Russel Wong in Kyoto | Life in Edo @ Asian Civilisations Museum 16 Apr to 19 Sep 2021

I've been to the Russel Wong in Kyoto | Life in Edo show twice already, so far. It's a fascinating exhibition showcasing masterworks of Japanese woodblock printing from Edo-period Japan (1603 - 1868) alongside photographs of today's Japan by renowned photographer Russel Wong.

The show runs from 16 Apr to 19 Sep 2021, so I will be there many more times, as each time I gain different insights from the exhibits. The woodblock prints are displayed on rotation, so I'll also be seeing new exhibits.

Asian Civilisations Museum

Address: 1 Empress Place, Singapore 179555

Hours: 10:00am - 7:00pm

The grand and beautiful Asian Civilisations Museum building on a bright sunny day.

The imposing building was built in 1867 originally as the Court House but was used by the Government Secretariat, Stamp Office, Public Works Department, etc through the years. After major restoration works, the building was reopened as the Asian Civilisations Museum in 2003.

The Asian Civilisations Museum is one of my favourite hangouts in Singapore. It is home to so many fascinating ancient artefacts from throughout Asia.

Entrance is free of charge for Singaporeans and permanent residents. I am really grateful for the privilege, thanks to the Museum's generosity 🙏

The exhibits tell us where we come from and how we become who we are today in Singapore.

There is thus no better place than Asian Civilisations Museum to host the Russel Wong in Kyoto | Life in Edo show.

The concept of the show itself is beautiful in its simplicity. The show tells the tales of two cities in Japan from two different eras with two different medium:

🗻 Colourful woodblock prints of the modern capital of Japan, Tokyo during the Edo-period (1603 - 1868)

🗻 Black & white photographs of today's Kyoto, the old imperial capital of Japan (794 - 1868).

The show takes the audience back in time to Edo-period Tokyo (1603 - 1868) through colourful woodblock prints by the great masters of the craft such as Katsushika Hokusai, Utagawa Hiroshige, Kitagawa Utamaro, and Utagawa Kuniyoshi.

After travelling in time, we are taken back to Kyoto today through the black and white photographs of Russel Wong.

Life in Edo

Women making grilled tofu with miso glaze around 1820.

😄 Naturally, I gravitated towards prints depicting food in Edo-period Tokyo 😃 That's just me lah...., the prints cover wide ranging aspects of Edo life from travel to entertainment, fashion, festivals, pets, etc.

Waitress delivering kaiseki ryori (traditional Japanese multi-course haute cuisine) at a ryori-ya (luxury restaurant). Period around 1833 - 1835.

New Year party 1854. Celebration dish was whole red sea bream fish grilled with salt. Red sea bream is considered an auspicious fish as its name "tai" rhymes with "medetai", Japanese for happiness.

Selling grilled eel (unagi) and fried food in the streets of Edo-period Tokyo in 1852.

I stop here, there are many, many more amazing prints of life in Edo on display. You have to come here to see for yourself the many fascinating and beautiful prints of Edo.

Russel Wong in Kyoto

Internationally renowned Russel Wong really needs no further introduction. Best known for his portrait photography, Russel's works include still-life, architecture, landscapes, and more. He is also an avid foodie!

Russel Wong in Kyoto is a still on-going personal project (now in its thirteenth year) to document the Geiko culture of Kyoto.

A Geiko is a professional entertainer skilled in traditional Japanese arts like dance, music, tea ceremonies, etc. A Maiko is an apprentice Geiko.

Known as Geiko in Kyoto, the profession is called Geisha in Tokyo.

Flurries at the Kinkaku-ji (Summer Pavilion, Kyoto) in 2020.

Geiko and Maiko set off for their customary courtesy visits to other ochayas (teahouses) on their first day (Kyoto, 2011).

Geiko Sayaka helping Maiko Satsuki with her hair ornaments (Kyoto, 2011).

Maikos on their way to their ochaya.

I love the Russel Wong in Kyoto | Life in Edo show. The woodblock prints and photographs are masterpieces. To juxtapose the present into the past, and the past into the present give us deeper insights and consciousness of ourselves and the world we live in now.

A different way of seeing. That's a priceless gift 🙏

Thank you Kobe Shimbun and Russel Wong as well as other generous sponsors of the show.

Come and see Russel Wong in Kyoto | Life in Edo @ Asian Civilisations Museum 16 Apr to 19 Sep 2021.

They also have interactive multimedia displays, workshops and other related activities which I shall let you find out for yourself at the Museum 😝

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Written by Tony Boey on 2 May 2021