Oka Kazuma (1882-1956), Bar Bacchus in Ginza, from the series Pictures of Ginza, First Series,
January 1929, Gift of the artist

Recollections of Tokyo: 1923-1945
July 2-September 25, 2022

This weekend, the Art Institute of Chicago opens two new engaging Asian art exhibitions

Tokyo was devastated by the Great Kantō Earthquake of 1923 but developed at an astounding rate over the next few decades. During this period, a number of printmakers documented their impressions of both the ruin of the city and its rebirth. In this Japanese print exhibition, the representation of lost buildings and outmoded entertainments can remind us of time’s passage and the ever-changing nature of a dynamic urban metropolis.

Covered Vase, Qing dynasty (1664–1912), reign of the Kangxi Emperor (1662–1722).
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Bud Berman

Among Friends and Family
July 2-September 25, 2022
The many cultures and traditions across Asia offer countless examples of visually beautiful and emotionally profound art reflecting the importance of time spent with loved ones. The Among Friends and Family exhibition presents a selection of objects from China, Japan, and Korea that portray some of the gatherings that invigorate both everyday life and special occasions.

Cap, Qing dynasty (1644–1912), 18th–19th century. Promised gift of Barbara and David Kipper

While at the museum, be sure to also see the familiar yet rare objects in Kingfisher Headdresses from China, currently on view through May 2023. By the Song dynasty (960–1278), portraits of empresses showed them wearing headdresses adorned with kingfisher ornaments. Few examples of this fragile artistry have survived, and the earliest ones come from the tomb of the Wanli Emperor (reigned 1572–1620), in which archaeologists found four elaborate kingfisher crowns worn by his empresses.