From November 6, 2024 to February 1, 2025, the Maison de la culture du Japon à Paris (MCJP) immerses visitors in the vibrant atmosphere of Tokyo's past through a unique exhibition entitled "Tokyo, Birth of a Modern City." Featuring around one hundred works from the collections of the prestigious Edo-Tokyo Museum, the event highlights a city in constant evolution.

A historic metamorphosis

Tokyo, formerly Edo, became the capital in 1868, but it was the Great Kantō Earthquake of 1923 that marked the beginning of a profound urban transformation. This magnitude 7,9 earthquake not only devastated the region but also presented a unique opportunity for reconstruction. Tokyo was reborn under the banner of modernity: a city of steel and concrete emerged, its streets were restructured, and its expansion led to the creation of "Greater Tokyo" in 1932.

The exhibition, carefully orchestrated by Shûko Koyama and Tarô Nitta, curators at the Tokyo Metropolitan Edo-Tokyo Museum, traces this pivotal period through four main themes: Tokyo before the earthquake, the consequences of the earthquake, the reconstruction of the capital, and the emergence of a modern urban culture.

Art as a witness to transformation

At the heart of this historical exploration are the modern prints of the 1920s and 1930s, stemming from the shin hanga (new prints) and sôsaku hanga (creative prints) movements. These prints offer a unique perspective on the changing city. Shin hanga, the product of collaboration between painters, engravers, and printers, subtly capture daily life and urban landscapes. Conversely, sôsaku hanga, produced entirely by a single artist, express a more personal and experimental approach.

Among the artists exhibited, the names of Kawase Hasui, Fujimori Shizuo, and Koizumi Kishio stand out for their masterful way of capturing the soul of Tokyo. Series such as "Twelve Views of Greater Tokyo" and "One Hundred Views of Greater Tokyo in the Showa Era" depict a transformed urban landscape, where tradition and modernity coexist.

Between destruction and rebirth

The 1923 earthquake is a central focus of the exhibition. The section dedicated to this disaster explores its tragic consequences through works depicting the ruins and reconstruction efforts. Hiratsuka Un'ichi's series of prints, "Landscapes of Ruins after the Tokyo Earthquake," stands out for its understated yet poignant portrayal of the devastation.

The aftermath of the disaster also marked the beginning of an urban metamorphosis: the construction of railway lines, new bridges, and concrete buildings redefined Tokyo as a modern metropolis. The rapid development of the suburbs and the emergence of iconic places like Ginza symbolized a new balance between urban expansion and population growth.

The emergence of a modern culture

The 1920s and 1930s saw the rise of a consumer culture and a more hedonistic urban lifestyle in Tokyo. Tokyo's main thoroughfares came alive with boutiques, cafes, and cinemas. Nightlife became a source of inspiration for printmakers, who captured the brilliance of illuminated shop windows and street performances. This era also marked the arrival of the moga, or "modern girls," emblematic figures of female emancipation influenced by Western fashion.

However, this effervescence was short-lived. Japan's entry into World War II brought an end to this period of cultural renewal and artistic freedom. Artists then returned to a more introspective style of production, marking a turning point in the history of Japanese art.

An epilogue leading to the present

The exhibition concludes with a reflection on post-war Tokyo. The prints from after 1950, still influenced by the shin hanga and sôsaku hanga movements, bear witness to a different view of the city: a rebuilt space, bearing hope and prosperity.

This immersive exhibition, which combines art and history, offers a unique opportunity to understand how Tokyo became a global megacity while preserving its cultural heritage.

For more information, please visit the website. Japan Culture House.