“Adaptation and Transformation” is the newest UMFA permanent collection exhibition devoted to Asian art. This new gallery of Japanese art joins “Greater Merit: The Temple” and “Image in South Asia and Chinese Art: Emulation and Innovation.” “Adaptation and Transformation” explores how Japanese artists over the last thousand years have responded to internal and external events and influences in their art-making.
Visitors will find a striking suit of samurai armor whose plates were designed to absorb firearms introduced to Japan in the 1500s. They’ll also see an impressive articulated raptor that demonstrates how a maker of armor transformed his skills to create an intricate moving sculpture. Also on display are a katana and a wakizashi that reflect the 1000-year-plus tradition of Japanese sword making.
Visitors will also see regular rotations of the Museum’s growing woodblock print collection. These rotations will feature works from various eras from well-known artists like Hiroshige, Hokusai, and Hasui.
