” Meiji, Taisho & More: Masterful Techniques in Japanese Art “

Photo Left：Japanese Meiji Period Satsuma Earthenware Vase by Kinkozan. Vase previously featured in important exhibition “Meiji Modern: Fifty Years of New Japan”.
Photo Light：Cloisonne vase by Hattori Tadasaburo of Nagoya (d.1939) Height: 8.9 inches (22.6 cm) Japan, c. 1905 (Meiji period)

Hosted by The Nippon Club
Organized by Orientations Gallery and Oriental Treasure Box Gallery

For New York, Asia Week 2025, Orientations Gallery and Oriental Treasure Box Gallery are returning to The Nippon Gallery located on the esteemed 7th floor of the Nippon Club Tower. This year’s event, entitled “Meiji, Taisho & More: Masterful Techniques in Japanese Art” celebrates the twelves collaborative vetted exhibition.

This exhibition will showcase an exquisite collection of Japanese artworks from the Meiji and Taisho periods and beyond. It features a diverse range of craft traditions, including cloisonné, metalwork, ceramics, lacquerware, painting, bamboo craftsmanship, sculpture, and textile arts. The exhibition highlights masterpieces created by distinguished artisans, including Imperial Household Artists and Living National Treasures, whose exceptional craftsmanship represents the pinnacle of beauty and technical mastery.

This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to appreciate the works of master artisans who led the Japanese craft world from the Meiji era to the early Showa period, such as Jubei Ando (Cloisonné), Kichibei Hirano (Metalwork) , Yosaburo Honda (Metalwork), Tadasaburo Hattori (Lacquerware), Shinobu Tsuda (Metalwork), Torizo Morimura (Metalwork) and Kinkozan (Ceramics). Their artistic achievements not only elevated traditional Japanese craftsmanship to new heights but continue to be highly esteemed both in Japan and internationally.

Last year, the “Meiji Modern” exhibition, which toured prestigious institutions such as the Asia Society, garnered significant attention. This year, The Nippon Gallery will feature special exhibits from that show, provided by both galleries. The exhibition will trace the evolution of Japanese traditional craftsmanship and its legacy, offering visitors a deeper understanding of the profound allure of Japanese art. Come and experience the timeless beauty of Japanese art that continues to inspire across generations.

■ Special Lecture: Dr. Bradley Bailey on the Essence of Meiji Craftsmanship

As a highlight of the exhibition, we are honored to present a lecture by Dr. Bradley Bailey, the Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Curator and Chair of Asian Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH)

•Date : Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 2:00 PM
•Venue : The Rose Room (2nd Floor, The Nippon Club)
•Admission : Free
•Registration : gallery@nipponclub.org（Limited seating available; first come, first served）

In this lecture, Dr. Bailey will provide an in-depth analysis of the elegant techniques in Japanese art from the Meiji and Taisho periods onward, using selected works from this exhibition.

【About Dr. Bradley Bailey】

Dr. Bailey is the inaugural Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Curator and Chair of Asian Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH). Specializing in Japanese art from the Meiji, Taisho, and early Showa periods, he has written and lectured extensively on Japan’s artistic exchanges with the West.

He has curated exhibitions on Japanese American and contemporary art at institutions such as the Mead Art Museum, Yale University Art Gallery, and Ackland Art Museum. His recent major projects include None Whatsoever: Zen Paintings from the Gitter-Yelen Collection (2023) and Meiji Modern: 50 Years of New Japan (2024).

At MFAH, he has expanded the Asian art collection with significant acquisitions, including Japanese paintings and the Parpia Collection of Indian textiles. He also led the reorganization of the Korea Gallery.

Dr. Bailey holds a Ph.D. in art history and an M.B.A. in nonprofit management and museums from Yale University. His publications include essays on Meiji Modern, Hokusai, and Sino-Japanese War prints.

This exhibition presents a rare opportunity to experience the enduring tradition and evolution of Japanese art. We warmly invite you to join us and immerse yourself in its timeless beauty.

Photo Left：A cloisonné enamel incense burner (koro) and cover
Attributed to Honda Yosaburo of Kyoto, Meiji period (late 19th century), 10in (25.4cm) wide
Photo Right：Japanese Taishō – Early Showa Period Art Deco Bronze Hawk Okimono by Morimura Torizō (1897-1949)