The Maison de la Culture du Japon, located in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, offers a wide range of exhibitions exploring the culture of this East Asian country.

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From November 6, 2024 to February 1, 2025, discover the exhibition “Tokyo, Birth of a Modern City”. Immerse yourself in a unique journey through the history and modernity of one of the world’s most vibrant capitals. The exhibition features a series of prints dating from the 20th century.

A look at Tokyo’s history

Japan’s capital wasn’t always known as Tokyo. Before the 1920s, it was known as Edo, meaning “the river gate” and referring to the Sumida River that crosses it. In 1868, under Emperor Meiji, it was named Tokyo, and the city modernized at great speed.

In 1923, under the reign of Emperor Taishô, a terrible event took place: the Kantô earthquake destroyed most of Tokyo, causing the collapse of the city’s emerging modernity. The rebuilding of the city gave it a whole new dimension, and its modernization accelerated dramatically.

Art and culture at the heart of the exhibition

Tokyo, Birth of a Modern City is not just about urban planning. The exhibition also celebrates the cultural effervescence that accompanied this transition. Visitors can admire works highlighting the lifestyles of the city’s inhabitants, the evolution of clothing, and the rise of popular arts such as Kabuki theater and prints.

Through archival photographs, traditional prints (ukiyo-e), models and period objects, the exhibition highlights how Tokyo has adapted to Western influences while preserving its traditions. From the construction of the first railway stations to boulevards lined with buildings inspired by European architecture, each stage of this transformation is carefully documented.

Why visit this exhibition ?

Tokyo, Birth of a Modern City is much more than just a historical exhibition. It offers a complete immersion in the soul of a city that never ceases to reinvent itself. Whether you’re passionate about Japanese history, art or culture, this exhibition is an ideal gateway to understanding the essence of Tokyo, the world-city that fascinates the entire globe.