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ART! RISD Museum Reunites Rare Japanese Surimono Albums in Landmark Exhibition
by RINewsToday NewsTeam
The RISD Museum will open The Artistry and Reunion of Two Surimono Albums on May 23, bringing together two rare 19th-century Japanese albums for the first time in nearly 100 years.
The exhibition features more than 175 Japanese surimono — finely crafted woodblock prints that combine poetry, imagery, and luxurious materials. Originally assembled in Osaka in the late 1820s by poet Iga Kurimi, the albums reflect a rich creative culture where artists, poets, carvers, and printers worked together to mark special occasions, seasonal celebrations, theatrical events, and personal milestones.
Surimono, meaning “printed things,” were often exchanged at poetry gatherings and were known for their elegant papers, embossing, metallic pigments, and close attention to texture and detail.
The albums were separated in the 20th century after being gifted to American geologist Raphael Pumpelly in 1863. One album, still in its original accordion binding, is on loan from the Chiba City Museum of Art in Japan. The other, now separated into individual prints, entered the RISD Museum collection in the 1950s.
“Bringing these albums back together is a powerful reminder of how art connects people across time, place, and community,” said Tsugumi Maki, Director of the RISD Museum.
The exhibition is organized into thematic sections exploring how surimono were made, read, exchanged, and understood within creative communities. It also includes customized illustrations by RISD student Zimo Yang, who interned in the museum’s Asian art department in 2025.
The exhibition opens to the public May 23 and will be accompanied by related events, including a press preview, public opening, member tour, and a Critical Encounters Study Day in September.
Exhibition Events
Thursday, May 21, 10:30 am–12 pm
Thursday, May 21, 5:30–7:30 pm
Friday, May 22, 12 pm
Saturday, September 19, 1–6 pm
About the RISD Museum
Established in 1877, the RISD Museum is a dynamic space for creative exploration, learning, and community engagement. We unlock the creative process by integrating art, design, and education, inviting active participation in the making and meaning of art. Spanning cultures from ancient times to the present, our collection fosters accessibility, inclusion, and meaningful connections across communities. For more information: 401-454-6500 or risdmuseum.org
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