From the 1st of December, 2026, Liang Yi Museum presents a poetic dialogue between two revered materials of Japanese craftsmanship with Welded and Woven: Masterpieces of Japanese Metal and Textile. A rare joint showcase by two curators at the Museum, the exhibition issupported by the Japan Society of Hong Kong and the Japan Autumn Festival in Hong Kong, and features over 100 exquisite objects contrasting metal’s enduring gleam with textile’s delicate silkiness. Visitors are invited to feel the pieces’ diverse textures and embark on a tactile journey through Japan’s vibrant transformation from the Edo to Meiji periods.
Chapter I. Japanese Metal: Skeleton, Vessel, Soul
Three distinct subsections explore the quiet rhythm between diverse metalworking traditions:
• Skeleton: explore metal as the hidden frame that gives an object its shape, strength, and purpose—through kiserus, portable writing sets (yatates) and stirrups that defined the worlds of the samurai and scholars.
• Vessel: admire metal as a container, defined not by its own form but by what it holds within—flowers, incense, tea, and sweets.
• Soul: witness metal at its most atmospheric, where gold, silver, and tin relinquish their original forms to become brilliant particles that capture light on maki-e lacquerware.
Chapter II. Fukuromono: The World of Edo Pouches
From robust metal to colourful fabric, fukuromono —historic Japanese pouches—emerge as emblems of Japan’s drastic modernisation. This comprehensive showcase invites you to look at:
• Function: examine fukuromono’s versatility as cosmetic cases, tissue paper holders, tobacco and pipe cases; and trace your fingers over masterful embroideries, brocades, rich dyes, and nuanced symbolism woven into every thread.
• Fashion: dive into the vibrant world of textile production during the Meiji period, a pivotal era when artisans grappled with the tension between modernity and tradition..
• Family Threads: venture into the Otani Family Collection, tracing intimate interactions and gifting rituals in a renowned Kyoto family, visualised by archival documents, correspondence, and personal messages.
A Duet of Materiality “We often see metal as hard, cold, and unyielding. But Japanese artisans saw something else— a material that could hold a warrior’s weight, contain a flower’s beauty, and even become light itself,” remarks Carmen Lam, curator of Japanese Metal: Skeleton, Vessel, Soul.
“Our fukuromono collection presents a rare narrative in collecting Japanese works of art. Holding them in our hands will grant you access to the finest Edo techniques and latest Meiji fashion, but more importantly to intriguing stories of passed-down family treasures, all meticulously weaved into colourful silky treasures,” notes Chang Lan, curator of Fukuromono: The World of Edo Pouches.“I'm especially excited for this exhibition, highlighting some of the more recent research and discoveries from our lesser-known Japanese collection, and I think the contrast between hard and soft will really be brought to life by allowing our visitors to handle these object for themselves,” says Lynn Fung, director of the Museum.
For more information please head to the Liang Yi Museum website.
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