When Japan’s Tokugawa Shogunate took power in 1603, it ushered in a transformative era of peace and economic prosperity that saw vibrant urban centers like Edo (present-day Tokyo) flourish as never before. While the Edo period is celebrated for its spectacular art, particularly the woodblock prints known as ukiyo-e, it also fostered remarkable innovations including a dynamic urban food culture. This August, as a special complement to our current NEO-JAPONISM exhibition, travel back through time to discover the rich history of Edo cuisine and the artists that immortalized it, while sampling authentic dishes from the period.
As an expert in both Edo-period cuisine and ukiyo-e, guest speaker Ukiyo Kuruma—acclaimed Japanese historical novelist and member of the International Ukiyo-e Society—will lead a talk on the fascinating intersection of food and art in Edo. Among her best-selling works, Kuruma has written seven books about Tsutaya Jūzaburō, the famous publisher who helped popularize many ukiyo-e artists, and has also published books on Edo-period cuisine and recipes. Drawing from her extensive research into metropolitan Edo lifestyles, she’ll reveal the stories behind legendary works by Hokusai, Utamaro, and Hiroshige, showing how these iconic artists captured the city life around them from urban landscapes, to entertainment, to a bustling food scene. She’ll also explore how Japanese cuisine evolved during this period, with new preparations, flavors, and dishes becoming popular in urban centers, leaving a lasting influence on Japanese food today.
Following the presentation, experience an authentic tasting of traditional Edo-period inspired cuisine that brings the past to life prepared by Chef Kazuma Yamasaki. Sample delicate shiraae (tofu and vegetables with sesame and white miso paste), expertly prepared oshizushi (pressed sushi), and seasonal tempura—dishes that allow you to taste history while connecting classic ukiyo-e art with the actual culinary traditions they celebrated. Join us for an exclusive rare window into how people tasted and savored life in old Edo.
Program Schedule
*Subject to change
- 10:00 AM | Doors Open
- 10:30 AM | Talk by Guest Speaker
- 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM | Tasting Experience
Spotlight on Edo Period Cuisine
Chef Kazuma Yamasaki will be the chef preparing all dishes featured in the program, bringing his deep-rooted expertise and passion for the sea to every plate. Awaji Island, located in the Seto Inland Sea, has long been a hub for both commercial and local fishing and is known for its rich and enduring fishing culture. Chef Yamasaki hails from a family with a 200-year fishing legacy on the island. As the owner of Fisherman’s Table and with more than two decades of hands-on fishing experience, he channels this heritage into his culinary craft, celebrating the flavors and traditions of his family’s hometown.
- Shiraae
- Konjac and vegetables dressed in a smooth blend of tofu, white miso, and ground sesame.
- Oshizushi
- Pressed sushi with shrimp and seasonal fish
- Irizake Tamago
- Egg marinated in irizake, a traditional Japanese seasoning made by simmering sake, dried bonito flakes, and pickled plum (umeboshi).
- Tempura
- Fried seasonal ingredients
* Menu subject to change
** Possible allergens include soy, sesame, eggs, white, fish, shellfish
About the Speaker
Ukiyo Kuruma
Japanese Historical Novelist, Ukiyo-e Expert and Edo cooking researcher. Member of the International Ukiyo-e Society.
After graduating from Osaka University of Arts, Ukiyo Kuruma started her career as an art director. She studied scenario writing under great film director Kaneto Shindo to achieve her long-cherished dream of becoming a writer. Following her nomination as a finalist in the Japan Scenario Grand Prix, Ukiyo won the first prize in the …
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Scenario Writer Contest in 2005. Her biography of Fudeko Ishii, a pioneering welfare activist in the Meiji Period, was made intoa movie in 2007, starring actress Takako Tokiwa.
Ukiyo further developed her career in Japanese historical writing. Her 2014 best-seller Tsutaju no Oshie was the first novel to feature Tsutaya Jūzaburō, the protagonist of this year’s NHK Taiga Drama UNBOUND. She has published seven books about him to date.
In addition to her historical publications, her deep interest in the lifestyles of metropolitan Edo (the former name of Tokyo) has inspired her to publish books on Edo-period cuisine and recipes.
Another specialty of Ukiyo Kuruma is ukiyo-e —Japanese wood block prints that were very popular during the Edo period (1603-1868). With her wide knowledge of the Edo culture, she gives lectures and seminars at adult colleges, focusing on ukiyo-e that depict the everyday lives of people during that time, including kabuki actors, sumo wrestlers, beautiful women, and ordinary people. Ukiyo is particularly interested in the fact that ukiyo-e prints had a decisive influence on European Impressionists and Post-Impressionists, including Édouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne and Vincent van Gogh. The eccentric compositions and unconventional techniques of ukiyo-e artists greatly astonished Europeans at the time, who were used to traditional, realistic paintings.
Ukiyo is engaged in other traditional Japanese arts, including haiku (short poems), kouta (ballads sung to shamisen, a traditional instrument), tea ceremony, and flower arrangement.
In 2024, Ukiyo opened an Edo-style rental kitchen studio called Ukiyo’s Kitchen and broadcasts videos.
Co-Presented by
Related Exhibition
NEO-JAPONISM | SAMURAI AND BEYOND: Exploring Tradition Through Technology
Dates
Fri. Feb. 14 – Mon. Sep. 1, 2025
Hours
Mon. – Fri. | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sat. – Sun. | 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Location
JAPAN HOUSE Gallery, Level 2
Fee
Free
