The Infinite Artistry of Japanese Ceramics

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 5th Ave, 10028, New York City

July 1, 2026 – August 8, 2027

This exhibition traces the long history of Japanese pottery, from the earliest hand-built figurines shaped by spiritual beliefs to contemporary ceramic art. Through about 350 works, it shows how Japanese ceramics combine technical mastery, everyday function, and refined aesthetic sensibility. The display ranges from ancient vessels for cooking and storage to tea wares, elite household objects, and modern sculptural pieces. It also highlights key developments such as the influence of Chinese and Korean techniques in medieval Japan and the practice of kintsugi, which repairs broken ceramics with gold lacquer and transforms damage into beauty. Many Edo-period works feature motifs from nature or symbols of good fortune, while others reflect Japanese culinary and dining traditions. Featuring major pieces from the Harry G. C. Packard Collection, the exhibition marks the 50th anniversary of this foundational acquisition and places ceramics in conversation with lacquer, textiles, painting, and woodblock prints to reveal the wider cultural world of Japanese art.