Exhibit Introduction

More Things Japanese

November 15, 2025 - May 31, 2026

More Things, Japanese is an encyclopedic exhibition that showcases the richness and diversity of traditional Japanese art, spanning from the 6th–7th centuries through the 20th centuries. Featuring a wide array of historical objects—including ceramics, textiles, paintings, woodblock prints, and religious artifacts—this exhibition invites audiences to engage more deeply with Japan’s visual, material, and spiritual culture.

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The title More Things, Japanese is both a gentle provocation and a generous invitation. While many Chicagoans may feel acquainted with Japanese culture through sushi restaurants, ramen shops, gardens, and seasonal festivals, this exhibition offers a chance to go further—to explore more things, more stories, and more perspectives.

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As part of the Heritage Museum of Asian Art’s ongoing commitment to amplifying underrepresented narratives within the Asian American experience, the exhibition also honors the history and contributions of Japanese Americans in Chicago. In the wake of World War II and Japanese internment, many families resettled in the Midwest, including here in Chicago. Over time, their presence has become less visible. Through this exhibition and its related programs, we seek to re-center those stories and celebrate the enduring cultural legacy of the Japanese American community.

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Highlights include masterworks of early Japanese art, Edo-period prints and scrolls, and domestic and ceremonial objects that speak to everyday life and philosophical tradition. Accompanying the main exhibition, a rotating pop-up series will present works by local Japanese and Japanese American artists—showcasing how Japanese art and culture have continued to thrive across both geographic and generational boundaries. A robust slate of public programs—including workshops, artist talks, and community events—will celebrate the ongoing influence of Japanese aesthetics, philosophy, and craftsmanship within Chicago’s contemporary art and cultural landscape.

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Exhibition Timeline:

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Nov 15, 2025 - May 31, 2026:   More Things, Japanese

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Nov 15, 2025 – Jan 15, 2026:   Circumference of the Sun 

                                                   featuring Kioto Aoki

Jan 21, 2026 – Mar 29, 2026:    Unison: Obsessive Eye

                                                   featuring Mayumi Lake

Apr 3, 2026 – May 31, 2026:      反響 Hankyo:

                                                    The Impact of Japanese Performing Arts

                                                    in Chicago

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Press Release​

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