Exhibition in Bucharest: “Journey Into the World of Meiji Stamps”

Beginning February 11, the ARCUB – Cultural Center of the City of Bucharest presents the exhibition “Journey Into the World of Meiji Stamps,” which reconstructs the universe of Japanese culture at the end of the nineteenth century using over 150 traditional Japanese woodcuts from George Erban’s private collection. Dr. Alexandru Constantin Chituţă curated the show, which may be seen on the first floor of the Gabroveni Inn between February 11 and March 31, 2023.

“Journey to the World of Meiji Stamps” is an event organized by the Capital City Hall, in collaboration with the Brukenthal Museum, on the occasion of His Majesty’s Day The Emperor of Japan, through ARCUB – the Cultural Center of the Municipality of Bucharest and the Directorate of Culture, Education, Tourism, and under the auspices of the Embassy of Japan in Romania.

For the first time, a Bucharest exhibition project offers a comprehensive look at Japanese prints from the Meiji era. In contrast to other Meiji-era stamp exhibitions that only concentrated on one topic, “Journey to the World of Meiji Stamps” thoroughly covers particular themes such as the emperor, theater, Bijin-ga (beautiful ladies), and landscapes.

Collector George Erban provides the Japanese stamps on display at ARCUB. They are Ukiyo-e engravings from the Meiji era towards the end of the nineteenth century. The Ukiyo-e school (lit. “pictures of the ephemeral world”) influenced impressionist painters like Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, and Paul Cezanne by exploring the fascination for the instant, for the present moment, in images.

In addition to the 164 Japanese prints, the exhibition includes paintings on silk, porcelain dishes dating from the Meiji period, illustrated books with original Japanese woodcuts, and kimonos and clothing accessories made available by Mrs. Laura Caraman.

The “Journey to the World of Meiji Stamps” exhibition at ARCUB – Hanul Gabroveni is open from February 11 to March 31, 2023, from 12:00 to 20:00. The show is closed on Mondays.

The exhibition, shown for the first time in 2022 at the Brukenthal National Museum in Sibiu, is part of a one-of-a-kind initiative in Romania spearheaded by collector George Erban to promote the art of Japanese prints and commemorates Japan’s National Day, which is observed on February 23, the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan.

Tickets can be purchased online from arcub.ro, bilet.ro and the ARCUB ticket office (Str. Lipscani, no. 84-90).

Price: 35 lei (Category I). Pupils, students and pensioners who present themselves at the ARCUB Ticket Office with their ID cards/retirement coupons can purchase tickets at 25 lei (Category II).