Princess Kako Explores Japanese Art on Visit to Greece

Princess Kako, the second daughter of Crown Prince Akishino, arrived in Athens, the capital of Greece, on May 26. During the day, she visited the Parthenon temple at the Acropolis and engaged in discussions with Greek individuals honored in Japan. Later, she stayed overnight in Athens.

The princess departed from Haneda Airport on the morning of May 25 (JST) aboard a private plane. She transited through the United Kingdom before arriving in Greece. Throughout her visit, Princess Kako participated in commemorative events celebrating the 125th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Japan and Greece. In addition, she also paid a courtesy visit to President Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

A Unique Link to Japan

On May 30, Princess Kako visited the Museum of Asian Art on the island of Corfu in Greece. Home to some 15,000 artworks, the museum includes pieces from Japan, China, and India. It has a unique link to Japan, housing treasures such as the ethereal woodblock prints by the Edo-period ukiyo-e artist Toshusai Sharaku. 

Established in 1928, the museum showcases a collection mainly contributed by Greek diplomat Gregorios Manos, sourced from countries such as France and Austria. Over 40% of the collection consists of Japanese artworks. There are over 6,200 pieces, ranging from Jomon-period stone tools to Edo-era Noh masks and cosmetics. Particularly noteworthy is its extensive selection of Japanese paintings, including ukiyo-e from the 17th to 19th centuries.

Of particular significance are the hand-painted works by Toshusai Sharaku. Sharaku, known to have worked for only about ten months beginning May 1794, produced ukiyo-e prints during this brief period. The fan-shaped ukiyo-e artwork in the museum, measuring 17.4 cm by 46.6 cm, portrays a scene from the Kabuki play Kanadehon Chushingura. It is believed that Sharaku, who had already retired, created this piece at the behest of a Kabuki enthusiast in 1795.

More Japanese Art to Discover

In 2008, a team of Japanese researchers examined Sharaku's brushstrokes and seals, affirming his authorship of the paintings. Team member Professor Masato Naito from Keio University remarked on the discovery's significance. "The late 19th-century Japonism movement, particularly prominent in France and Germany, disseminated across various countries," he said. "Even today, many Japanese collections in foreign museums remain unknown to us Japanese scholars."

On May 30, as she observed Sharaku's ukiyo-e at the museum, Princess Kako inquired about storage methods. She also expressed gratitude for their "meticulous care in preserving" the work.

Professor Naito says, "Since the Meiji Restoration, many ukiyo-e prints have ended up overseas. Without Japonism, they might have been discarded. He also expressed his hope that "Japanese people could come to learn about the Greeks' interest in and appreciation for ukiyo-e."

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(Read the article in Japanese.)

Author: Tomomi Yoshizawa, The Sankei Shimbun