Ukiyo. Japan's floating world in colored woodcuts and netsukeJapanese art from the collection of the Kunstsammlungen und Museen Augsburg

17.04.–19.07.2026 at Grafisches Kabinett

The Kunstsammlungen hold two distinct collections of Japanese art: a collection of so-called ukiyo-e, multicoloured woodblock prints, the donor of which is unknown, and a collection of 26 netsuke (pendants). The latter is a collection belonging to Horst and Marlies Weinold, which Marlies Weinold donated to the Kunstsammlungen in 2015.

The pieces on display in the Grafische Kabinett shed light on a period when Japan had little contact with European countries: the Tokugawa shogunate from 1603 to 1867. Whilst the colour woodblock prints offer an insight into everyday life and leisure activities, particularly the Kabuki theatre, the motifs of the netsuke, which served as good-luck charms, reveal fundamental aspects of literature, folk beliefs and group affiliations. The distinctive style of these works differs significantly from European art.

All interested parties are cordially invited to the opening on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 6 p.m. in the Speisezimmer of the Schaezlerpalais.