Courtesans and Attendants Viewing Cherry Blossoms at Nakanochō in the Yoshiwara, around 1785, by Torii Kiyonaga (Philadelphia Museum of Art: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Lessing J. Rosenwald, 1959-93-22a—c)
In advance of Sakura Weekend during the 2024 Cherry Blossom Festival and to kick off our yearly spring membership appeal, we’re bringing back a beloved program exclusively for Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia (JASGP) members.
Join us on April 10, 2024, for an Insider Tour at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and experience an expert-led behind-the-scenes look at prints from the museum’s collection that highlight the Japanese concept of hanami, or flower viewing. The tour will be led by Maria Puzyreva, the Carl Zigrosser Fellow in The Department of Prints, Drawings, and Photographs at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
2:00–4:00 pm
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Perelman Building / Google Maps >>
This program is being offered exclusively for JASGP members. Admission is free and advance registration is required. Tours will be limited to 12 participants.
UPDATE—This program is at full capacity and we are no longer accepting registrations.
For more information, please contact Millie T. Chen, JASGP Membership and Development Associate at mchen@japanphilly.org.
About the Tour
Hanami, in Japan, has its roots in ancient traditions of courtly gatherings and poetic contemplation of nature. During the Edo period (1603-1868), the custom of viewing cherry and plum blossoms in early spring became a common subject for prints.
As part of this Insider Tour at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we will examine works by such masters of Japanese printmaking as Harunobu, Hiroshige, Hokusai, and Yoshitoshi, among many others, to gain insights into the social dynamics and seasonal rhythms that guided life in Edo-period Japan.
We will also discuss parties, poetry, theater, and history associated with depictions of cherry blossoms and observe how this familiar subject changes as Japan enters the modern era. From the bustling urban views to the serene landscapes of the countryside, flower viewing will unfold as both a communal celebration and a deeply personal experience.