Society for Japanese Arts

A Brief History

In 1937 'The Society for Japanese Arts and Crafts' which was later renamed 'Society for Japanese Arts' was founded by a small group of Dutch collectors and dealers. Meetings took place in the houses of its members who aimed at "bringing together collectors and those interested in Japanese art in general and graphic art more specifically in order to further the appreciation of these arts and their study".

From its earliest days the Society met regularly and bulletins were published for those members unable to attend. The Society's first exhibition took place in the Frans Hals Museum in Haarlem in 1938. More exhibitions were to follow, having in common that the works exhibited were mainly drawn from private collections. In the 1960s the Society widened its scope, introducing members from the United States, Japan, Germany, England and France. In the 70s the Society became truly international; by that time it had more than 400 members. In the 80s the Society was put firmly on the map with the publication of a monthly Newsletter and the start of Andon, an English-language magazine.

Our Society Today

By now the SJA has over 800 members in some 29 countries and its current activities consist of:

• Organizing exhibitions on a regular bases. The 1992 Yoshitoshi exhibition as well as the 1998 Kuniyoshi exhibition were held in Europe as well as in the United States. In 2007 the Society organized the exhibition A Brush with Animals. In December 2009 the exhibition Japan Tattoo started displaying more than seventy woodblock prints from members’ collections in Europe as well as the States.
• Issuing a Newsletter four times a year.
• Publishing the magazine Andon two times a year plus incidental specials.
• Organizing activities like study-meetings, workshops and lectures.
• Encouraging research and publications by Heinz M. Kaempfer Fund.

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