Enchanted Worlds: Hokusai Hiroshige and the Art of Edo Japan

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.

Enchanted Worlds: Hokusai, Hiroshige and the Art of Edo Japan will also demonstrate the enduring influence of Edo-period art through the inclusion of two digital artworks from celebrated contemporary artist Tabaimo and renowned international art collective teamLab. Using 21-st century technologies, both animate and bring to life the mysterious beauty of the Floating World evoked in woodblock prints and golden screens.

Enchanted Worlds: Hokusai, Hiroshige and the Art of Edo Japan has been curated by a Japanese scholar, Rossella Menegazzo (Università degli Studi di Milano Statale), in collaboration with Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki curators, and is organised by MondoMostre, Italy.

Purchase tickets to see Enchanted Worlds: Hokusai Hiroshige and the Art of Edo Japan online with eventfinda or buy tickets on any day of the exhibition (Sat 13 Jun - Sun 16 Aug) from the Gallery's information desks on the Ground level and Level 1.

You can also purchase a 'joint exhibition' ticket, and save on entry to two of our major, paid exhibitions; Enchanted Worlds: Hokusai Hiroshige and the Art of Edo Japan, and Civilisation. Photography. Now. Please note: this ticket type (joint exhibition entry) must be redeemed once, on the same day between Sat 13 Jun - Sun 16 Aug 2020.