Behold the beauty of Edo period scenery and glimpse the fusion of Japanese culture

The World Expo Museum has a new exhibit, "Essence of the Orient" is a collection of Japanese artifacts from the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada. It showcases the beauty of Edo period scenery and the aesthetics of Eastern living. In Japanese culture and art, aesthetic keywords such as objects and Zen, intent and environment, aesthetics and philosophy, are present in various aspects of Japanese art, life, and society, forming the unique temperament of Japanese aesthetics. Inro were originally used to hold seals, but during the Edo period, they evolved into containers worn at the waist for storing medicine. The elegant and subtle decorations on these objects express a pursuit of emotion and contemplation of the meaning of life, sophisticated yet full of charm. White Satsuma ware was porcelain for the exclusive use of the Satsuma domain's lord, while Black Satsuma ware was ceramic made for the general populace. During the Heian period (794-1192 AD), the art of shi-e lacquerware matured and became Japan's most representative lacquerware. Noh and music held significant positions during the Edo period. Noh is a form of theater with themes of ghosts or mythology. Kyogen, aimed at humor and comedy, serves as an interlude in Noh performances. Most Japanese musical instruments were introduced from China and later developed into the unique harmony of Japanese music.