Bologna’s Civic Archaeological Museum will present “Graphic Japan: From Hokusai to Manga” from November 20 to April 6, Italy’s first major exhibition chronicling the extraordinary evolution of Japanese graphic arts. This comprehensive showcase traces the journey from Edo-period ukiyo-e prints (1603-1868) – the celebrated “images of the Floating World” – to contemporary manga and posters, revealing how Japanese visual language became a global phenomenon.
Curated by Rossella Menegazzo with Eleonora Lanza, the exhibition explores the artistic roots that maintain visual identity while constantly renewing through centuries. The thematic presentation features over 200 works across four sections: Nature, Figures, Sign, and Contemporary Japonism. Diverse artifacts including woodblock prints, illustrated books, posters, and fabric-dyeing stencils (katagami) demonstrate cross-disciplinary influences spanning calligraphy, theater, fashion, cinema, and comic art.
The chronological journey highlights masters like Hokusai alongside modern manga artists, emphasizing technical innovations, material transformations, and the seamless fusion of tradition with modernity. Each piece contributes to a narrative that resonates across generations, showcasing Japanese graphics not as mere decoration but as dynamic visual expression. The exhibition particularly examines how artisanal craftsmanship intersects with creative innovation, revealing ongoing cultural dialogues that continue to shape global art traditions.