Japan Myths & Manga: Young V&A’s first exhibition for kids

Japan Myths & Manga pulls together pop culture, history and multiple artforms as it explores how legends and folklore have shaped art, design and technology over time, drawing connections and parallels between myths to a broad range of Japanese cultural icons such as Studio Ghibli, Pokémon, origami and even the kimono.

Opening on Saturday, October 14, the exhibition, designed for children and young people, brings together more than 150 historic and contemporary objects under four sections – sky, sea, forest and city.  

Netsuke of carved ivory, the tongue-cut sparrow, signed Japan, by Masanao (Image: National Museums Scotland)

It pulls together visual art, animation, origami, fashion, tech, film and photography, and includes hands-on activities that aim ignite creativity and imagination in the spirit of playfulness that sits at the heart of Japanese culture.

Starting with the sky as the setting for many of Japan’s stories, the first section looks how artists have drawn inspiration from the sun moon and stars.

Japanese Fisherman`s Festival Coat (Image: Victoria and Albert Museum, London)

The sea is also explored at as a setting, both above and below the waves, while the forest section of the exhibition delves into shapeshifting mythical creatures and heroes, such as the girl found in the bamboo stalk in Studio Ghibli’s The Tale of The Princess Kaguya.

The exhibition’s final section, City, is all about kawaii (cuteness) and manga, anime and gaming technology. In addition to interactive displays, here, you’ll also stumble across things such as a Hello Kitty rice cooker, a manga inspired Comme des Garcons coat and robots.

Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s The Former Emperor from Sanuki Sends Allies to Rescue Tametomo (Image: Young V&A)

Artworks and objects on display across the exhibition include works by 19th century artists including Hiroshige, Hokuasai, Kunisada and Kuniyoshi and netsuke – a type of mini sculpture.

Look out for displays that explore how Japanese folktales have inspired beloved pop-culture characters, and how these stories continue to influence artists and designers including Keita Miyazaki, Mariko Kusumoto, Noritaka Tatehana, and Yuken Teruya.

Heel-less Shoes by Noritaka Tatehana in collaboration with Ryūkо̄bо̄ (Image: Edo Tokyo Kirari Project and Noritaka Tatehana; Photo by GION)

Also don’t miss the installation of 1000 paper cranes – the symbol of remembrance from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

Japan: Myths to Manga runs from October 14, 2023, to August 11, 2024. Exhibition passes cost £10 and can be used for repeat bookings.

Under 4s go free, and while the exhibition is open to everyone, there is an emphasis of children aged 7 to 11 years-old.

Address: Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, E2 9PA

Website: vam.ac.uk