Samurai refined themselves into artful human beings in a variety of ways, not just through mastery of warfare. Come take in works created by Japanese botanist and samurai Iwasaki Tsunemasa, (1786-1842), who printed under the pseudonym Kan-en.

Feast your eyes upon brilliant Japanese woodblock flora and fauna art from the Edo Period (1603-1868), a time in Japanese cultural and political history of relative peace and stability. This period provides the inspiration for the Arboretum’s Japanese Garden and is characterized by the innovation of artistic techniques, such as colored wood-block printing.

Kan-en created these gorgeous and scientifically accurate set of plant prints in the early 1800s. The resulting set of books, “Honzō Zufu” (“Illustrated Manual of Medicinal Plants”), was published between 1916 and 1922.

All prints in this exhibition are from the Andersen Horticultural Library’s rare book collection, and many are by Kan-en. Wood-block prints by prominent Japanese artists from the Shijō School of Painting in Kyoto also are featured.

Come take a trip to Japan in the Andersen Horticultural Library, located on the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum grounds, near Chanhassen. The Arb charges admission; please check the website for a reservation; members get in free. This exhibit continues through Aug. 12, 2022.

By mid-May, you’ll be able to take in this wonderful exhibit of gemlike prints along with real-life treasures blooming at the Arb. Tulips, anyone?

Exhibit details

What: Journey through Japan: Traditional woodblock prints from the Edo Period (1603-1868)
When: Through Aug. 12, 2022
Where: Andersen Horticultural Library, located at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Hours: Open during library hours at the Andersen Horticultural Library