Clockwise from Top Left: Ikebana Demonstration; Portrait of the Third Taglund Abbot, Sangye Yarjon (detail), Central Tibet, ca. 1262–1263, opaque watercolor with gold on cloth, Tangka: 12 3/4 x 10 in., lent by The Kronos Collections, Open Studio – Calligraphy

Explore the fascinating exhibitions at The Met this month with an array of engaging public events. Participate in in-person and online lectures, hands-on art-making activities, and an in-depth study session led by renowned scholars and experts. Discover topics such as the intricate symbolism of Tibetan Buddhist mandalas, the artistry of Chinese and Japanese calligraphy, and the techniques behind creating stunning Japanese Ikebana flower arrangements.

The Rubin Museum Distinguished Lecture in Himalayan Art—Outer and Inner: Mahasiddhas Empowered by Mandalas Embodied
Tuesday, December 10, 2024 from 6-7pm
Bonnie J. Sacerdote Lecture Hall, Ruth and Harold D. Uris Center for Education
Free; In-person and Livestream

Presented in conjunction with the exhibition Mandalas: Mapping the Buddhist Art of Tibet, join scholar Robert Linrothe to explore the connection between “outer” and “inner” mandalas. In the Himalayas, these “power objects” are known to dispense blessings and are the focus of rituals, offerings, and advanced spiritual training. Take a deep dive into the Mandalas exhibition and learn about Tibetan Buddhist siddhas, mahasiddhas, and mandalas from one of the world’s leading scholars.

While advance registration is now closed, you can watch the livestream on The Met’s YouTube page here.

To learn more, click here.

Open Studio – Calligraphy
Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 1-4pm
Various Galleries, Florence and Herbert Irving Asian Wing
Free with Museum admission

Presented in conjunction with the exhibitions Chinese Painting and Calligraphy: Selections from the Collection and The Three Perfections: Japanese Poetry, Calligraphy, and Painting from the Mary and Cheney Cowles Collection, explore the materials and process of Chinese and Japanese calligraphy through an artist demonstration, a performance, and art making listed below:

Gallery 217, The Astor Court
Learn more about the art of writing through a performance and calligraphy demonstration by artist Vincent Chong (performing as Crystal Monkey) featuring musical accompaniment by Ariel Loh and Clae Lu. (Note: The artist will process to The Astor Court from the Great Hall starting at 12:45 pm).

Gallery 209, The Astor Forecourt
Explore techniques of ink brush painting and use calligraphic lines to create your own work of art.

For visitors of all ages; space is limited; first come, first served.

To learn more, click here.

Sunday at The Met—Calligraphy Across the Collection
Sunday, December 15, 2024 from 2-3:30pm
The Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium
Free with Museum admission

Presented in conjunction with the exhibitions Chinese Painting and Calligraphy: Selections from the Collection, The Great Hall Commission: Tong Yang-Tze, Dialogue, and The Three Perfections: Japanese Poetry, Calligraphy, and Painting from the Mary and Cheney Cowles Collection, join Museum experts for presentations about works of art that feature calligraphy throughout The Met collection, including Chinese, Islamic, Japanese, and Modern and Contemporary art. Learn how artists across different times and cultures have explored calligraphy’s capacity for visual, emotional, and social impact beyond linguistic barriers.

Free with Museum admission, though advance registration is recommended. Note: Space is limited; first come, first served. Priority will be given to those who register.

To learn more and register, click here.

Art History Study Group—Mandalas: Mapping the Buddhist Art of Tibet
Monday, December 16, 2024 from 4-5:30pm
Online
Fee: $40

Presented in conjunction with the exhibition Mandalas: Mapping the Buddhist Art of Tibet, expand your knowledge of art history through virtual introductions to core themes and close examination of The Met’s objects with Museum experts. Join Kurt Behrendt, curator of the exhibit, to explore the imagery of Himalayan Buddhist devotional art dating primarily between the 12th and 15th centuries. Learn about Himalayan Buddhist worship through early masterworks juxtaposed with a newly commissioned contemporary installation by Tibetan artist Tenzing Rigdol.

Space is limited; advance registration is required. Registration closes Friday, December 13, 2024, or when registration is full.

To learn more and register, click here.

Ikebana Demonstration
Tuesday, December 17, 2024 from 11:30am-12:30pm and 1:30-2:30pm
Gallery 209, The Astor Forecourt
Free with Museum admission

Learn how to prepare a Japanese Ikebana flower arrangement in the style of the Ohara School from instructor Asae Takahashi. Ikebana, or the art of flower arrangement, is a tradition that has been practiced in Japan for centuries. Blending the concept of natural balance and minimalism, the evolving art form pays respect to both traditional and contemporary aesthetics. In this program, a demonstrator prepares flower arrangements in one of the many schools of style that exist within this artistic tradition. They share their vision for each piece, the creative process, and how these decisions relate to the philosophy of Ikebana tradition, which is rooted in balance, harmony, and the beauty of impermanence.

Free with Museum admission, though advance registration is recommended. Note: Space is limited; first come, first served.

To learn more and register, click here.

Installation view, Treasures in Miniature, Dai Ichi Arts, Ltd.

Winter Collection: Treasures in Miniature
Closing Friday, December 13, 2024

Don’t miss the opportunity to view this curated collection of small works by modern and contemporary master ceramicists from Japan and Korea at Dai Ichi Arts, Ltd. before it closes on December 13. These thoughtfully crafted objects celebrate the quiet beauty often overlooked in the hustle of daily life, offering a moment of stillness and reflection.

The collection is divided into three distinct sections: ceramics for the calligrapher’s craft, implements for incense, and vessels for sake and tea. Among these captivating works is a new collection of ceramic water droppers from Korea, celebrating the profound influence and shared heritage that has enriched Japanese craftsmanship for centuries. Each object, whether a desk companion or a portable collector’s treasure, invites admiration for its intricate details and masterful design. These miniature works of art embody a sense of beauty in the everyday, making them perfect for personal use or as inspiration on your travels.

As the weather turns colder and the days shorter, we often find ourselves spending more time at home, surrounded by the objects we cherish. Be sure to explore this enchanting collection and discover the craftsmanship and cultural heritage behind these timeless pieces.

To view the exhibition catalog, click here.

To learn more, click here.

Installation view, Spacetime and Landscapes, Wangye Museum, Shenzhen

Spacetime and Landscapes
November 28, 2024 – May 17, 2025
Wangye Museum
Songshan Lake, Dongguan, Shenzhen

Eric Zetterquist, founder of the esteemed Zetterquist Galleries, is delighted to announce the opening of Spacetime and Landscapes, an exhibition showcasing his Object Portraits at the Wangye Museum in Shenzhen, China. Inspired by the museum’s collection of Chinese ceramics and artifacts, Zetterquist reinterprets these historical objects through a contemporary lens. His meticulous focus on minute details and the interplay of negative space transforms each artifact into an abstracted, modern composition. The resulting works transcend time, capturing a distilled essence of the ancient forms while reimagining their significance within a minimalist visual language.

To learn more about these works, click here.

Spiral Magazine, Reframe, Issue 8, Courtesy the Rubin

The Rubin is mailing their upcoming spring issue of Spiral Magazine to the first 2,000 people who sign up for the publication by December 31!

Spiral is the Rubin’s signature magazine offering readers an in-depth exploration of Himalayan art, culture, and ideas. Through a rich combination of essays, interviews, and visuals, Spiral delves into the museum’s exhibitions, programs, and collections, connecting them to broader themes of mindfulness, philosophy, and contemporary relevance. As a thoughtful platform for experts, artists, and thinkers to share insights, this annual publication inspires readers to engage with the profound heritage of Himalayan traditions in fresh and meaningful ways.

To learn more and reserve your free copy today, click here.

Kondō Takahiro (Japanese, born 1958), Reflection: TK Self Portrait, 2010., glazed porcelain, 19 1/16 × 6 3/16 in. (48.5 × 15.7 cm); Carol and Jeffrey Horvitz Collection, © Kondō Takahiro. (Photo: Richard P. Goodbody and John Morgan)

Museum Spotlight: Porcelains in the Mist: The Kondō Family of Ceramicists
Closing Sunday, December 8, 2024
Arts of Japan, 2nd Floor

There’s still time to catch Porcelains in the Mist: The Kondō Family of Ceramicists at the Brooklyn Museum before it closes on December 8.  This extraordinary exhibition celebrates the groundbreaking artistry of the Kondō family, featuring sixty-one stunning works that trace three generations of innovation in Japanese ceramics.

The exhibit highlights the artistic legacy of Kondō Yūzō (1902–1985), a designated Living National Treasure, and his descendants—Kondō Hiroshi (1936–2012), Kondō Yutaka (1932–1983), and contemporary artist Kondō Takahiro (b. 1958). Together, they transcended traditional techniques to embrace original, individual expression.

Tracing this evolution, the exhibit showcases early creations ranging from freehand-painted vases and pure-white jars to Kondō Takahiro’s mesmerizing porcelain sculptures. These striking pieces, often self-portraits, are glazed in deep shades of blue and adorned with metallic droplets known as “silver mist” or gintekisai. Both the term and the intricate glazing technique are innovations of Takahiro, demonstrating his mastery and ingenuity. Several of these powerful porcelains reflect his personal responses to monumental events, particularly the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan.

Learn more about how each generation of the Kondō family has distinguished their innovation from Curator Joan Cummins here.

To learn more about the exhibit, click here.

Pair of Pottery Court Ladies, Chinese, Tang Dynasty, circa 618-907 A.D., height: 19 cm–19.5 cm

Gifts from the Ancient World
December 2 – 6, 2024
16-17 Pall Mall, London

Oliver Forge and Brendan Lynch Ltd. is pleased to announce their newly opened Christmas exhibition Gifts from the Ancient World, which is on show from December 2-6.

Among the treasures is a pair of Tang Dynasty Court Ladies, a group of Egyptian faience jewelry, stone vessels, and ancient bronzes. With prices ranging from £200-5,000, it is an ideal show for Christmas treats.

They’ve already seen swift sales, so be sure to browse their catalogue and reach out with any inquiries!

To view their superb online catalog, click here.

Makino Kōmin, Accessory Box with Hydrangea, 1930s, gold, silver and colored lacquer on wood with shell inlays, 8 x 12½ x 7½ in. (20.5 x 32 x 19.3 cm)

Golden Treasures: Japanese Gold Lacquer Boxes
October 26 – December 20, 2024
9 East 63rd St, NYC

Thomsen Gallery warmly invites you to experience their annual exhibition of Japanese gold lacquer masterpieces dating from the early 18th century to the present. This year’s collection highlights exquisite lacquer works from the modern era (1910s–1950s), including a remarkable screen that was published and  exhibited at the annual national art exhibition of 1952. Discover the artistry and enduring allure of these timeless creations in an extraordinary journey through Japan’s rich cultural heritage.

To learn more, click here.

Kiyoshi Saito (1907-1997), New York (B), self-carved, self-printed; signed in white at lower right, Kiyoshi Saito, titled, numbered and dated in pencil on bottom margin, NEW YORK (B) 19/50, 1963, with artist’s paper label attached to verso, self-carved, self-printed KIYOSHI SAITO, 1963, 27 1/8 x 21 1/8 in.

Creative Connections: Sosaku-Hanga Artists & New York
December 5, 2024 – January 31, 2025
145 West 58th St, Ste 6D, NYC
View by appointment

Scholten Japanese Art is pleased to present Creative Connections: Sosaku-Hanga Artists & New York, a group exhibition of preeminent Japanese sosaku-hanga print artists, all of whom had connections with New York and with each other.

The presentation includes self-carved and self-printed woodblock prints by Shiko Munakata (1903-1975), Jun’ichiro Sekino (1914-1988), Kiyoshi Saito (1907-1997), Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995) and his younger brother, Hodaka Yoshida (1926-1995), along with Hodaka’s wife, Chizuko Yoshida (1924-2017), as well as another set of spouses, Ansei Uchima (1921-2000) and his wife, Toshiko Uchima (1918-2000).

Explore the exhibition online ahead of its December 5 opening on their website!

To view these superb works, click here.

Kitagawa Utamaro, Kisegawa of the Matsubaya, from the series “Comparing the Charms of Five Beauties (Gonin bijin aikyo kurabe)”, c. 1795/96, Courtesy Art Institute Chicago

If you’re traveling outside of New York this Thanksgiving holiday, make the most of your journey by exploring captivating exhibitions and enchanting works of art at ten of our member museums nationwide. Below is a list of shows not to miss!

Art Institute Chicago
Transitory Beauty: Japanese Fan Prints
October 17, 2024 – January 20, 2025

This recently opened exhibit highlights the vibrant fan prints of Japan’s Edo period (1615–1868), showcasing designs that featured Kabuki actors, beauties, and landscapes. These fans, available in two shapes: the folding fan (ōgi) and the round fan (uchiwa), were often adorned with colorful scenes, many created by the prolific artist Utagawa Hiroshige. While most fans were heavily used and worn out, many in the Art Institute’s collection survived because they were never mounted on bamboo sticks and thus were never used. The display also explores the cultural significance of fans, including depictions of them and fan-inspired shapes in Japanese prints.

To learn more, click here.

Heavenly King Virudhaka, 1368–1644. China, Ming dynasty (1368–1644). 1918.544, Courtesy The Cleveland Museum of Art

The Cleveland Museum of Art
Demons, Ghosts, and Goblins in Chinese Art
September 8, 2024 – January 20, 2025

Step into a world of the supernatural with Demons, Ghosts, and Goblins in Chinese Art, an exhibition that delves into the dual nature of these mysterious beings—both as harbingers of harm and protectors against evil. Featuring 20 sculptures and paintings from a private collection and the Cleveland Museum of Art, the show explores the stories in which they appear and the supernatural power that they exert.

To learn more, click here.

Tokio Ueyama, The Evacuee, 1942, oil on canvas, 24 x 30 in; Courtesy Japanese American National Museum; Gift of Kayoko Tsukada; ©Estate of Tokio Ueyama, Courtesy Denver Art Museum

Denver Art Museum
The Life and Art of Tokio Ueyama
July 28, 2024 – June 1, 2025

This exhibit tells the story of this accomplished artist’s life, including his early days as an art student in San Francisco, Southern California, and Philadelphia; his travels abroad;  his role as artist and community member in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles; and his incarceration during World War II at the Granada Relocation Center, now the Amache National Historic Site, in southeast Colorado. There, Ueyama taught adult art classes to 150 students. This exhibition tells a story of a time in Colorado’s history, of a place where Americans experienced dislocation and loss, and, more importantly, displayed unimaginable resilience, tenacity, and creativity in the face of prejudice.

To learn more, click here.

Garden carpet, Iran, 18th century, cotton warp, wool weft, and pile, Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Joseph V. McMullan, 1957.137

Harvard Art Museums
Garden Paradise
Through October 2025

This newly opened installation in their Islamic and South Asian Art galleries delves into the profound significance of gardens in the Islamic world, where they were integral to palatial, religious, and funerary complexes and celebrated in literature as earthly paradises. In the Qur’an, paradise is promised to believers as a beautiful garden to rest and enjoy, with four flowing rivers of clear water, non-intoxicating wine, pure honey, and milk, as well as aromatic plants and fruit-bearing trees. During the Islamic era, gardens in Iran and Central and South Asia merged this idea of a four-river paradise with the ancient Persian cross-axial garden to form a four-part garden design known as the chahar bagh.

To learn more, click here.

Iskandar and the talking tree (detail), folio from the Great Mongol Shahnama (Book of kings), Iran, probably Tabriz, Ilkhanid dynasty, ca. 1330, ink, color, and gold on paper, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1935.23

National Museum of Asian Art
An Epic of Kings: The Great Mongol Shahnama 
September 21, 2024 – January 12, 2025

Monumental in scale and vividly illustrated, the Great Mongol Shahnama stands as one of the most renowned masterpieces of medieval Persian art, completed by the poet Firdawsi around 1010. An Epic of Kings offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see twenty-five folios from this now dismantled manuscript. It is also the first exhibition to present paintings from the Great Mongol Shahnama alongside contemporaneous works from China, the Mediterranean, and the Latin West. Experience this unique historical moment of cultural exchange across Eurasia—where commodities, people, and ideas circulated like never before—with Iran at its center.

To learn more, click here.

Katsushika Hokusai (Japanese, 1760–1849). Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa‑oki nami‑ura), also known as the Great Wave, from the series Thirty‑six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei), about 1830–1831, Tenpō Era (1830–1844), woodblock print (nishiki‑e), ink and color on paper, 9 15/16 × 14 13/16 in.; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, William Sturgis Bigelow Collection; Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Courtesy Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Hokusai: Waves of Inspiration from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
September 21, 2024 – January 5, 2025

Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849) is one of the most famous Japanese artists in history, thanks largely to his instantly recognizable print known familiarly as the Great Wave. Hokusai: Waves of Inspiration features work from his own expansive and versatile career as well as objects in many different media by the generations of artists that he inspired. With roughly 100 works of art by Hokusai himself, this exhibit  highlights the breadth of subjects the artist tackled along with 200 additional works by the artist’s teachers, family, students, rivals, and worldwide admirers. The exhibition traces Hokusai’s artistry to unexpected places across time, place, and medium and shows how he defined, reinvented, and elevated every art form he engaged with.

To learn more, click here.

Katsushika Hokusai (Japanese, 1760–1849), Nihonbashi Bridge in Edo (Edo Nihonbashi), from the series Thirty-Five Views of Fuji (Fugaku Sanjūrokkei), c. 1833, color woodcut,  9 13/16 x 14 9/16 inches (24.9 x 37 cm), Courtesy Philadelphia Museum of Art

Philadelphia Museum of Art
Visions of the Land in Edo Japan
Through January 13, 2025

Pictorial representations of the land blossomed in Japan during the Edo period (1615–1868), an era of peace and prosperity. Landscape painters and printmakers created a large number of works with new ideas and techniques that had recently become available. Featuring recent acquisitions and choice examples from museum’s collection, this exhibition invites you to explore the three modes of landscape presented—poetic, iconic, and panoramic. Together, these visions of the land manifest the dynamism of Edo Japan.

To learn more, click here.

Coffee Service, Worcester Royal Porcelain Company, probably decorated by John Hopewell (1975-1879), Gift of Mrs. Alletta Morris McBean, PSNC.8550.1ab-.6ab, Courtesy The Preservation Society of Newport County

The Preservation Society of Newport County
Wild Imagination: Art and Animals in the Gilded Age
August 30, 2024 – January 12, 2025

During the Gilded Age (1870–1914), Americans’ relationship with animals underwent a profound transformation. This exhibit, with a focus on Newport history, examines how this dynamic and tumultuous era shaped the role of animals in our modern world. Bringing together a menagerie of animal-themed artworks and other objects, from paintings, sculptures, photographs and fashions to fancy dog collars and sea creatures blown in glass, Wild Imagination reflects upon the profound and lasting changes in human-animal relations, while also revealing the individual stories of wondrous creatures that continue to capture our imagination.

To learn more, click here.

Installation view, Gateway to Himalayan Art, Courtesy Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art

Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art
Gateway to Himalayan Art
August 28 – December 12, 2024
Frank Museum of Art, Otterbein University, Westerville, OH

Gateway to Himalayan Art is a traveling exhibit for colleges, universities, and art museums that introduces the main forms, concepts, meanings, and living traditions of Himalayan art. Currently on view at the Frank Museum of Art at Otterbein University in Ohio, this presentation’s three areas of focus are Symbols and Meanings, Materials and Technologies, and Living Practices. Traditional scroll paintings (thangkas), sculptures in various media, and ritual items comprise the diverse range of objects on view.

To learn more, click here.

Yoshioka Ichimonji Sukehide, Japanese, active ca. 1360, Wakizashi (Short Sword), Jūyo Token, Signed: Sukehide, 7th month, 18th year [of the Shōhei era], July 1363, Handmade and polished steel, 13 3/4 in. (35 cm), San Antonio Museum of Art, acquired in memory of Robert R. Clemons with funds realized from his estate, 2022.11.1

San Antonio Museum of Art
Samurai Spirit: Swords, Accessories, and Paintings
January 6, 2024 – January 26, 2025

First shared through oral tradition, tales of epic battles, heroic exploits, and legendary samurai warriors became enduring themes in Japanese literature, theater, and art. Central to these stories were the samurai swords, polished to perfection and intricately adorned, revered as symbols of honor and heritage. This exhibit highlights two remarkable 14th century swords: a wakizashi (short sword) signed by its maker, Yoshioka Ishimonji Sukehide, and dated July 1363, and a katana (long sword), traditionally wielded with two hands. Complemented by other samurai weapons and artifacts, this collection offers an engaging introduction to a cornerstone of traditional Japanese culture.

To learn more, click here.

Zoom Webinar, Material Transformation: Japanese Textile Art, Courtesy Joan B Mirviss LTD

If you missed our recent Zoom webinar, Material Transformation: Japanese Textile Art,  co-hosted with Joan B Mirviss LTD, you can watch it now on our website by clicking the link below!

For over a millennium, Japan has been celebrated for its vibrant and diverse textile industry. From weaving with silk, wool, wood, stainless steel and even silkworm cocoons to numerous styles of fabric dyeing, Japanese artists have continually pushed the boundaries of tradition and technology. Join our esteemed panel of experts as they delve into this vibrant history of Japanese textile art, tracing the evolution of the kimono, the sustainable tradition of using recycled materials, and the ways contemporary makers use traditional aesthetics and techniques innovatively to expand the field of Japanese textile art.

Watch now here!