The Frist Art Museum presents “Journey through Japan: Myths to Manga,” an exhibition that shows how imagination, playfulness, and the environment have inspired Japan’s folklore, design, and technology through the centuries. Organized by London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, “Journey through Japan” will be on view through February 16, 2025 in the Frist’s Upper-Level Galleries.
Designed with younger audiences in mind, yet fun and fascinating for all ages, this exhibition offers a colorful, atmospheric exploration of Japan’s visual culture. Divided into four thematic sections — Sky, Sea, Forest, and City — it presents more than 150 historic and contemporary objects, ranging from netsuke, origami, and woodblock prints to animated movies, graphic novels, and robots.
“Dynamic and innovative, this exhibition celebrates Japanese art and design of many different time periods,” writes Frist Art Museum curator at large Trinita Kennedy. “Ukiyo-e prints by Hiroshige and Hokusai from the 1800s are displayed alongside games and youth street fashion from the 2000s.” It demonstrates how works such as Studio Ghibli’s iconic animation and Shigeru Mizuki’s timeless manga have drawn inspiration from Japan’s folktales to create beloved characters in pop culture.
“Journey through Japan” also spotlights the current generation of Japanese artists and designers such as Mariko Kusumoto, Keita Miyazaki, and Noritaka Tatehana, as well as the creativity of young people. The latter includes a poignant installation of one thousand paper cranes—a symbol of remembrance from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park made by school children.
November 8 is the final Frist Friday of 2024 celebrating “Journey through Japan,” “María Magdalena Campos-Pons: Behold,” and “LaJuné McMillian: The Portal’s Keeper — Origins.” Let the exhibitions inspire your attire and get ready for an exciting evening of music, art, and fun you won’t want to miss, featuring a DJ set from Amy Darling, 8:00 – 11:00 p.m.; “Journey through Japan” tour with with Joseph Gutierrez, API Middle Tennessee, 8:30 – 9:00 p.m.; and “Behold” gallery talk with Michael Ewing, 9:30 – 10:00 p.m. Throughout the night, Martin ArtQuest has after-hours artmaking; get a one – of – a – kind custom portrait done by artist Pink Pizzza or join printmaker Daryl Howard to create a traditional style Japanese woodblock print. Tickets are General Admission: $30; Frist members: $15 VIP Admission: $100; Frist members: $80 All tickets include event, gallery, and ArtQuest admission;VIP tickets include a pre-party from 7:00 – 8:00 pm with exhibition inspired bites, drink tickets, and early-gallery access. Frist Friday is adults only; ages 21+
Frist Arts Fest, for all ages, is Sunday, November 17, from 1:00 – 5:30 p.m.; admission is free for members and guests ages 18 and younger; $15 for adults* ; $3 for EBT cardholders (with ID, per adult for up to 4 adults). A day of performances, art making, music, and more celebrates the exhibitions. Events include Charm Boxes (Studio A), Koi Windsocks (Studio B), Kokeshi Dolls (Studio C), Glass Blowing Demonstrations (Turner Courtyard), New Challenger: Fighting Game Demos (Rechter Room), Japanese Calligraphy (Upper-Level Foyer), Lawn Games (Turner Courtyard), Origami Creations (Upper-Level Galleries), Kawaii Portraits (Grand Lobby), Nashville Bonsai Society Display (Upper-Level Foyer), Multisensory Cart (Ingram and Upper-Level Galleries), Scavenger Hunt (Grand Lobby), Photo booth (Grand Lobby), Tabletop Games (Grand Lobby); a performance by Sunrise Latin Band (Auditorium / 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.); Docent-Guided Tours (2:30 – 3:00 p.m. / Japan / Upper-Level Galleries) and 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Behold / Ingram Gallery); Mochi Pounding (Turner Courtyard); a performance by Nashville Taiko (Auditorium /3:30 – 4:00 p.m.); and an Architecture Tour (Grand Lobby / 4:30 – 5:00 p.m.)
