The Tale of Genji is one of the most remarkable accomplishments in literary history, and of fundamental importance for Japanese art. Sometimes called the world’s first novel.

Inspired by a recent gift of over 126 artworks by noted collector Terry Welch, this exhibition explores the dynamic modern period (1860s–1930s) in Japanese art, when dramatic changes in society were reflected in the arts, resulting in works of stunning vision and technical accomplishment.

Inspired by a recent gift of over 125 modern Japanese paintings, ceramics and lacquerwares by noted collector Terry Welch, this exhibition explores the dynamic modern period (1860s-1930s) in Japanese art, in which aesthetics responded to larger social changes in public education and national exhibitions.

Zoological imagery has a mysterious appeal. Animals in Japanese Art, on view at the Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA) March 30–July 23, will showcase a menagerie of paintings and sculptures from the museum’s permanent collection that date to the 15th century.

This exhibition features genga (original, hand-drawn sketches) from the manga Journey of Heroes: The Story of the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team (2012), a 45-page book written by author Stacey Hayashi (born 1975) and drawn by comic artist Damon Wong (born 1976), both of whom were born and raised on O‘ahu. Navigating a Minefield is the first manga exhibition at HoMA to address the internationalization of manga and its connection to Japan’s cultural diaspora–in this case, its usage by a Japanese American author to discuss the history of Hawaiʻi’s nisei community.

In celebration of the recent acquisitions of three Hung Liu paintings, HoMA will present an exhibition focused on contemporary artist Hung Liu (1948–2021). One of the best-known contemporary Chinese American artists, Liu's paintings and mixed media works reference both East and West and straddle the line between the personal and the political.