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, a quarterly English-language magazine.
The Society organized several exhibitions in the Netherlands.
The 1992 Yoshitoshi exhibition as well as the 1998 Kuniyoshi exhibition were held in Europe as well
as in the United States.
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, a quarterly English-language magazine.