Enchanted Worlds: Hokusai, Hiroshige and the Art of Edo Japan includes more than 70 paintings sourced from private art collections. Including delicate silk paintings, precious scrolls, folding screens and vibrant woodblock prints, this exhibition explores the wonder, mystery and enduring popularity of art from this period.
The exhibition presents a captivating introduction to the characters, places and pastimes of a flourishing era during Japan’s more-than 250 years of self-imposed isolation from the world. See life as it was captured by the most popular artists of the period, including Katsushika Hokusai, Andō Hiroshige, Kitagawa Utamaro and Keisai Eisen. There are iconic depictions of popular and seasonal landmarks, including rare paintings of snow-capped Mount Fuji, waterfalls, rivers and blossoming trees. Visitors will also be introduced to the symbolic world of animals and to the imaginary realms of myth and legend, inhabited by dragons and fantastic beings.
Utagawa Hiroshige, Great Waves of Sōshū Shichiriga-hama, circa 1847, Private Collection.
Extras
Learn
On the occasion of this exhibition, the Gallery has published the e-publication, Reflections on the Floating World.
Read more
We’ve created English and Chinese reading lists connecting you to further resources on Edo-period Japan, its art and its artists.
Download the PDFs to discover recommendations for books to read and for links to e-publications and videos by experts from around the world.
Shop
We’ve updated our online shop with an exciting range of Japanese-made and Japan-inspired products in celebration of Enchanted Worlds: Hokusai, Hiroshige and the Art of Edo Japan.
Every purchase you make goes towards supporting the Gallery's work to connect art with people. Visit our online shop to check out the full range.
