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Tale of Genji, "Sekiya",
one of 54 leaves of the Album
Ca. late 17th – 18th century |
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Our Japanese Collection consists of more than 7,000 objects, most of which date back to the second half of the Edo period (1603-1867) and to the Meiji period (1868-1912). The collection evolved gradually from private collections and through the transfer of objects preserved in different public collections; the Museum's first director, Zoltán Takács Felvinczi had an important the role in this process. Among the collectors of Japanese objects, the names of János Xántus, Museum founder Ferenc Hopp, Attila Szemere, Vince Wartha, Péter Vay and Ottó Fettick merit mention.
The largest group of objects in our collection is the approximately 2,000 pieces of graphic art. Although the woodblock prints do not cover all the characteristic schools and artists, they do represent a relatively long time-span; most are works of the Utagawa School. The majority of the prints can be dated to the end of the Edo period; in addition, we are in possession of numerous prints from the Meiji period. Also noteworthy are the 200 woodblock printed books from the Edo period, which represent a rich variety of different themes.
Most of the approximately 400 items of our kakemono (scroll-painting) collection can be dated to the end of the Edo period; reproductions of numerous famous paintings are also included. We have several earlier paintings with mainly Buddhist themes and a few kakemonos from the beginning of the Edo period. The Kan School is represented predominantly by later artists; however, the majority of the paintings were produced by lesser-known artists of the nanga School ('Southern School of Painting', painting of the literate).
The items that can be dated to the earliest periods belong to the group of Buddhist sculpture. In addition, our collection contains a remarkable group of home altars (zushi) from the 18th century.
The Museum's rich lacquer art collection contains about 900 objects. Which represent almost all techniques of Japanese lacquer art. The second half of the Edo period and the maki-e (motifs sprinkled with gold powder) technique of decoration are represented principally by items of trousseaux, inros (flat, partitioned medicine boxes worn under the belt), sword, scabbards and sets of writing boxes. We also have a large number of lacquer works that were adjusted to the taste of foreigners in the Meiji period; they form a group of variegated form, technique and iconography.
The collection contains more than 500 netsukes (small sculptures that serve as a counterweight to fix medicine boxes and tobacco cases under the belt), illustrating the diversity of the types and schools of netsuke art from the 18th century on.
Our collection also preserves objects from various schools of masters of Japanese sword accessories (kodogu), as well as swords, weapons and a few suits of armour. The craft of bronzecasting is represented by smaller sculptures, vases and incense holders which were prepared for foreigners in the Meiji period. The collection is further enriched by numerous cloisonné works, principally vases and smaller sculptures.
The approximately 1,000 items of the ceramics collection belong mainly to the export (Arita) ceramics; the majority date back to the second half of the Edo period. A smaller group of objects represents the Satsuma and Kioto ceramics which were also prepared for export.
The collection of some 230 textile samples gives an insight into traditional Japanese weaving techniques and the wide variety of motifs.
Mónika Bincsik
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Hunter and boar
Netsuke, second half of
19th century |
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Kitagawa Utamaro I.:
Three Gods of Good Fortune
Woodblock print, ca. 1801–06 |
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Raku teabowl
with symbol of Hotei
1833 |
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Okina mask
on textile Maki-e incense box
19th century |
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