Yokoyama Art Museum (横山美術館) in Higashi-ku, Nagoya, will hold the special exhibition "Elegant Old Noritake × Noritake: From the Yokoyama Art Museum Collection" (企画展「横山美術館所蔵品 優美なるオールドノリタケ×ノリタケ」) from Friday, October 23, 2026 to Monday, March 22, 2027 (a substitute holiday). About 580 pieces will be shown from among the more than 1,600 works of Old Noritake and Noritake held by the museum.
About the Exhibition
One hundred fifty years ago, in 1876 (Meiji 9), two brothers started a trading business in Ginza, Tokyo, and the younger brother, who had mastered English at Keio Gijuku, set off for America. The older brother was Ichizaemon Morimura (森村市左衛門, also called Ichitaro), and the younger was Toyo (豊). This voyage led to the founding of the trading company Morimura-gumi and of Morimura Brothers, its store in New York.
The business was not always smooth sailing. The older brother traveled all over Japan to buy the goods his younger brother asked for, while the younger brother worked hard to run the New York store. Among the miscellaneous goods and crafts they handled, they gradually put the emphasis on porcelain, which sold well, and the business grew into a large company that handled both decorative painting and ceramic manufacturing.
Rooted in the brothers' drive and in the foresight that came from the teachings of Yukichi Fukuzawa, Noritake became a brand loved in Europe and America. The exhibition lets visitors enjoy its elegant world through the museum's own collection.
150 Years Since the Founding of Morimura-gumi: The Morimura Brothers' Efforts
Older brother Ichizaemon and younger brother Toyo differed in age and personality, but they were so close that they named their store "Morimura Brothers," and they were bound by deep mutual trust and a strong bond. The exhibition also introduces the two men.
Left: older brother Ichizaemon. Right: younger brother Toyo (豊). (From 『森村翁言行録』 by Unosuke Wakamiya (若宮卯之助), 1929, National Diet Library collection)
Featured Works
I. Techniques and Design of Old Noritake
Using many outstanding techniques, including kinmori (gold moriage), moriage (raised decoration), and lusterware, and drawing on Western culture and trends, Japan's delicate sense of beauty and skill produced lavish pieces. As the first full-fledged Western-style porcelain made in Japan, Old Noritake captured the hearts of many people in Europe and America.
Gold Moriage Decorative Jar with Roses (《金盛薔薇図飾壺》), c. Meiji 24–44 (1891–1911)
Jewel Gold Moriage Large Vase with Flowers and Grasses (《ジュール金盛草花図大花瓶》), c. Meiji 24–44 (1891–1911)
Jewel Gold Moriage Vase with Roses (《ジュール金盛薔薇図花瓶》), c. Meiji 24–44 (1891–1911)
Portrait Jewel Gold Moriage Decorative Jar with a Lady (《ポートレートジュール金盛婦人図飾壺》), c. Meiji 24–44 (1891–1911)
Cobalt Gold Moriage Large Decorative Jar with a Swan Landscape (《コバルト金盛白鳥風景図大飾壺》), c. Meiji 24–44 (1891–1911)
Lusterware Plate with a Lady, "Green Eye" (《ラスター彩婦人図皿(グリーン・アイ)》), c. Taisho 10 to Showa 16 (1921–1941)
Lusterware Candy Box in the Form of a Lady (《ラスター彩婦人形キャンディボックス》), c. Taisho 10 to Showa 16 (1921–1941)
Silver-Decorated Demitasse Set with a Geometric Pattern (《銀彩幾何学柄デミタスセット》), c. Meiji 41 to Taisho 14 (1908–1925)
II. The Craftsmanship of Modern and Contemporary Noritake
The exhibition also presents modern and contemporary Noritake, including overglaze paintings by the legendary painter Keiji Ichinoki (市ノ木慶治) and the highly artistic "Studio Collection" made by skilled craftspeople.
Overglaze Vase with Roses (《上絵薔薇図花瓶》), painted by Keiji Ichinoki, c. Showa 10–15 (1935–1940)
Figurine "Aurora" (《フィギュアリン「アウロラ」》), Showa 51 (1976) or later
Of the more than 1,600 pieces of Old Noritake and Noritake owned by Yokoyama Art Museum, about 580 will be on display. The special exhibition space has been expanded for this show, so there is plenty to see.
Exhibition Details
- Exhibition name: Elegant Old Noritake × Noritake: From the Yokoyama Art Museum Collection (「横山美術館所蔵品 優美なるオールドノリタケ×ノリタケ」)
- Dates: Friday, October 23, 2026 to Monday, March 22, 2027 (substitute holiday)
- Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last admission 4:30 PM)
- Closed: Every Monday (open when Monday is a national holiday, and closed the following weekday instead), and December 28 (Monday) to January 4 (Monday)
- Admission:
- Adults: ¥1,000 (¥800 for groups of 20 or more)
- High school and university students and seniors aged 65 and over: ¥800 (¥600 for groups of 20 or more)
- Junior high school students: ¥600 (¥400 for groups of 20 or more)
- Elementary school students and younger: Free
- Visitors with a disability certificate: ¥700
- Venue: Yokoyama Art Museum (横山美術館), 1-1-21 Aoi, Higashi-ku, Nagoya, Aichi
- Supported by: Aichi Prefectural Board of Education, Nagoya City Board of Education, Nagoya Municipal Elementary and Junior High School PTA Council
- Official website: https://www.yokoyama-art-museum.or.jp/
Related Events
Lecture: "Exploring the Techniques of Old Noritake"
The lecture (flyer in PDF) will focus on the superb technique and design of Old Noritake, as experienced while restoring the lid of a large Old Noritake decorative jar from the museum's collection. The speaker will show prototypes and give demonstrations during the talk.
- Date and time: Sunday, December 13, 2026, 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
- Speaker: 安藤 栄子, a Grade 1 certified skilled craftsperson in ceramic overglaze painting (陶磁器上絵付け1級技能士)
- Fee: Free (museum admission required)
- Capacity: 40 people (advance registration required)
Gallery Talks
Museum curators will give explanations of the exhibits in both the special exhibition and the permanent exhibition.
- Dates: Saturdays, November 7, November 21, December 5, and December 19, 2026, and January 16, February 6, February 20, March 6, and March 20, 2027
- Time: 1:30 PM each day, about 1 hour
- Venue: Yokoyama Art Museum exhibition rooms
- Note: No advance registration required; museum admission required
Related Merchandise
- Exhibition booklet: ¥300 (tax included)
- Clear file featuring a design from the exhibited works: ¥200 (tax included)
