Curated by Catherine David, Curatorial Intern

Nakabayashi Chikuto (1776-1853), Green Valley, Blue Mountains: Landscape in the Manner of Dong Yuan, ink on silk, hanging scroll. Click here for larger image.

The Japanese government of the Edo period (1615-1868) placed tight controls on travel both within and to and from Japan. They designed their impressive highway system primarily for official traffic, and limited travel by commoners to religious pilgrimage. Foreign travel by the Japanese was forbidden on pain of death. The government's policy of 'closed country' also restricted foreign visitors to Japan to a handful of Dutch, Chinese, and Korean merchants allowed to trade in far-off Nagasaki, Japan's southernmost port.

By the end of the 17th century, however, the roads were positively teeming with travelers, and foreign influence was spreading from Nagasaki throughout the land. Using works from or related to the period, this exhibition explores travel's role in Edo-period pictorial arts. The title phrase 'traveling images' refers both to images of real travel, and to the journey of pictorial styles and themes between different countries, ages, and even between members of the same artistic school.

Among the best-loved 'traveling images' of Edo-period Japan are wood-block prints of travel by Hiroshige. The Center is pleased to exhibit a selection of these, on loan from the Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena. Also showcased will be a newly acquired folding screen, and paintings on long-term loan from the Carol Brooks Collection and the Addiss-Seo Collection of Nanga Art, along with rarely seen works from the Lee Center Permanent Collection.

Nearly one hundred Japanese masterpieces from the Lee Center Collection have now 'traveled' back to their original home for a one-year five-museum tour - giving this exhibition special resonance at this time.

Artist unknown (Edo period),Oetsu-e Demon, ink and colors on paper, hanging scroll. Click here for larger image.

Hidenobu (Edo period), Landscape with Fantastic Animals, ink and colors on silk, hanging scroll. Click here for larger image.

Artist unknown (late Edo period), Procession of Insects, ink and light colors on silk, hanging scroll. Click here for larger image.

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