In the Meiji Period, which started in 1868, Japan opened to the West and began to export to Europe and the US ceramics, lacquer-ware and textile products which sold in great quantities. However, the initial enthusiasm for the faraway Orient began to diminish towards the end of the XIX century owing to the lack of renovation and low quality of the products.

In order to face the export crisis, Japan made a special effort to present objects that would stand up to the demanding standards of foreign countries and it was in this context that the Exhibition Universelle in Paris was celebrated in 1900, a moment in which Art Nouveau reached its peak.

This decorative and groundbreaking European style impressed many Japanese craftsmen and painters who came to the Exhibition. After this inspiring trip, they started to reproduce it in such a way that Art Deco extended throughout the Japanese islands.

Towards the end of the Taisho period (1912-1926), before the World War II, young Japanese artists, influenced by this decorative style and the constructivism, produced extremely original works. Decided to break with the tradition, they wanted above all to express their own sensitivity.

The beginning of the modern era in the Japanese decorative arts will be exhibited at the Maison de la Culture du Japon in Paris from October 13 to December 23, 2010. 

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