Colors of Japan – Woodblock Prints from the Collection of the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek München

From March 27 to July 6, 2025, the exhibition „Colors of Japan – Woodblock Prints from the Collection of the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek München“ (Bavarian State Library Munich) will feature works by well-known Japanese artists such as Utamaro, Hokusai, Hiroshige, Yoshitoshi and Hasui. The most famous work of this art form, Hokusai’s “Great Wave”, is also on display.

The entire spectrum of woodblock prints printed in color is presented in more than 130 exhibits, including lavishly illustrated books, rare triptychs and impressive single-sheet prints such as Hokusai’s „Under the Wave in the Sea off Kanagawa“, known as the „Great Wave“. This global icon of art has been acquired for the collection in recent years, as have two other outstanding woodcuts by Hokusai – „Summer Storm at the Foot of the Mountain“ and „South Wind, Clear Weather“. All three prints are from the famous woodcut series „Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji“, which was published from 1830 onwards. They form the exceptional highlight of the exhibition.

When Japanese woodblock prints reached Europe and North America in large numbers from the middle of the 19th century, they triggered an almost enthusiastic reception and fascination there that remains unbroken to this day: through their special aesthetics, their wealth of patterns and details, their pictorial language and not least through their colorfulness. Originally created as commercial art, many woodblock prints are now regarded as works of art of the highest order.

The Bayerische Staatsbibliothek’s Japanese collection comprises around 90,000 printed volumes, 100 manuscripts and 1,000 broadsheets. A selection of over 300 Japanese woodblock prints has already been digitized and can be viewed in the Digital Collections of the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek.

Many works can be viewed in an excellently designed virtual exhibition with detailed information. Audio guides (in German) also provide expert accompaniment to the digital exhibits.

A generous catalog has been published to accompany the exhibition.
Farben Japans – Holzschnitte aus der Sammlung der Bayerischen Staatsbibliothek Berlin : Kerber, 2025, 376 Seiten : überwiegend farbige Illustrationen ISBN 978-3-7356-0996-0