Love Island: Japanese Weddings of the Edo Period
On view December 16, 2023-October 6, 2024 at Dallas Museum of Art
Spectacular Works of Japanese Art from Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Are Now on View at the DMA
Lavish bridal works included in the Museum’s free general admission.
Dallas, TX—December 20, 2023—Now on view at the Dallas Museum of Art, Love Island: Japanese Weddings of the Edo Period explores the exquisite artistry and craftsmanship of some of the important elements of an Edo period bridal trousseau and touches on the strategic alliances that were created between Edo Japan’s Tokugawa shogunate and daimyo (provincial feudal lords) through matrimony. Featuring a selection of elegant and luxurious bridal objects on loan from The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, this installation is included in the Museum’s free general admission and will remain on view on Level Three in the Asian Art galleries of the DMA through October 6, 2024.
During the Edo period (1615–1868), Japan’s social structure was dominated by the Tokugawa shogun’s military government regime. Families of the shogunate and daimyo arranged strategic marriages to establish strong alliances. Once an engagement was announced, wealthy daimyo commissioned magnificent bridal trousseaus for their daughters. These trousseaus symbolized the family’s power, prestige, social rank and political alliances. This presentation focuses on the daimyo bride and features important elements that would have been included in an Edo period bridal trousseau. The works on display include a toilette set (items used for dressing and self-adornment) that once belonged to a member of the Tokugawa ruling clan, an incense guessing game set and a lavish wedding kimono. In exchange, the Dallas Museum of Art has lent the bronze sculptural masterpiece Dragon King Presenting a Jewel to Fujiwara no Hidesato to The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston to be showcased in an upcoming exhibition.
"We are grateful to The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston for this wonderful collaboration between our two institutions. This reciprocal exchange of important loans allows both of our institutions to showcase our treasures of Asian art across Texas,” said Dr. Jacqueline Chao, The Cecil and Ida Green Curator of Asian Art and curator of the exhibition. “This exciting group of objects offers a view into the masterful artistry, diverse textures and detailed complexity that can be found in Japanese art, and encourages visitors to engage in close looking. We look forward to not only sharing these magnificent works of art with our guests, but also helping to further understanding and appreciation of high-level Japanese craftsmanship.”
Support
Love Island: Japanese Weddings of the Edo Period is organized by the Dallas Museum of Art. Free General Admission to the Dallas Museum of Art is made possible with generous support from the Robert Gerard Pollock Foundation. The Dallas Museum of Art is supported, in part, by the generosity of DMA Members and donors, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture.
About the Dallas Museum of Art
Established in 1903, the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) is among the 10 largest art museums in the country. With a free general admission policy and community outreach efforts, the DMA is distinguished by its commitment to research, innovation and public engagement. At the heart of the Museum and its programs is its global collection, which encompasses 25,000 works and spans 5,000 years of history, representing a full range of world cultures. Located in the nation’s largest arts district, the Museum acts as a catalyst for community creativity, engaging people of all ages and backgrounds with a diverse spectrum of programming, from exhibitions and lectures to concerts, literary events and dramatic and dance presentations. The DMA is an Open Access institution, allowing all works believed to be in the public domain to be freely available for downloading, sharing, repurposing and remixing without restriction. For more information, visit dma.org.
Free General Admission to the Dallas Museum of Art is made possible with generous support from the Robert Gerard Pollock Foundation. The Dallas Museum of Art is supported, in part, by the generosity of DMA Members and donors, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture.
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For more information, please contact:
Regional Media:
Aschelle Morgan
Director of External Affairs
214-922-1802
amorgan@dma.org
Ellee McMeans
Public Relations Manager
214-922-1233
emcmeans@dma.org
National / International Media:
Maria May / Delaney Smith / Elyse Howell
Resnicow and Associates
214-207-6082 / 212-671-5160 / 212-671-5188
mmay@resnicow.com / dsmith@resnicow.com / ehowell@resnicow.com
Opener Image: Uchikake (Wedding Kimono), late 19th century. Japan. Silk and gold. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, museum purchase funded by Ms. Miwa S. Sakashita and Dr. John R. Shoehlein, 2018.210. Photograph © The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Thomas R. DuBrock.
Header Image: Shogunal Wedding Set, 18th century. Unknown Japanese artist. Wood and lacquer with gold and silver maki-e, gilt bronze, and fur. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Museum purchase funded by Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc. in honor of its 15th anniversary; Nanako and Dale Tingleaf; the Japan Business Association of Houston; Stephen Hamilton; Dr. Ninan and Sushila Mathew; Barbara E. Butler; Keiji Asakura; and Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Lee Dunn III, 2006.388.1–.14. Photograph © The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Thomas R. DuBrock.
Gallery Images: Photographs courtesy of the author.
