The links between Wales and Japan

Many Welsh artists have been inspired by Japanese culture and worked or exhibited in Japan – and vice versa. Amgueddfa Cymru - the National Museum of Wales - is in partnership with the Modern Art Museum of Japan. In 2018 the Cardiff-based museum ran a hugely popular exhibition about Japanese culture titled ‘Kizuna’, which featured Japanese transport, teaware, decorative objects, paintings, manga and other cultural artifacts. 

There are often other exhibitions of works by Japanese artists. 2019 sees the work of coalfield artist Sakubei Yamamoto on show in the UNESCO World Heritage Site Big Pit Museum and pieces by Nobuko Tsuchiya in MOSTYN, Llandudno. Every year since 2010, the Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival has brought some of the best animated works from Japan to the big screens in Welsh arts venues. 

Japan has hosted works of many Welsh creatives in group exhibitions over the years. These have included the works of David Nash at The Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo, a collection of Dylan Thomas works in Kyoto and a design exhibition featuring twelve glass and ceramic artists from Wales in Oita. 

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7uK3Lnqpnm5%2BifKKuzq6raK%2BVobCwucRmrpqklah8uK3LnqpmmZ6Zeri70aWbaKSZo7i0ecGeq7CdlaN6uK3LnqpmmZ6Zequtz5ql