TREASURE ISLAND

TREASURE ISLAND

Japan’s eclectic visual culture

by KOD Staff

Beyond the visual tropes of Hello Kitty, origami and manga, Japanese art reveals itself to be highly rich and complex, formed of paradoxes and contradictions. Tradition and modernity, modesty and eroticism, high art and kitsch are brought together in surprising ways where west meets east. No single visual style can define Japanese art, dispelling our fantasy of the exotic other. These spirited images provide a glimpse into Japan’s cultural melting-pot. 

Toyohara Chikanobu, 'A Mirror of Japanese Nobility', 1887

Toyohara Chikanobu, 'A Mirror of Japanese Nobility', 1887

Yayoi Kusama in 'Yellow Tree' furniture room at Aichi Triennale, 2010

Yayoi Kusama in 'Yellow Tree' furniture room at Aichi Triennale, 2010

Vintage Geisha

Vintage Geisha

Japanese Toys

Japanese Toys

Utagawa Kuniteru, 'Ten realms within the body', 1885

Utagawa Kuniteru, 'Ten realms within the body', 1885

Poster for The National Bonds for the Sino-Japanese War Ministry of Finance, 1937

Poster for The National Bonds for the Sino-Japanese War Ministry of Finance, 1937

Modern Japanese Tattoo

Modern Japanese Tattoo

Tomatsu Shomei, 'Hibakusha Tsuyo Kataoka', 1961

Tomatsu Shomei, 'Hibakusha Tsuyo Kataoka', 1961

Takashi Murakami, 'Mr. DOB All Stars' (Oh My the Mr. DOB), 1998

Takashi Murakami, 'Mr. DOB All Stars' (Oh My the Mr. DOB), 1998

Kikugawa Eizan, 'Haru No Raku' (Spring Pleasure), 1787-1867

Kikugawa Eizan, 'Haru No Raku' (Spring Pleasure), 1787-1867 

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