When can I see the exhibition Kabuki – Theater, Prints, Fan Culture?

The exhibition can be seen from October 23, 2026, to May 2, 2027, at the Museum Five Continents in Munich.

Where does the exhibition take place?

The Museum Five Continents is located at Maximilianstraße 42, 80538 Munich.

Are there guided tours of the exhibition?

Yes, curator tours are planned on October 25, November 22, and December 6, 2026. They cost an additional 6 euros on top of the exhibition admission.

Is there a supporting program for the opening?

On October 23, 2026, Tomoyuki Miyamoto will present the history of a Kyoto workshop for handwoven Kabuki costumes. The lecture will be in Japanese with German translation and is included in the entrance to the special exhibition.

Which artists are represented in the exhibition?

Among the featured artists are Tōshūsai Sharaku, Utagawa Kunisada, Utagawa Toyokuni, and Natori Shunsen.

Is the exhibition accessible to people with disabilities?

The Museum Five Continents is noted as partially accessible. For specific information on accessibility, it is recommended to inquire with the museum.

Kabuki in Munich: Discover Theater, Prints, and a Fascinating Fan Culture

Name: Kabuki – Theater, Prints, Fan Culture
Start: 2026-10-23T09:30:00+02:00
End: 2027-05-02T17:30:00+02:00
Location: Museum Fünf Kontinente

Kabuki in Munich: When Theater, Color Woodblock Prints, and Fan Culture Come Alive

From October 23, 2026, to May 2, 2027, the Museum Five Continents in Munich will dedicate itself to the fascinating world of Japanese Kabuki theater. The exhibition combines dramatic stage art with artistic print graphics, precious textiles, and the history of an early cult of stardom.

A Visual World Full of Movement and Strong Emotions

Kabuki originated in the early 17th century and unites acting, dance, and music into a sensually charged theater experience. Love, jealousy, family dramas, loyalty, and honor shape the stories. Expressive poses, magnificent costumes, and carefully composed stage moments combine into an aesthetic that also unfolds its effect outside the theater.

The exhibition presents color woodblock prints from over three centuries, showcasing how the urban visual culture of Japan captured the famous actors, roles, and dramatic scenes of Kabuki. The works preserve fleeting moments that existed only briefly on stage.

Sharaku, Kunisada, and the Art of Actor Portraits

A special emphasis is placed on Tōshūsai Sharaku, of whom a total of 13 prints will be displayed. The enigmatic artist was only active for a short time but is considered one of the most significant creators of expressive actor portraits. His precise physiognomies and tense postures give the depicted figures a compelling presence.

Further works by Utagawa Kunisada, Utagawa Toyokuni, and Natori Shunsen guide visitors through different eras and stylistic developments of the Japanese color woodblock print. The examination of the works provides insights into composition, line work, color effects, and the cultural significance of actor images.

Textiles, Film, and the Exhibition Atmosphere

Exquisite textiles illustrate the extraordinary splendor and craftsmanship of Kabuki costumes. Their materials, patterns, and colors make the visual dramaturgy of the stage immediately comprehensible. Extracts of contemporary Kabuki productions expand the presentation into an audiovisual dimension and make the theater experience palpable in the museum space.

As Japanese color woodblock prints are light-sensitive, a large part of the works will be exchanged halfway through the exhibition period. This protects the sensitive paper works and simultaneously allows the presentation of a larger number of woodblock prints.

Lecture and Curator Tours

At the opening on October 23, 2026, Tomoyuki Miyamoto will present the history of a Kyoto workshop for handwoven Kabuki costumes. The traditional craft technique will be demonstrated with original tools; the lecture will be in Japanese with German translation and is included in the entrance to the special exhibition.

Curator tours on October 25, November 22, and December 6, 2026, will delve into central themes of the exhibition. Among other things, the focus will be on the woodblock prints by Sharaku, stage figures, ghost stories, tragic romances, and the fan culture of Kabuki. The tours cost an additional 6 euros on top of the exhibition admission.

Conclusion: An Art Experience Between Stage and Image

The exhibition Kabuki – Theater, Prints, Fan Culture offers a multifaceted aesthetic experience between theater history, Japanese print graphics, textile art, and popular fan culture. Art enthusiasts will experience how closely acting, visual art, and cult of stardom are interconnected. A visit to the Museum Five Continents enriches the examination of the works with moving images, historical contexts, and the special exhibition atmosphere of Kabuki.