The Art of Japan

Until 30 May 2009

This exhibition showcases Blackburn Art Gallery’s outstanding collection of Japanese prints, featuring artists such as Hokusai and Hiroshige, alongside work from Oldham’s collections.

Many of our museum collections were originally amassed by local industrialists who began forging trade links with Japan. This was the case with Blackburn textile magnate Thomas Boys Lewis, and many items from Oldham’s historic collections were donated by industrialist Charles Edwards Lees. These range from swords to intricately crafted accessories such as inro and netsuke. The exhibition also features work by the great Japanese potter Shoji Hamada and British makers inspired by Japanese ceramics.

Image: Moon Pine, Ueno from 100, by Hiroshige