What Japanese Art Exhibition Is Coming to York in 2026

Ever seen a picture of a giant, claw-like wave about to crash over some tiny boats, with a snow-capped mountain in the background? Chances are, that was ‘The Great Wave off Kanagawa’ by Katsushika Hokusai. It’s one of the most famous pieces of Japanese art in the world, and it’s heading to York. From 27 February to 30 August 2026, the York Art Gallery is putting on a massive exhibition called ‘Making Waves: The Art of Japanese Woodblock Print’. It’s not just about one wave, though. This event will feature over 100 incredible artworks, telling the story of Japanese art across 300 years. Visitors will get to see a huge range of Japanese prints, from legendary artists to modern creators, making it a must-see event in York.

The one with the great wave

Let's be honest, seeing ‘The Great Wave’ in person is a big deal. It’s a piece of art that’s so famous, it appears on everything from phone cases to murals. This original print, created by the legendary Hokusai around 1831, is being generously loaned to the York Art Gallery by Maidstone Museum just for this exhibition. Seeing the real thing is completely different from seeing it online. The colours, the fine lines, the sheer energy of it – it’s an experience. The exhibition gives visitors a rare chance to stand in front of one of the most iconic artworks ever made and see why its beauty has captured imaginations for centuries.

More than just one picture

While Hokusai’s wave might be the headline act, the ‘Making Waves’ exhibition is packed with other treasures. It’s a huge celebration of Japanese prints, bringing together an amazing collection of items. Think of it like a festival of Japanese culture, right in the middle of York. The gallery will be displaying pieces from its own extensive collection, some of which have never been shown to the public before. But that’s not all. They’re also borrowing some amazing things from other big-name places. There will be:

• Early printed books from the British Library
• Stunning kimonos from Durham Oriental Museum
• More mesmerising prints from Maidstone Museum and the British Museum

By gathering all these artworks, costumes, armour, and printed materials, the exhibition paints a full picture of the history and culture behind this unique art form. Visitors will see works from other masters like Utagawa Hiroshige and Kitagawa Utamaro, whose prints of beautiful landscapes and elegant figures were just as popular in their day. The whole collection promises a deep dive into Japanese art.

A journey through time and technique

So, what exactly is woodblock printing? Imagine carving a picture into a block of wood, a bit like making a super-detailed potato stamp. Then, ink is rolled onto the block, and paper is pressed onto it to create the print. Now, imagine doing that with multiple blocks, one for each colour, to create a complex, vibrant image. That's the craft behind these Japanese prints. The ‘Making Waves’ exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the 300-year history of this technique, from its beginnings in the 17th century to the present day. The main focus is on the 18th and 19th centuries, a golden age for the art. The displays will explore big themes that the artists loved, like the 'floating world' – which was basically the buzzing entertainment district of old cities, full of theatres, restaurants, and stylish people. Other themes include the stunning beauty of the Japanese landscape, tales of legendary heroes, and colourful seasonal celebrations, offering a window into a life of adventure and tradition.

Eleanor Jackson, Curator of Fine Art at York Art Gallery, said:

“Making Waves will showcase an outstanding selection of Japanese woodblock prints spanning centuries of creativity and artistry, alongside other spectacular items. To bring them together in this way has been a privilege and we are so excited to unveil the exhibition in February. The support of national and regional museums as well as contemporary artists has been instrumental in allowing us to tell the story of this gorgeous art form. We are grateful to them for lending their precious works to York Art Gallery for this exhibition.”

From ancient to modern

This traditional art form isn't just a thing of the past. The exhibition shows how woodblock printing is still very much alive today. It features works by contemporary artists who are keeping the craft going. For example, there are several pieces by Rebecca Salter, the current President of the Royal Academy of Arts. Visitors can also see prints of the North York Moors, created in a traditional Japanese style by Scottish-based artist Laura Boswell. London artist Nana Shiomi’s 2001 print, ‘HOKUSAI'S WAVE (Right) - Happy Carp’, will be displayed right next to the actual woodblocks she used to make it. This gives a fantastic behind-the-scenes look at how these detailed artworks are created, showing the skill involved in every single line.

Stepping into the art

The experience doesn't stop when visitors leave the gallery building. It flows right out into the Museum Gardens. For the spring and summer months of the exhibition, a brand-new Japanese-style garden will be created behind the York Art Gallery. Known as a ‘karesansui’ or Japanese dry garden, it’s a space designed for calm and quiet thinking. Often called a 'zen garden', it will use simple materials like wood, stone, and bamboo to create a peaceful atmosphere. It's the perfect place to chill out after taking in all the amazing art. The garden will also feature four beautiful blossom trees – three cherry and one apricot. In Japan, blossom trees are a big deal, symbolising beauty, renewal, and the idea that life is always changing. It's a little piece of Japan in the centre of York.

Steve Williams, Garden Manager at York Museums Trust commented:

“We want to encourage visitors to continue their journey beyond the four walls of the Gallery, leaving behind the ‘floating world’, as they connect with what we hope will be the meditative quality of our Japanese garden outside. Whilst the majority of the materials used will be hard landscaping, plants will create softer highlights in considered locations. Four blossom trees will feature in the garden in spring next year – three cherry trees and an apricot tree. Blossom trees hold a cultural significance in Japan, symbolising beauty, impermanence and renewal which reflect the transient nature of life. All the materials included in the Japanese-style garden have been sourced with the intention of longer-term use, and they will be repurposed elsewhere in Museum Gardens following the exhibition.”

Getting hands-on with Japanese art

Looking at art is one thing, but what about trying it out? The exhibition will be accompanied by a whole programme of fun activities and events. There will be specialist talks from curators and artists, giving people a deeper understanding of the artworks on display. For those aged 16 and over who want to get creative, there will be guided workshops on printing techniques. These sessions will give visitors a chance to try their hand at making Japanese art and create their own bespoke piece to take home. It's a fantastic opportunity to learn a new skill inspired by the masters. This series of events makes the whole thing much more than just a walk around a gallery.

Siona Mackelworth, Head of Audience and Programme at York Museums Trust said:

“The ‘Making Waves’ exhibition is designed for anyone, whether they have an interest in Japanese art, or indeed anyone looking to visit York Art Gallery and get creative.”

“With specialist talks and workshops, to on-gallery interactives, the associated programme and events are designed for all ages to make connections to Japanese art and get involved with the Gallery. We are delighted to play host to more internationally important art, building on the success of our Monet and Morris exhibitions last year, and to share the stories and processes behind Japanese printing by showcasing technically complex and visually impactful artworks.”

Taking a piece of Japan home

After seeing all the incredible Japanese prints and maybe even having a moment of zen in the garden, visitors might want a souvenir. The gallery’s shops will be stocked with a beautiful range of Japanese-themed goodies. There will be prints of the art, kimono jackets, and fun gifts like themed socks and chopsticks. For the creative types, there will be Kintsugi kits (the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold) and sketchbooks. The balcony ceramics shop will offer tea bowls and other handcrafted ceramics inspired by Japanese pottery. Many of the products will feature art from the gallery's collection or will be sourced directly from Japan. A new print inspired by Japan and the York Art Gallery has even been created by local York artist Lincoln Lightfoot. It’s the perfect way to remember a brilliant day out.