This exhibition showcases approximately 350 extraordinary works spanning Japan’s rich ceramic history, from hand-built figurines rooted in spiritual beliefs to contemporary sculptural art. Featuring pieces from the Museum’s Harry G. C. Packard Collection, it marks the 50th anniversary of this landmark acquisition. The display traces pottery’s evolution over 12,000 years, highlighting mediaeval influences from China and Korea, and the unique Japanese art of kintsugi—repairing broken ceramics with gold lacquer. Visitors will discover everyday tableware, vessels for tea ceremonies, and Edo period porcelain adorned with nature motifs and symbols of happiness, longevity and good fortune. By presenting ceramics alongside lacquers, textiles and paintings, the exhibition provides rich cultural context, deepening appreciation for Japanese ceramic artistry and its diverse forms and functions.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art —“The Infinite Artistry of Japanese Ceramics”
