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Research project
Cultural history

In Commemoration of 150 Years of the 1873 Vienna World Exhibition (Expo) – Bridging Japan and Europe

Vienna celebrated the 150th anniversary of the 1873 Vienna World Exhibition in 2023. To mark the occasion, the Weltmuseum Wien 2023 also focused on this topic.

The image features a historical view of a Japanese garden, showcasing traditional structures surrounded by lush greenery. In the background, a pagoda-like building stands tall, signifying an authentic cultural atmosphere. The scene conveys a serene outdoor space typical of Japanese aesthetics.

About the project

As part of the project In Commemoration of 150 Years of the 1873 Vienna World Exhibition (Expo) – Bridging Japan and Europe at the Weltmuseum Wien (KHM-Museumsverband), a short edutainment Film Japan at the Vienna World Exhibition and the Database of Japanese Exhibits at the 1873 World Exhibition were completed with the help of financial support from the Japan World Exposition Commemorative Fund/Kansai Osaka 21st Century Association (JEC).

A black box contains six decorative dish plates, each with intricate gold or colored designs. The plates feature varying colors, including red, gold, and dark hues, with some displaying elegant inscriptions. The arrangement suggests a curated collection of artistic craftsmanship.
Lacquer box with six small bowls with poems by the poets Rokkasen, inv.nr. 119892 © KHM-Museumsverband, Weltmuseum Wien
A traditional Japanese figure stands upright, wearing a black robe with red accents and intricate details. The figure holds a stick in one hand and features a stylized hairstyle. It is placed on a black base, emphasizing its historical significance and craftsmanship.
Figure of a Shinto priest, inv.nr. 119914 © KHM-Museumsverband, Weltmuseum Wie
A large, decorative hand fan made of wood, featuring a wide, curved shape with slats radiating from a central handle. The fan is primarily brown, showcasing natural wood grain patterns. It is placed against a neutral gray background.
Fan, inv.nr. 22115 © KHM-Museumsverband, Weltmuseum Wien
A decorative red lidded bowl with intricate gold floral designs on the lid. The bowl is shown partially open, revealing a smooth black interior. The glossy finish highlights the craftsmanship and elegance of the piece.
Lacquer box, inv.nr. 119920 © KHM-Museumsverband, Weltmuseum Wien
A cylindrical black pouch made of woven material, featuring a lid at the top. Attached labels include numbers and the phrase
Cigar case, inv.nr. 119910 © KHM-Museumsverband, Weltmuseum Wien
The image depicts a traditional Japanese garden, featuring wooden structures, a stone lantern, and landscaped paths. Trees and shrubs are strategically placed, contributing to the serene atmosphere of the garden. The setting reflects an aesthetic design typical of Japanese architecture and nature integration.
A crumpled piece of paper with handwritten Japanese characters. The text is not fully legible due to the wrinkles and age of the paper, suggesting it may be an important note or document. The paper appears worn and fragile.
Mica, inv.nr. 33331 © KHM-Museumsverband, Weltmuseum Wien
A closed, rectangular box with a black leather exterior embellished with intricate gold designs. The box features decorative patterns and is secured with a strap and lock in the center.
Casket for letters, inv.nr. 119908 © KHM-Museumsverband, Weltmuseum Wien
The image features the logo of the EXPO'70 Fund, which includes the text
Logo for the EXPO' 70 Fund featuring a green design with a stylized flower made of circular shapes and a central dot. The text

Project management
Dr. Bettina Zorn, Curator of the East Asia Collection, Weltmuseum Wien

Research assistants
Agnes Schwanzer, BA; Alexandra Kobalt, BA; Sibylle Girmond, MA

Translation
Kana Totsuka, MA; Alexandra Kobalt, BA; Eiko Funada

Interns
Leonard Stiles; Nicole Lorek, BA, BA; Hannah Außerdorfer, BSc; Alexandra Kobalt, BA; Elyar Najmehchi, MA; Julia Nussbaumer; Komari Fujio, BA; Theresa Forstenlehner, BA; Lara Deniz Ersoy, BA.

Data preparation
Agnes Schwanzer, BA

Goobi database system: Support from intranda GmbH

With the kind support of Hanna Schneck MSc, Director KHM Museum Library

Contact
bettina.zorn@weltmuseumwien.at; repository@khm.at

Duration
The two sub-projects were carried out in the period from April 2022 to March 2024 on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Vienna World Exhibition (1873–2023).

The film

Japan auf der Wiener Weltausstellung 1873 & Datenbank der japanischen Exponate dort – TRAILER

The film can be seen in the Japan room ‚1873 – Japan comes to Europe‘ of our display collection.

The Database

The Japanese Meiji government (1868–1912) sent around 6,800 exhibits to the World Exhibition in Vienna in 1873. Part of the research project is to record objects that still exist today, both in Viennese museum collections and in publicly accessible collections worldwide, and to link them virtually with their historical catalogue information.

The database is available in three languages: German, Japanese and English.

The information on the individual objects is summarized from Japanese and German sources, compared with each other and thus made easier to find digitally. The aim is to enable further re-use and research of the data in accordance with the FAIR principles. Object histories on Japan's economy, art and culture in exchange with the West will be added to the online database in the future.

The official exhibition catalogue of the Japanese commission in German was used as the basis and framework for the database: Catalog der kaiserlichen japanischen Ausstellung 1873, Vienna 1873. A Japanese original version is still not known today. However, there are many administrative lists that were compiled by members of the Japanese exhibition commission in 1872, 1873 and later. They are now in the Tokyo National Museum and other institutions in Japan.

Some of the original Japanese material was published by the Tokyo National Cultural Research Institute in 1997: 明治期万国博覧会美術品出品目録 / 東京国立文化財研究所美術部 (Meijiki bankoku hakurankai bijutsuhin shuppin mokuroku / Tōkyō Kokuritsu Bunkazai Kenkyūjo Bijutsubu hen, Catalog of artworks exhibited at the Meiji Period World's Fair / compiled by the Art Department of the National Cultural Properties Research Institute, Tokyo), 東京: 中央公論美術出版, 平成 9 (Tōkyō: Chūō Kōron Bijtusu Shuppan, Heisei 9 [1997. 5]).

This publication is based on the work of: Yokomizo 1993–1994

横溝廣子Yokomizo, Hiroko [黒川廣子 Kurokawa, Hiroko], ウイーン万国博覧会出品目録草稿. 美術工芸編 (Draft for Japanese Catalogue of Vienna Universal Exhibition. Sections of Arts and Crafts, Part I–III), in: 美術研究 (The Bijutsu Kenkyu. The Journal of Art Studies, 編集. 東京国立文化財研究所美術部 (Department of Fine Arts, Tokyo National Research Institute of Cultural Properties), 通号 357, 1993.7, p. 260–269, 通号 358, 1993.12, p. 329–355, 通号 359, 1994.3, p. 30–68.

If available, historical images from a photo album from 1872, current data on location/whereabouts in current museum collections, inventory number, photograph, etc. are added to the data.

Exhibition of the Japanese Department 1873 A tabular overview of the available data material for each group.

Gliederung der Weltausstellung 1873 Katalog­nummern aus dem Japanischen transkribiert
Gruppe I. Bergbau und Hüttenwesen 357 nicht transkribiert
Gruppe II. Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Wein- und Obstbau und Gartenbau, landwirtschaftliche Maschinen 604 nicht transkribiert
Gruppe III. Chemische Industrie 202 nicht transkribiert
Gruppe IV. Nahrungs- und Genussmittel als Erzeugnisse der Industrie 562 nicht transkribiert
Gruppe V. Textil- und Bekleidungs-Industrie 1674 [1566] nicht transkribiert
Gruppe VI. Leder- und Kautschuk-Industrie 106 transkribiert
Gruppe VII. Metall-Industrie 748 transkribiert
Gruppe VIII. Holz-Industrie 618 transkribiert
Gruppe IX. Stein-, Thon- und Glas-Industrie 384 transkribiert
Gruppe X. Kurzwaaren- Industrie 635 transkribiert
Gruppe XI. Papier-Industrie 394 nicht transkribiert
Gruppe XII. Graphische Künste und gewerbliches Zeichnen 15 transkribiert
Gruppe XIII. Maschinenwesen und Transportmittel 4 nicht transkribiert
Gruppe XIV. Wissenschaftliche Instrumente 19 nicht transkribiert
Gruppe XV. Musikalische Instrumente 38 transkribiert
Gruppe XVI. Heereswesen / /
Gruppe XVII. Marinewesen 18 nicht transkribiert
Gruppe XVIII. Bau- und Civil-Ingenieurwesen 99 nicht transkribiert
Gruppe XIX. Das bürgerliche Wohnhaus mit seiner inneren Einrichtung und Ausschmückung 71 transkribiert
Gruppe XX. Das Bauernhaus mit seiner Einrichtung und seinen Geräthen 3 transkribiert
Gruppe XXI. Nationale Hausindustrie / /
Gruppe XXII. Darstellung der Wirksamkeit der Museen für Kunstgewerbe / /
Gruppe XXIII. Kirchliche Kunst 22 transkribiert
Gruppe XXIV. Objekte von Kunst und Kunstgewerbe früherer Zeiten 47 transkribiert
Gruppe XXV. Bildende Kunst der Gegenwart 48 transkribiert
Gruppe XXVI. 1. Erziehungs-, Unterrichts-, und Bildungswesen / /
Additionelle Ausstellung der Frauenarbeiten / /
Additionelle Ausstellung: Pavillon des Kindes [?] /
Additionelle Ausstellung: Geschichte der Gewerbe und Erfindungen / /
Additionelle Ausstellung: Geschichte der Preise / /
Additionelle Ausstellung: Abfallsverwerthung / /
Additionelle Ausstellung: Darstellung des Welthandels [?] /
  gesamt 6.560  

Project description:
https://repository.khm.at/viewer/japan/weltausstellung/1873

Notes on using the database:
https://repository.khm.at/viewer/japan/weltausstellung/1873/info

Daimyō residence

The model of a daimyō residence was exhibited at the Vienna World Exhibition in the Palace of Industry under the category Group 19: ‘The bourgeois residence with its interior furnishings and decorations: executed buildings, models and drawings of the bourgeois residence of the cultured peoples; fully furnished living quarters.’ In addition to the Roman numeral XIX, the Japanese paper label on this model house bears the number 19. It was built in 1872 by the Musashiya Masayuki model-making workshop in the Asakusa district of Tōkyō.

A detailed architectural model showcases traditional Japanese buildings, featuring distinct curved and tiled roofs, wooden structures, and intricate design elements. The model highlights the craftsmanship and layout of the buildings, emphasizing their historical and cultural significance.
Modell einer Daimyō-Residenz, buke hinagata 武家雛形, VO_117752 © KHM-Museumsverband, Weltmuseum Wien
A detailed wooden model of a traditional Japanese house, showcasing intricate architectural elements such as a tiled roof, sliding doors, and wooden beams. The model conveys a sense of historical craftsmanship and design typical of Japanese residential structures.
Modell einer Daimyō-Residenz, buke hinagata 武家雛形, VO_117752 © KHM-Museumsverband, Weltmuseum Wien

The model can be seen in the Japan Room of our permanent collection.

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