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- foreword
In presenting "The Arts of Meiji Japan: Changing Aesthetics" now, we do so a century after the peak of the Meiji period and on the eve of not only a century change but a millennium change. The end of the last century was one of the tremendous burgeon�ing of the arts, east and west. It was witnessed in the Meiji period in Japan and, likewise so, in Britain with the arts and crafts movement; in Europe with the art nouveau and succes�sion movements; and followed in the early twentieth century with the growth of expressionism, cubism and abstraction. It was perhaps that century change which had the greatest geographic spread of new artistic expression in history. Many of these "new" expressions were fuelled by technological and industrial development; others resulted from financial and eco�nomic shifts.
Japan in the Meiji period certainly saw phenomenal changes in society, political structure, economic health and, so too, in the arts. Japanese society has always been one which adapts seem- ingly easily to change; is one which has been acutely aware of the progress and expression in other cultures; and one which has quickly developed its own art form in response to social and cultural needs while recognizing others new artistic develop�ments. This was particularly true in the Meiji period�a period which became the foundation of modern Japan.
4 / MEIJI
The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is very pleased to present this exhibition and publication rich with the artistic expression of the Meiji artists working in a great variety of media. May it assist us in our understanding of this century as we turn to the next.
My congratulations and thanks go to all those who have generously given to the collections of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria over the past decades, thus providing the resource from which this special exhibition has been drawn. Thanks, too, go to all the lenders whose collections have augmented our own. To Barry Till, Curator of Asian Art, go my particular thanks and appreciation. I add mine as well to all those who have assisted him.
Special recognition is extended to the Museums Assistance Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage for funding the exhibition and publication.
Patricia E. Bovey Director August, 1995
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