicting a scene from the Tale of Genji. In ink, color and gold on paper, the screen is attributed to 16th century female artist Chiyo Mitsuhisa. Due to its rarity and value, the National Institute for Cultural Properties of Japan funded its restoration. It was shipped to Japan for expert conservation restoration in 2012.

 Teapot with bamboo handle. A double-gourd-shaped teapot covered in a soft yellow glaze that darkens to green. This item is an example of Rookwood Pottery’s introduction into Japanese aesthetics via Kitaro Shirayamadani, who worked at Rookwood from 1887 until his death in 1948.

 Miss Okinawa, Japanese Friendship Doll. Created as a symbol of friendship and goodwill between Japan and the United States, this is one of 58 Japanese dolls sent to the US in 1927. The 30-inch doll dressed in a silk kimono and some of her accessories will be on display.

Dr. Hou-mei Sung, Curator of Asian Art at the Cincinnati Art Museum, has dedicated years to exploring and inventorying the museum’s 3,000 piece collection of Japanese art. To complement the exhibition, she has created a 206-page catalogue which provides history and context for each item that will be on display.

Model of an Ox Cart

Meiji period (1868–1912), 19th century

Lacquer, Gift of Mrs. Etsu Inagaki Sugimoto, 1911.1371

“We want the world to know that the Cincinnati Art Museum has an amazing collection of Japanese art. It’s a hidden treasure of beautiful, diverse and historically relevant artwork, right here in Cincinnati,” said Dr. Sung. “The artwork alone is worthy of appreciation, but the exploration of the past and connections with the area to Japan makes it even more interesting.”

Masterpieces of Japanese Art will be on view in the Schiff Gallery and Ambulatory area on the museum’s second floor (Galleries 222 and 234). Additional Japanese artwork will be on display with the permanent artwork in the Asian gallery on the first floor.

This exhibition is sponsored by the Japan Foundation, Bonhams Asian Art Department and Cincinnati Asian Art Society. Admission to the exhibition is free.

Exhibition Overview Masterpieces of Japanese Art features 100 works from Cincinnati Art Museum’s permanent collection, which have only recently discovered and acknowledged as important to the field. The exhibition reveals the ties between Cincinnati and Japan and is designed to provide a better understanding of Japanese art and its aesthetics as well as explore the unique regional perspective throughout the history of the collection.

Also highlighted in the exhibition and catalogue is the relationship between the Cincinnati Art Museum’s Japanese art collection and the 19th century Cincinnati-Japan dialogue initiated by many outstanding Cincinnatian citizens, artists, collectors, and travelers, including Alfred T. Goshorn (1833–1902), Dr. Charles Sidney Muscroft (1820–88), Mrs. Charles Mills Hinkle (1864–1939), Robert Blum (1857–1903), John Wesley Bookwalter (1837–1915), John J. Emery (1898–1976), Mrs. Robert McKay (1894–1983), Joseph C. Thoms (1839–1919), and Maria Longworth (1849–1932) of Rookwood Pottery. All of them contributed to the dialogue and helped to shape the Art Museum’s collection.

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About the Cincinnati Art Museum

The Cincinnati Art Museum is supported by the generosity of individuals and businesses that give annually to ArtsWave. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Cincinnati Art Museum with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Cincinnati Art Museum gratefully acknowledges operating support from the City of Cincinnati, as well as our members.

General admission to the Cincinnati Art Museum is always free. The museum is open Tuesday – Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and is closed Monday.

Programming/Gallery Experiences/Events

A Gallery Guide, Family Focus Guide and Path Cards will be available with this exhibition.

Evenings for Educators

Discovering Masterpieces of Japanese Art

February 18, 2015, 4 - 7 p.m.

Evenings for Educators is the Cincinnati Art Museum’s monthly teacher professional development program. Hear from Curator of Asian Art, Hou-mei Sung, take docent-led tours of this exhibition and learn about ways to connect this exhibition with your lesson plans. Cost: $20 non-members; $10 Art Museum Members; $5 Students with valid ID. Reservations Required. Reservations can be made online or by calling (513) 721.ARTS. For more information, email [email protected].

Family First Saturday

Japan (and the Opening of the new Rosenthal Education Center)

March 7, 2015, 1 - 4 p.m.

What’s going on? A lot, and then some more! Performances, artist demonstrations, storytelling, scavenger hunts, tours, and hands-on art making activities are just the start of the fun for the whole family. FREE. Reservations Not Required.

Art After Dark

March 27, 5 - 9 p.m.

Come and see what the buzz is about! Join us for a Japanese inspired evening of fun. Enjoy full access to our galleries after hours, live entertainment and docent-led tours throughout the night.

FREE event with drinks and appetizers available for purchase. No reservations required.

ASL Tours for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired

Masterpieces of Japanese Art

April 18, 2015, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

A certified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter joins an Art Museum docent each month for a free tour of one of our special exhibitions. FREE. Reservations required.

Connect: A Multisensory Museum Experience for Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Art and Culture of Japan

April 25, 2015, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

This program is specifically designed for adults with developmental disabilities and their caregivers. Each month, join museum educators for a multisensory exploration of art from the museum’s permanent collection and special exhibitions, followed by art making projects in Rosenthal Education Center. Every month features a different theme, so come back every fourth Saturday for a new adventure in learning about art! FREE. Reservations required.

InDepth

Masterpieces of Japanese Art with Hou-Mei Sung

June 13, 2015, 2 - 3 p.m.

Join Art Museum staff the second Saturday each month for an in-depth look at special exhibitions or gallery re-installations. This expanded gallery talk will provide comprehensive information and insight into what’s new at the Art Museum. FREE. Reservations required.

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