My Visit to the Sumida Hokusai Museum: Experiencing Heian Elegance Through Ukiyo-e! 🎨✨

#summervacay On my last trip to Tokyo, I really wanted to visit the Sumida Hokusai Museum, but time just didn't allow it. This time, I made sure it was a priority! I was incredibly lucky to catch the "Elegance of Heian" (平安のみやび) special exhibition, which was exactly the kind of theme I love – and it was closing on the 24th, so I rushed over as soon as I got back to Tokyo! Special Exhibition: Heian Court Life on Display (3rd Floor) The special exhibition was on the 3rd floor, showcasing ukiyo-e prints by Hokusai and his disciples, inspired by Heian period literature. What surprised me was how small many of the works were! Despite their size, it didn't detract from their exquisite detail. The last few pieces, in particular, left me in awe: the individual strands of hair on the court ladies were depicted with incredible precision, the colors in the images were rich and vibrant, and the paper even had subtle embossed patterns. Considering these were produced with hand-carved woodblocks, it truly speaks to an extraordinary level of craftsmanship and dedication! There were also a few nikuhitsu (hand-painted)美人図 (bijinga, or beautiful women pictures). While not by Hokusai himself, I particularly loved the design on one of the beauties' kimonos, which had playing cards featuring courtesans printed on it – a really cool touch! Permanent Collection: Hokusai's Masterpieces (4th Floor) The 4th floor houses the permanent exhibition, divided into two halls. One hall organizes Hokusai's works by his creative periods, offering a chronological journey through his different styles. Each artwork has an electronic screen in front of it where you can tap to read descriptions, and I was glad to see multiple language options, including Chinese. It was an incredible experience to finally delve into Hokusai's world and see how he and his pupils captured the refined beauty of the Heian era. #sumidahokusaimuseum #hokusai #ukiyoe #heianperiod #japaneseart