NEWS
Special Exhibition: "Playing with Words and Characters" at the ICU Hachiro Yuasa Memorial Museum
Update: January 30, 2026
The Hachiro Yuasa Memorial Museum is currently holding a special exhibition entitled "Playing with Words and Characters."
The culture of playing with words developed remarkably during the Edo period (1600-1868). During this period of unprecedented peace and prosperity, commoner literacy increased alongside an explosion of publishing activities that made Japan one of the most dynamic print cultures in the world.
This exhibition features items from the Museum's collection that display "words" as motifs and designs, as well as "words" printed in woodblock prints such as hanji-e and satirical prints. They reflect the imagination and fun-loving spirit of Edo commoners as they sought to enhance their everyday life with small giggles. We hope that you will enjoy the ingenuity and playful spirit behind the Japanese culture of word play through this exhibition.
Right side of the photo：[hanji-e ] Scan the QR code provided for each artwork to reveal the hidden meanings and check your answers!
【Exhibition Overview】
- Exhibition Title
- Playing with Words and Characters
- Venue
- Special Exhibition room, Hachiro Yuasa Memorial Museum
- Period
- January 13 (Tue.) - March 13 (Fri.) 2026
Open Tuesday through Friday and on 1/31 (Sat.), 2/14 (Sat.)13:00～17:00, 3/20 (Fri.)10:00～16:00 - Hours
- 13:00-17:00
- Admission
- Free
【Open lecture related to this special exhibition】126th Open Lecture（Online Virtual）
- Title
- 「Playing with Edo Period Word Play」
- Date
- February 28 (Sat), 2026, 14:00-15:30
- Place
- Online via ZOOM Webinar／Reservations Required) Register Here
- Lecturer
- Dr. Yasunori Kojima, Professor Emeritus, International Christian University
- Moderator
- Dr. Robert Eskildsen, Director of the Yuasa Museum, Professor by Special Appointment, International Christian University
- Admission
- Free, but registration is required.
- Language
- This event will be in Japanese.