Spectacular Japan

Japan’s fascinating encounter with the circus Spectacular Japan: From Misemono to Big Top explores the circus arts as a theme in Japanese and Western visual culture, revealing how spectacle and performance shaped artistic exchange between Japan and the West. The publication brings together Japanese woodblock prints, kimonos, costumes, circus posters and photographs to illuminate a fascinating history of spectacle across cultures. This publication traces the history of spectacle in Japan, from traditional street theatre and misemono to the modern circus, and examines its influence on visual and performing arts in Japan and the West. Japanese woodblock prints, kimonos, costumes, posters, and photographs bring this history to life, drawing primarily on The Ringling’s renowned collections alongside works from institutional and private lenders.