JAPAN’S EDO ERA BROUGHT TO LIFE Now at the CLEVE CARNEY MUSEUM OF ART AND McANINCH ARTS CENTER in Glen Ellyn, IL

As visitors step into Hokusai's printshop recreation in the Edo streetscape walk-through, they will spot a scene depicting Hokusai and his daughter Oi—focusing deeply on their craft.

“Hokusai & Ukiyo-e” Invites Visitors to Journey Back in Time Through an Art Collection Making Its U.S. Debut along with Interactive Experiences Including an Immersive Manga & Anime Exhibit, Silk & Samurai Selfie Station, Kids Area, DIY Digital Ukiyo-e Art and More

Tickets Start at $12

GLEN ELLYN, Ill. — The Cleve Carney Museum of Art (CCMA) and McAninch Arts Center

(MAC), located on the College of DuPage campus (425 Fawell Blvd.), present “Hokusai &

Ukiyo-e: The Floating World, Artworks from the Chiossone Collection,” May 31 – Sept. 21, 2025. Tickets start at $12 and are now available on the exhibition’s website, Hokusai2025.org, or through the MAC box office.

The all-encompassing exhibition takes guests on a fascinating journey into the world of

shoguns, samurai and Kabuki actors during a vibrant time of Japanese cultural renaissance.

The “Hokusai & Ukiyo-e: The Floating World” exhibition authentically brings 17th-century Japan to life through meticulously crafted recreations, immersive experiences, hands-on activities and historical exhibits. Visitors will be transported to a time when the city of Edo (now Tokyo) flourished under shogunate rule as the cultural and economic heart of Japan, embracing the arts, nature and leisurely pursuits.

The multi-faceted experience centers around the world-class presentation of a 70-piece

collection making its U.S. debut, featured as “Museum Galleries – Chiossone Collection” in

the exhibition. On loan from the Edoardo Chiossone Museum of Oriental Art in Genoa, Italy,

the collection includes 53 woodblock prints and original paintings by leading artists

of ukiyo-e — a major artistic genre that flourished during Japan’s Edo period (1603–1868)—along with several handcrafted objects such as games, instruments and daily objects.

Enhancing the museum exhibition, “Hokusai & Ukiyo-e” immerses guests in Japan’s iconic

shogun era through a variety of engaging, interactive exhibits spanning over 10,000 square feet.

Supporting the art collection and created exclusively for the CCMA and MAC, the show

features:

• Historical Edo & Ukiyo-e Exhibit: With a layout inspired by a woodblock print, the first

exhibit provides context to the featured art collection, focusing on the lives of Hokusai,

Hiroshige and Edoardo Chiossone, the development of ukiyo-e and its lasting impact,

the art of woodblock printing, and works from the College of DuPage permanent art

collection.

• Hokusai’s World: Step into Edo: This streetscape walk-through experience features

recreations of a woodblock printshop and Japanese market. As visitors step into the

printshop, they will spot a scene depicting Hokusai and his daughter Oi—both deeply

focused on their craft. Publishing boomed in Hokusai’s time, and he helped fuel the

craze for illustrated books known as ehon.

• Waves of DuPage: Beautiful Cities: Naperville artist Rich Lo created ukiyo-e-style

landscapes based on iconic DuPage County locations. These original works were

created for the DuPage Public Art Project and will be displayed as murals within

communities throughout the county. Framed prints of all these pieces will be showcased

together at the exhibition.

• Immersive History of Manga & Anime: Guests can explore the evolution of manga—

Japanese comics—through a fully designed environment by Vanessa Vu and Kevin Yu

of 2d, where every inch of the space, including walls, furniture and floors, merge into a

black-and-white, larger-than-life comic book.

• Hokusai Kids Area: Families can dive into the fascinating world of Hokusai with an

original Hokusai biographical anime film, a Children’s Day display celebrating how

strong, brave and bright kids are with traditional Japanese toys that are gifted, a

Japanese dragon costume featured in parades and celebrations, a cherry blossom wish

tree where children can write down their wishes and tie it to the tree, calligraphy and

origami making, and more.

• Ukiyo-e Imagination Station: Visitors can create their very own ukiyo-e masterpieces

through a hands-on digital experience.

• Samurai & Silk Selfie Station: Visitors can snap a photo with exquisite recreations of

Edo Era clothing, including a samurai uniform on loan from Warner Bros., a Kabuki

character costume designed by Kim Morris, and a stunning empress kimono.

• Great Wave Gardens: The curated outdoor garden will feature a selection of live plants

including flowering trees and sculpted evergreens, plus a Japanese bridge, teahouse

façade, picnic area and more to convey the spirit of peaceful Japanese landscapes.

• Edo EATS! and Gift Shop: Food and drink will be available at the Edo EATS!

concession, and Hokusai-themed merchandise and souvenirs will be sold in the gift

shop.

"Think of this exhibition as an immersive cultural dive into Japan’s captivating Shogun era,

packed with everything from historic masterpieces and recreations of daily life to cherished

traditions, natural beauty, and a few surprises along the way,” said Diana Martinez, Executive

Director of the McAninch Arts Center. “From centuries-old legendary artworks to anime, digital

art and kid’s activities, there’s something around each corner for visitors of all generations to

explore, learn and enjoy.”

“We are thrilled to collaborate with our international partners to bring this important collection to the museum. Japanese ukiyo-e artists have had a profound influence on global visual culture, and although these works are centuries old, they continue to resonate powerfully with

contemporary audiences.” said Justin Witte, Curator of the Cleve Carney Museum of Art.

Widely considered as one of the most recognizable images in the world, the collection will

feature Katsushika Hokusai’s iconic masterpiece, “Under the Wave off Kanagawa,” along with

eight more of his original works. There will also be 15 works by Utagawa Hiroshige, particularly known for the “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo” series, along with works by 15 of their contemporaries.

The MAC will host on-site lectures by authors and curators, film screenings, weekly Japanese

calligraphy and woodblock printmaking classes, and more. For many of these events, a

“Hokusai & Ukiyo-e" exhibition ticket will grant free access. ###