Riku Yamakawa | Special Exhibition "The Depths of Yokohama-e": Genre, Image, or Export Art?
A review of an exhibition tracing Yokohama-e's evolution and the gaze of past artisans at a history museum.Summary
This article reviews the special exhibition "The Depths of Yokohama-e" held at the Yokohama History Museum. The author begins by contrasting the retaining walls symbolizing the Kohoku New Town development with the Otsuka-Saikachido archaeological site, reflecting on the discontinuity and continuity of the city's history. The review then traces the evolution of "Yokohama-e" from the opening of the port in 1859 through the early Meiji period, examining its development as export art and souvenirs. It covers the transition from the Goseda school's portraits to panoramic paintings, watercolors, and pottery designs. The author focuses on changes in format—from hanging scrolls and screens to Western-style frames and extreme panoramas—and argues that observing the artists' techniques and gaze allows one to connect with the lived experience of people from the past. The article concludes with a visit to the archaeological park, where the author feels a sense of continuity, bridging the gap between eras.
(Source：artscape)