This paper aims at discussing exhibition exchanges between Korea and Japan from the perspective of ideology and exhibition. The tradition of exchanging exhibitions between Korean and Japanese can be divided into three periods : (1) the premodern per...
This paper aims at discussing exhibition exchanges between Korea and Japan from the perspective of ideology and exhibition. The tradition of exchanging exhibitions between Korean and Japanese can be divided into three periods : (1) the premodern period (before 1905), when Japan especially displayed cultural themes about Korea. (2) Japanese colonial period from 1910 to 1945, and (3) the modern period from 1945 to the present day (2007).
First, the early display of cultural subjects between Korea and Japan largely based on the ideology that the Japanese desired to import advanced foreign culture from abroad, especially that of the closest neighbor country, Korea. As early as the 6th century during the Asuka(飛鳥) period, Japanese already displayed Korean Buddhist art. After such spiritual beginning with Korean Buddhist art, exquisite Korean stoneware tea bowls became greatly admired items in Japanese tea ceremonies. The Joseon dynasty envoys(朝鮮通信使) sent to Tokugawa bakufu(?川幕府) introduced Korean sophisticated culture including music, literature, calligraphy and painting, archery, chariotriding based on the Six Arts(六藝) of Confucianism, together with special letter from the King of Jonseon to Tokugawa Bakufu. These early events can be considered as a type of exhibition prior to western style museums started to appear in Korea and Japan.
Second, from 1910 to 1945 during Japanese colonial period, due to political consideration, Japan introduced Japanese art as well as museum system into Korea. It is based on her admiration toward European art and culture, which prompted Japan to apply its museum system to Korea in 1915 to spread Japanese ideology and colonial policy. Japan ordered the royal palace to be opened to the public in 1909 under the new name of Yi Royal Art Museum(李王家博物館). In 1915, the Japanese colonial authority established the socalled Imperial Museum(?督府博物館) in Seoul, Korea. Within Japan, Japanese in meiji era had already brought in European museum concept and tried to begin the first Japanese museum at Yushima temple(湯島聖堂) for Wien Expo in 1872. in addition, Japan was eager to promote their modern art to show off their success in the Westernized modernism.
More recently, after the 1965 normalization of diplomatic relation between Korea and Japan, the leading national museums in Korea and Japan have sent exhibitions to each other’s cities with their own special interest in order to highlight the power of culture.
Tokyo National Museum has displayed Korean art since they opened Asian Art Gallery(東洋館) in 1968 even though it is rather controversial. After that, several major special exhibitions have taken place, such as: Five thousand years of Korean art (1976), Silla (1983), the Joseon dynasty envoys (1985), and Culture of Kaya (1992). Besides the national museums, museums from different prefectures and private museums have held thematic exhibitions on Korean art.
In 1986, the National Museum of Korea established an Asian art gallery which included Japanese art. From 1986 to 1994, the National Museum of Korea had borrowed Japanese cultural properties from the collection of the Tokyo National Museum, focusing on archeological artifacts, metal art, and ceramics which are related to Korean culture.
Recently, when it reopened the new museum building by the Han River in 2005, the National Museum of Korea proudly established its new Japanese gallery with the aim of increasing Korean’s understanding of Japanese art and culture. From 2005 to 2007 the most unique Japanese art such as pottery haniwa figures, makie lacquer and textile, etc., were showcased in exhibitions.
Undoubtedly, 2002 is a turning point for both countries in regard to exchange exhibitions. Korea and Japan each organized a magnificent exhibition with national treasures for the other side. To be precise, the National Museum of Korea in that year held a special exhibition of Japanese treasures with the Japanese Agency of Cultural affairs, w