Edo Gourmet Dishes

The Edo period was an era of significant development in the Japanese food culture. Today, Japanese dishes, such as sushi, soba, and tempura, enjoy great popularity, but their roots can be traced back to the Edo period. At that time, these Japanese foods were enjoyed by common people as easily accessible fast food. Moreover, during the Edo period, seasonings essential for flavoring dishes, such as miso, vinegar, and soy sauce, became widely distributed. The people of Edo not only cooked at home; they also bought side dishes from nearby shops, visited food stalls, and dined at restaurants, savoring a variety of delicious cuisines.

Ukiyo-e, which is based on the lives of common people, depicts a wide variety of dishes, ingredients, and dining scenes. This exhibition will present the charm of “Edo Gourmet Dishes” through 90 works of ukiyo-e by popular artists, such as Hokusai, Hiroshige, and Kuniyoshi.

Sushi, soba noodles, and tempura: “Edo Gourmet Dishes” in ukiyo-e

Sushi, soba noodles, and tempura, which have their roots in the Edo period, are popular Japanese foods. Their popularity has spread widely as fast foods that are easily enjoyed by common people. Here, we introduce “Edo Gourmet Dishes” and their ingredients and seasonings.

Hokusai, Hiroshige, and Kuniyoshi: Popular artists who depicted “Edo Gourmet Dishes”

Although Hokusai and Hiroshige are famous for their landscapes, and Kuniyoshi is famous for warrior pictures and caricatures, they also excelled in capturing the lives of the Edo people in their works. Please pay attention to the various ways “Edo Gourmet Dishes” are expressed, particularly in terms of differences in the famous masterpieces by Hokusai, Hiroshige, and Kuniyoshi.

Restaurants, food stalls, and home: “Edo Gourmet Dishes” enjoyed at various places

The Edo people not only cooked; they also bought prepared dishes from nearby stores and enjoyed eating out at food stalls. People also held banquets in fancy restaurants. Here, we introduce dining scenes depicting “Edo Gourmet Dishes” enjoyed at various places.

Admission

Adult	1000 yen
University and High school students	700 yen
Junior High School Students and below (under 15 years old)	Free

Calendar