From Hokusai to Toriyama, Japan for neophytes

Rueil-Malmaison (92). Belgian art historian Jean-Christophe Hubert argues that his exhibition for the general public brings together for the first time “Japanism, Impressionism and the Manga Universe”. The subject was however masterfully discussed with “Samurai in kawaii”in 2018-2019 at the Dauphinois Museum in Grenoble (Isère) then at the Abbey of Daoulas (Finistère), in 2024. The exhibition brought together 300 objects, from armor to pop culture with its arcade games, animated films and manga, including a relevant presentation of Japanism. Let us recognize, however, that Jean-Christophe Hubert and Bryan Lecomte (producer and scenographer) offer a good popularization of Japanese art from the 19th century to the present day.

Built around 200 works and objects, exclusively in private collections, the route first allows an approach to the daily life of the wealthy social classes of Japan at the EDO (1603–1868) and Meiji (1868–1912). We see porcelain, armor, a hood of a firefighter samurai, tobacco pipes, a rare illustrated encyclopedia, toilet objects, etc. A beautiful place is given to the prints Ukiyo-e : all of Thirty-six views of Mount Fuji of Hokusai (46 prints in reality), a selection of Fifty-three tokaïdo stations Hiroshige and its Edo viewsfemale figures of Utamaro, portraits of actors from Toshusai Sharaku are exhibited. These prints are not original prints, but you can admire more precious pieces: Fish (around 1795), an original Hokusai drawing, of the first black prints of his A hundred views of Mount Fuji (1834-1840) or a scene from the said of the Genji (around 1895), watercolor and ink on paper from the least famous Shoen Uemura. The highlight of the Edo-Meiji part is a extremely rare suite of 28 paintings on paper washi Made in 1836 by a pupil of Hokusai, Yashima Gakutei, to illustrate writings and poems by Hishiya Kozaburo.

Finally, manga and animated enthusiasts will appreciate the original drawings of Akira Toriyama for Dragon Ball (1986-1989) or Eiichiro Oda for One Piece (1997), or doga (intermediate drawings) ofAstro Boy, the little robot (1986) by Osuma Tezuka. Creations of Ads Libitum which mix Ukiyo-e And manga and a set of figurines and statues of manga heroes complete the route.

On the other hand, those who expected a lot from the game showing “How the Japanese print revolutionized the Western look” will be disappointed. Four lithographs from Toulouse-Lautrec, two degas monotypes and a pastel of Monet, Étretat – Manneporte to sunset (Around 1885), almost illustrated the subject alone. And nothing is shown from Japanism in the decorative arts that the general public, at the time, knew much better than that of painters: at least, elements of Rousseau Service In earthenware presented at the Universal Exhibition of 1867 and decorated by Félix Bracquemond, who had inspired Japanese prints, would have had their place here.