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Download free Zoom backgrounds of Japanese art for your next video call

The National Institute of Japanese Literature now offers free backgrounds for your online meetings and chats

Emma Steen
Written by
Emma Steen
Former writer, Time Out Tokyo
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Decluttering your bedroom – aka home office – before every video call can be a chore. Fortunately, a good digital background can instantly hide any unsightly mess while also providing you with some privacy. And with the barrage of elaborate backgrounds available out there, having the coolest backdrop in any Zoom conference has become something of a competition for some.

National Institute of Japanese Literature
Photo: National Institute of Japanese Literature

The National Institute of Japanese Literature is the latest establishment to upload its own digital backgrounds for free download, offering ten unique artworks based on Japanese literature. Some of the older art date back to the Heian period (794-1185) whereas newer ones, like the depiction of Ginza, were created in the early Meiji period (1868-1912). The collection even includes an illustration based on the classic literature ‘Tale of Genji’, which is thought to be the world’s first novel. 

National Institute of Japanese Literature
Photo: National Institute of Japanese Literature

The website features a vast database of literary works and learning materials for those who want to know more about the themes and history of early Japanese literature. But, you could also select a background purely to match the mood or occasion of the video call. A scene inspired by the ‘Tale of Ise’ can serve as a reminder for everyone to take their government-approved lockdown stroll, whereas the 1888 ‘Privy Council Meeting’ would be fitting for a formal work conference. 

You can download the backgrounds from the official website here


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