2021 / Japan House Webinar: Woodblock-printed and Real Journeys Through Japan, May 18, 5:00-6:00PM, PDT

Hodogaya on the Tōkaidō Road from the series Thirty-Six Views of Mt. Fuji by Katsushika Hokusai, c. 1829.

Japan House
Webinar | Woodblock-printed and Real Journeys Through Japan
Tuesday, May 18
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (PDT)

Register

Many of the woodblock-printed landscapes featured in the NATURE/SUPERNATURE exhibition depict places throughout the country that were popular destinations for travelers in the Edo period (1603-1868).

The images were published and sold in the capital, Edo (modern Tokyo) and often provided Edo residents with inspiration for trips around the country and visual reminders of past travels.

However, for those unable to travel, the prints also fueled dreams of journeys to beautiful places – much like photographs and videos today fill our dreams of future travel.

Art historian and travel expert, Anne Alene, will discuss the nature of domestic travel in Japan during the Edo period, exploring who was traveling and where, and the role the government played in establishing the travel infrastructure that became the foundation for today’s travel industry.

She will be joined by Siobhan Aamoth of Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), who will share insights and information about travel around Japan today and post-pandemic – including to some of the places featured in the prints in the exhibition.

The presentations will be followed by a discussion and Q&A.