DPZ’s “Women in Japan” exhibition exceeds 20,000 visitors in its first month open to the public

The exhibition ” Women in Japan. Four centuries of ukiyo-e and shin-hanga ” by the Provincial Council of Zaragoza has exceeded 20,000 visitors in its first month at the Sástago Palace. The exhibition, which opened on October 3, brings the best Japanese prints closer through funds from the prestigious Pasamar-Onila collection presented to the public for the first time. This exhibition can be seen until December 29.

This is a unique opportunity to learn about the art of the land of the rising sun and discover its most characteristic styles and genres, such as ukiyo-e (a style dating back to the 17th century), shin-hanga (which revitalized the ukiyo-e genre in the 20th century) or shunga, a genre dedicated to sex and eroticism.

The exhibition features 146 Japanese prints from the 17th to the mid-20th centuries; six illustrated books from the 18th and 19th centuries; and other pieces from the 19th century, such as a magazine and an illustrated scroll from the same period. The Pasamar-Onila collection is made up of a thousand Japanese prints, of which a great variety of bijinga prints, a Japanese artistic genre depicting “beautiful women”, can be seen in the Sástago palace. The authors of the works include artists such as Eisen, Yoshitoshi, Utamaro, Hokusai (author of the famous wave near Mount Fuji), or Hiroshige; representatives of the best of Japanese art.

ORIGINS, INFLUENCE IN EUROPE AND BEAUTIES

The exhibition is divided into several cultural areas  and women are the protagonists of all of them. The works located in the courtyard of the Sástago palace show the origins of Japanese printmaking, in the ukiyo-e style, between the 17th and 18th centuries. Pieces will also be on display that will confirm the influence of Japanese art in Europe through its collectors.

The exhibition continues in the hall of arches. One area displays the work of Utamaro, one of the greatest creators in the history of printmaking, related to the ” bijinga ” genre, beautiful women according to the artist’s canon. Another area follows in the footsteps of the master and focuses on Eizan and his disciple Eisen, ending the tour in a space dedicated to the influence of the ” Tale of Gengi “, written by a woman around the year 1000, on printmaking by authors such as Kunisada or Eisen.

RENAISSANCE IN THE 20TH CENTURY, SEX AND EROTICISM

The last part of “Women in Japan” is on display in Room I and focuses on printmaking in the Meiji period (from 1868). The exhibition continues in Room II, focusing on the 20th century with works that reflect the revival of Japanese printmaking between the beginning of the 20th century and after World War II, with a special emphasis on women artists.

The exhibition concludes with ” The shunga genre: sex and eroticism in ukiyo-e printing “, with works from the 18th and 19th centuries, which will serve as the culmination of the tour of an exhibition that will take visitors through the history of Japan, from the imperial court, with its ladies, courtesans and poets, to famous places such as Edo (present-day Tokyo), Mount Fuji, the Sumida River or the lovers’ beds.

DATES AND GUIDED TOURS

“Women in Japan. Four Centuries of Ukiyo-e and Shin-hanga” can be seen until December 29, from Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; and on Sundays and holidays from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Guided tours can be booked on the Sástago Palace website. There are various guided tour options: from Tuesday to Saturday you can book at 11.30 and 18.30 to visit the palace; and at 12.30 and 19.30 to see the exhibition. On Sundays and public holidays, visits are only in the morning. In addition, there are guided tours for children (for boys and girls between 3 and 9 years old) on Saturdays at 18.30.