Japan: Myths to Manga Exhibition opens at Young Victoria and Albert Museum

By John Freeman on October 29, 2023

Take an exciting and atmospheric trip through Japan – and explore how landscape and folklore have influenced Japanese art, technology and design, with the Japan: Myths to Manga Exhibition at the Young Victoria and Albert Museum in East London.

*My Neighbour Totoro. © 1988 Studio Ghibli*

Running until 8th September 2024 at the newly-refurbished Museum, this child-friendly exhibition, is “…set across four sections – Sky, Sea, Forest, and City – and showcases how each setting has been the context for some of Japan’s most popular and beloved creations, including anime, manga, fashion, film, robots, and photography.”

Japan: Myths to Manga Exhibition 2023 - Art Exhibit

Japan: Myths to Manga Exhibition 2023 - Art Exhibit. Woodblock print The Treasure ship; Takarabune Hiroshige (1797-1858) Japan Ca. 1840 CREDIT: Akarma — *Woodblock print The Treasure ship; Takarabune Hiroshige (1797-1858) Japan Ca. 1840 Image: Akarma*

*Doodle Champion Island Games. Courtesy Google / Studio 4℃*

*Double Spiral by Keita Miyazaki. © Luke Walker Courtesy of Gallery Rosenfeld*

Alongside the exhibition a number of related events are planned, including “Stories from Japan” with Japanese folk stories from storyteller, Tomoko Komura, and a varied range of creative workshops.

• Japan: Myths to Manga Exhibition runs until 8th September 2024 | Young Victoria and Albert Museum, Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, London, E2 9PA | Tickets £10 (concessions available) | Exhibition details and booking information here

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.