Cultural links between the Azores and Japan highlighted at Capitães-Generais Palace - Communication

Vice-Presidência do Governo Regional

The Vice-Presidency of the Regional Government is promoting the exhibition "From Namban to Japonisme: the Arts of Japan in Azorean Collections" from June 13 to August 15 at the Capitães-Generais Palace in Angra do Heroísmo.

As part of the Autonomous Region of the Azores' participation in the Portugal pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, the exhibition analyses the cultural links between the Azores and Japan through a selection of pieces from public and private collections in the Region.

From the first encounters in the 16th century, with the arrival of the Portuguese in the Japanese archipelago, to the impact of Japonisme in the 19th century, the exhibition analyses the commercial, cultural and religious dialogue between both parties, proposing multiple perspectives on how Japan has been observed, perceived and reinterpreted over time.

It will feature items from important collections, such as that of Vergílio Schneider, collected over decades, and pieces belonging to the Presidency of the Regional Government, including a "Contador" (cabinet) gifted by shogun Tokugawa Iemoshi to King D. Luís, a symbol of centuries-old diplomatic ties.

The opening session, chaired by the Vice-President of the Regional Government, Artur Lima, will take place on June 13 at 6 p.m. The programme includes a lecture by João Maria Mendes on the Blessed João Baptista Machado.

Organised by the Vice-Presidency of the Regional Government, the
exhibition "From Namban to Japonisme - The Arts of Japan in Azorean Collections" is curated by Pedro Pascoal de Melo. It will be held in partnership with the Regional Directorate for Culture.

Open to the public from June 14, the exhibition can be visited from Monday to Friday, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Exceptionally, between June 24 and 28, the visiting period will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Autonomous Region of the Azores will be present at the 2025 Universal Exposition in Osaka, Japan, between August 14 and 17 August, under the theme "Between Hearts."