This milestone exhibition at the Tokyo Station Gallery commemorates the 150th anniversary of the opening of Japan’s railway system in 1872. You’ll find 150 or so exhibits focussing on the history of railway in Japan, including nishiki-e woodblock prints, oil paintings, nihonga and photos. The works are displayed in chronological order to highlight the evolution in Japan’s rail network as well as the corresponding transition in train-inspired art.
Highlights include the ‘Gokuraku-yuki no Kisha’ (‘The Steam Train Towards Paradise’, 1872, on display until Nov 6) from Kyosai Kawanabe’s ‘Jigoku Gokuraku Meguri-zu’, a painting series illustrating the pilgrimage of hell and paradise. Don’t miss the ‘Yokohama Kaigan Tetsudo Jokisha-zu’ (around 1874) by Hiroshige Utagawa III as well. This ukiyo-e woodblock print shows a steam train on the Yokohama Coastal Railway.
The Tokyo Station Gallery is open from 10am to 6pm, until 8pm on Fridays. Ticket prices have yet to be announced.