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      Japanese Art

      PEM holds a remarkable array of objects from everyday life in 19th-century Japan.

      Japanese Art

      PEM’s relationship with Japan extends back more than 200 years.

      With significant holdings of everyday objects from life in 19th-century Japan complemented by examples of more traditional fine arts, the museum’s Japanese collection is distinguished by its range, from paintings and sculpture to decorative arts, costumes and textiles. Spanning Hokkaido in the North to Okinawa in the South, and prehistoric periods to the present, these objects illuminate the country's varied artistic and cultural traditions.

      Until the end of the Edo period (1615–1868), the Dutch were the only European merchants permitted to trade with Japan. Between 1797 and 1807, however, the Dutch East India Company chartered twelve American ships to sail to the island nation. Among them, the Franklin and the Margaret set sail from Salem, reaching Nagasaki Harbor in 1799 and 1801. Ceramics and lacquer brought back on those early voyages were donated to the East India Marine Society. They are considered the earliest Japanese works to enter an American institution.

      Highlights from this collection

      Pumpkin (Akoda), 2008
      Pumpkin (Akoda), 2008

      Katsumata Chieko (b. 1950, Japan)

      Helmet (kabuto) with design of a dragonfly, late 18th to early 19th century

      ON VIEW

      Helmet (kabuto) with design of a dragonfly, late 18th to early 19th century

      Terada Tadatoyo

      On view in the Japanese Art Gallery.

      The Bodhisattva Jizō, 1279

      ON VIEW

      The Bodhisattva Jizō, 1279

      Artists in Japan

      On view in Powerful Figures.

      Surcoat (jinbaori), 18th century

      ON VIEW

      Surcoat (jinbaori), 18th century

      Artists in Japan

      On view in the Sean M. Healey Family Gallery of Asian Export Art.

      Noblewoman’s palanquin (onna norimono), 19th century

      ON VIEW

      Noblewoman’s palanquin (onna norimono), 19th century

      Artists in Japan

      On view in the Japanese Art Gallery.

      Rabbit netsuke, late 18th-early 19th century

      ON VIEW

      Rabbit netsuke, late 18th-early 19th century

      Naito Toyomasa (1773–1856, Japan)

      On view in the Japanese Art Gallery.

      Teacup and saucer, about 1801

      ON VIEW

      Teacup and saucer, about 1801

      Artists in Japan

      On view in Japanomania! Japanese Art Goes Global.

      Brazier in the form of a rabbit, 18th or 19th century
      Brazier in the form of a rabbit, 18th or 19th century

      Artists in Japan

      On view in Salem Stories.

      Portrait of Edward Sylvester Morse, 1913

      ON VIEW

      Portrait of Edward Sylvester Morse, 1913

      Frank Weston Benson (American, 1862–1951)

      On view in Salem Stories.

      Pumpkin (Akoda), 2008
      Pumpkin (Akoda), 2008

      Katsumata Chieko (b. 1950, Japan), Pumpkin (Akoda), 2008. Stoneware with matte glazes. Gift of Carol and Jeffrey Horvitz, 2015.42.5. Photo by Richard P. Goodbody.

      Helmet (kabuto) with design of a dragonfly, late 18th to early 19th century
      Helmet (kabuto) with design of a dragonfly, late 18th to early 19th century

      Terada Tadatoyo, Helmet (kabuto) with design of a dragonfly, late 18th to early 19th century. Lacquer and shell inlay. Gift of Dr. Charles Goddard Weld, 1904. E7559. Photo by Dennis Helmar.

      On view in the Japanese Art Gallery.

      The Bodhisattva Jizō, 1279
      The Bodhisattva Jizō, 1279

      Artists in Japan, The Bodhisattva Jizō, 1279. Lacquered wood, gold leaf, pigments, copper alloy, and crystal. Gift of Dr. Charles Goddard Weld, 1909. E12068.1AB-.4AB.

      On view in Powerful Figures.

      Shop sign (kanban) advertising medicine for stomach pain, 19th century
      Shop sign (kanban) advertising medicine for stomach pain, 19th century

      Artists in Japan, Shop sign (kanban) advertising medicine for stomach pain, 19th century. Wood, lacquer, pigments, gold, and metal. Museum purchase, made possible by the R. C. Billings Fund, 1914. E15898.

      Surcoat (jinbaori), 18th century
      Surcoat (jinbaori), 18th century

      Artists in Japan, Surcoat (jinbaori), 18th century. Dutch gilt leather and wool, European-printed cotton lining, and silk trim. Museum purchase, made possible by an anonymous donor, 2007. E303608.

      On view in the Sean M. Healey Family Gallery of Asian Export Art.

      Noblewoman’s palanquin (onna norimono), 19th century
      Noblewoman’s palanquin (onna norimono), 19th century

      Artists in Japan, Noblewoman’s palanquin (onna norimono), 19th century. Wood, lacquer, gilded brass, silk, paper, pigments, gold leaf, and bamboo. Museum collection. E37812.

      On view in the Japanese Art Gallery.

      Rabbit netsuke, late 18th-early 19th century
      Rabbit netsuke, late 18th-early 19th century

      Naito Toyomasa (1773–1856, Japan), Rabbit netsuke, late 18th-early 19th century. Ivory. Gift of Ernest Goodrich Stillman, 1947. E26721.

      On view in the Japanese Art Gallery.

      Six-panel screen depicting the arrival of a Portuguese ship for trade (nanban byōbu), early 17th century
      Six-panel screen depicting the arrival of a Portuguese ship for trade (nanban byōbu), early 17th century

      Artists in Japan, Six-panel screen depicting the arrival of a Portuguese ship for trade (nanban byōbu), early 17th century. Ink, color and gold leaf on paper. Museum purchase, made possible by an anonymous donor, 1994. E200727.

      Doll of a woman and child (iki ningyō), 1883
      Doll of a woman and child (iki ningyō), 1883

      Artists in Japan, Doll of a woman and child (iki ningyō), 1883. Gesso over paper, wood, and vegetable fiber. Commissioned by Edward Sylvester Morse for PEM, 1883. E16310.B.

      Kabuki robe (uchikake) with design of tortoise, crane, and pines, 1850–68
      Kabuki robe (uchikake) with design of tortoise, crane, and pines, 1850–68

      Artists in Japan, Kabuki robe (uchikake) with design of tortoise, crane, and pines, 1850–68. Wool, silk, cotton, gold-wrapped thread, and metals. Gift of Dr. William Sturgis Bigelow, 1921. E17983. Photo by Dennis Helmar.

      Teacup and saucer, about 1801
      Teacup and saucer, about 1801

      Artists in Japan, Teacup and saucer, about 1801. Stoneware and lacquered wood. Gift of Captain Samuel G. Derby, 1803. E30279 and E30280.

      On view in Japanomania! Japanese Art Goes Global.

      Brazier in the form of a rabbit, 18th or 19th century
      Brazier in the form of a rabbit, 18th or 19th century

      Artists in Japan, Brazier in the form of a rabbit, 18th or 19th century. Stoneware. Gift of Edward Sylvester Morse, 1900. E5798.

      On view in Salem Stories.

      Portrait of Edward Sylvester Morse, 1913
      Portrait of Edward Sylvester Morse, 1913

      Frank Weston Benson (American, 1862–1951), Portrait of Edward Sylvester Morse, 1913. Oil on canvas. Gift of Edith Owen Robb, 1914. M4311.

      On view in Salem Stories.

      Dejima, the Dutch Trading Station at Nagasaki handscroll, about 1800
      Dejima, the Dutch Trading Station at Nagasaki handscroll, about 1800

      Artists in Nagasaki, Japan, Dejima, the Dutch Trading Station at Nagasaki handscroll, about 1800. Paint and ink on silk. Museum purchase, made possible by an anonymous donor, 1999. E300414.B.

      Loans and acquisitions

      Loans and acquisitions

      PEM is committed to providing the broadest possible access to its collection through the loan of objects for educational and scholarly purposes. Learn how to request a loan from the museum’s collection.

      Keep exploring

      Exhibition

      Japanese Art

      Ongoing

      Exhibition

      Japanomania! Japanese Art Goes Global

      Ongoing

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      Press release

      Significant collection of Japanese Cloisonné enamels to be donated to PEM