Richmond Museum welcomes ancient Japan

Jessie Wowk Elementary students Toby Lo, 11, and Michelle Lee, 12, tour a new exhibition at Richmond Museum during the fourth annual Children’s Festival.

Matthew Hoekstra photo

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Some of the oldest artifacts to ever grace Richmond Museum are now on exhibition.

Edo: Arts of Japan’s Last Shogun Age features art and artifacts from the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria’s extensive Japanese collection, works on loan from the Canadian Museum of Civilization and pieces from private individuals.

The travelling exhibition includes one of the few significant palanquins outside of Japan. Highly decorated and detailed, the wooden chair would have been carried by porters using attached wooden rails. It’s one of a host of historic pieces dating from 1603 to 1868, a time in Japanese history known as the Shogun era.

“The reaction to this exhibit has been fantastic,” said Peter Harris, exhibit co-ordinator. “Our opening on Thursday night drew about 200 people, many from Richmond’s Japanese-Canadian community.”

Among those who attended the opening reception, sponsored by the Richmond Sister City Committee and River Rock Casino Resort, was Hideki Ito, Consul General of Japan for Vancouver, and Tetsuya Isono, Consul for Cultural Affairs.

On exhibition are authentic suits of armour from the Edo period, including a variety of art: paintings, prints, ceramics, textiles, religious art and samurai paraphernalia. These works provide viewers with a glimpse into the era’s life and customs.

Harris said the pieces in the show are authentic, but some of the suits of armour have been restored with the help of reproduction accessories.

Edo is the ancient name for the city of Tokyo during a time when Japan was ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family. The military rulers transformed Edo from a fishing village into one of the largest, most populous capital cities in the world.

On Saturday, Feb. 25 from 1 to 4 p.m., the museum will offer free public tours of the show with Maiko Behr, a historian of Japanese art, as part of the Richmond Museum’s Experience Japan Day. Japanese origami, games and music are also included in the afternoon’s activities.

The show runs to May 21.