After Japan finally opened up to foreign trade during the mid- to late 1800s, many of the West's well-known 20th-century art movements were, perhaps surprisingly, strongly influenced by Japanese art. Japonism became a part of Impressionism, Aestheticism and Art Nouveau, with Japanese aesthetics, themes and motifs appearing in paintings, drawings, objets d'art and the decorative arts.
This exhibition is the first major showing of works on loan from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, that specifically explores the cross-cultural exchange between the West and Japan. With around 150 works, including those by European, American and Japanese artists, highlights include Claude Monet's "La Japonaise," which is being shown for the first time since its conservation, and various ukiyo-e paintings and prints; June 28-Sept. 14.
Setagaya Art Museum; 1-2 Kinuta-koen, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo. Yoga Stn. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. ¥1,500. Closed Mon. 03-3415-6011; www.setagayaartmuseum.or.jp
