What this is
Karl Walser spent several months in Japan in 1908 and came back with sketches and paintings of Meiji-era life — kabuki performances, the Gion Festival, everyday customs — that form one of the most distinctive sections of this retrospective at Nakanoshima Museum of Art. The Swiss artist (1877–1943) is less known in Japan than he deserves to be, and this comprehensive survey brings together paintings, drawings, illustrations, and stage designs from his career, much of it produced during his prolific Berlin years.
Who should go
Anyone interested in how early 20th-century European artists interpreted Japan will find the 1908 travel works genuinely surprising. Fine art enthusiasts and fans of Meiji-period visual culture are the core audience, but the stage design work also appeals to those with an interest in theatre history.
Good to know
Tickets for special exhibitions at Nakanoshima Museum of Art are typically purchased at the venue box office or in advance via eplus.jp or pia.jp, both of which accept foreign credit cards. The museum opened in 2022 and is a modern, well-organised space with clear English signage throughout — one of the more foreigner-friendly art venues in Osaka. Photography policies vary by exhibition, so check at the entrance desk. The museum has a café and a design shop worth browsing after the show. Allow 90 minutes to two hours for a thorough visit.
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.