Exhibition: Japan: Myths to Manga

From Hokusai to Pokémon, Studio Ghibli, robots and beyond, the exhibition takes young visitors on an atmospheric and playful journey revealing the influence of folklore on Japan’s art and design.

From visual art, animation and origami to curious creatures, robots, fashion, film, and photography, Japan: Myths to Manga celebrates the spirit of playfulness and imagination that lies at the heart of Japanese culture. New acquisitions and rarely seen works from across the V&A’s collections will be brought together with important loans and reimagined for young people and their families, while an exciting selection of hands- on activities are set to spark creativity and imagination among visitors of all ages.

Japan: Myths to Manga will feature works by celebrated 19th century Japanese artists, such as Hiroshige, Hokusai, Kunisada and Kuniyoshi alongside precious kimono and cute netsuke. The exhibition will explore how Pokémon, Studio Ghibli and the timeless yokai manga of Shigeru Mizuki have drawn inspiration from Japan’s folktales to create some of popular culture’s most beloved characters. It will also show how these myths and the values they embody continue to inspire generations of artists and designers including Keita Miyazaki, Mariko Kusumoto, Noritaka Tatehana, and Yuken Teruya.

A poignant installation of 1,000 paper cranes, a symbol of remembrance from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Japan will also be on display.