Torii Kiyonaga (Japanese, 1752-1815), Enjoying the Evening Breeze on the Banks of the Sumida River, 1765. Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, 14 5/8 × 10 inches. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust. 32-143/40

Water Embodied: Flow and Meaning of Water in Japanese Art
Closing Sunday, August 23, 2026
4525 Oak Street Kansas City, MO | Gallery 205

Don’t miss Water Embodied: Flow and Meaning of Water in Japanese Art, on view at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art through August 23! Bringing together a captivating selection of Japanese paintings and works of art, the exhibition explores water as both a powerful natural force and a rich symbol of transformation, renewal, and impermanence.

In Japan, an island nation shaped by water, this essential element is far more than a natural resource—it surrounds, connects, and sustains life while deeply influencing the country’s culture, beliefs, and artistic traditions.

Spanning 500 years and nearly 50 works, the exhibition explores how water has been represented, revered, and reimagined in Japanese art. From its role in daily life and its appearances in legends and deities to its layered symbolic meanings, Water Embodied reveals water as both boundary and bridge, shaping the movement of people, goods, and ideas.

Don’t miss this fascinating exploration of water’s enduring presence in Japanese art!

To learn more, click here.