From temple markets to Cuban jazz, there’s something for everyone across Japan this week. If you’re doing something cool, leave us a comment or send us an email to have your event listed.
Monday: Fashion fusion
The Elegant Other: Cross-Cultural Encounters in Fashion and Art
With the start of the Meiji period in 1868, Western fashion quickly permeated Japanese lives. At the same time, Japanese art and kimono were exported to the West, creating the Japonism boom. Focusing on fashion and art from the late 19th to the early 20th century, this exhibition examines how cultural exchanges between East and West influenced people’s lives and aesthetics.
When & Where
- April 24-June 25
- 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Yokohama Museum of Art - Map
- ¥1,500
Tuesday: Shop like the locals
Tenjin-san Market
Named for 9th century poet and patron saint of academic pursuits Sugawara no Michizane, the Tenjin-san Market at the serene Kitano Tenmangu shrine is one of the ancient capital of Kyoto’s best. All manner of antiques, pottery, textiles and Japanese crafts in general are on sale, while the mixed crowd of locals and tourists keeps things lively.
When & Where
- April 25
- 6 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Kyoto - Map
- Free
Wednesday: Images from a ‘mad old photographer’
Nobuyoshi Araki “A Desktop Love”
Despite beating prostate cancer and losing sight in his right eye, enfant terrible photographer Nobuyoshi Araki continues to work. Recent images have entailed what he describes as “spontaneously placing down things I like and photographing them.” This show presents photos featured in last year’s Paris exhibition A Desktop Paradise, comprising photographs taken in this manner and selected new works from the series.
When & Where
- April 26-May 14
- 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Kennin-ji. Kyoto - Map
- ¥800
Thursday: Cuban groovin’
Daymé Arocena
Cuban jazz diva Daymé Arocena launches a week-long Japan tour with a night at Brooklyn Parlor in Hakata. The deep-lunged songstress will lead her band through new songs from her fresh album "Cubafonía," out on influential UK DJ Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood imprint.
When & Where
- April 27
- 8 p.m.
- Brooklyn Parlor Hakata, Fukuoka - Map
- ¥5,500
Friday: Jazz celebration
Jazz Auditoria 2017
International Jazz Day (April 30) provides the launch point for a free, three-day jazz festival at the new Waterras shopping and tower complex in Kanda. Domestic stars like guitar god Kazumi Watanabe will be joined by international talents including Daymé Arocena (see above) and Martinique-born French pianist Grégory Privat.
When & Where
- April 28-30
- Various
- Waterras, Tokyo - Map
- Free
Saturday: Streets ’n’ beats
Moran Banderoff x Supreme: Knowledge Wave Tokyo
LA art gallery Moran Banderoff and street fashion brand Supreme co-present a night of cutting-edge American sounds. Topping the lineup is British-American singer, songwriter, composer and producer Dev Hynes, who’s penned songs for everyone from Solange to Chemical Brothers. Also due to make appearances are Alex Olson of 917 skate fashion brand and Oslo-based DJ Karima F.
When & Where
- April 29
- 10 p.m.
- Contact Tokyo - Map
- Call for details
Sunday: Alfons obsession
Alfons Mucha
One of the leaders of the Art Nouveau style, and an artist who has long been the subject of fascination in Japan, is featured in an exhibition celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Czech Republic and Japan. The show at the vast NACT presents the full 20-piece display of “The Slav Epic” for the first time shown as a complete set outside of the Czech Republic.
When & Where
- April 30-June 5
- 10 a.m. -6 p.m.
- National Art Center, Tokyo - Map
- ¥1,600
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