Hokusai's Japan comes to Chicago in new exhibit
Why it matters: For the first time, the " Hokusai & Ukiyo-e: The Floating World" exhibition is visiting the U.S. At the Cleve Carney Museum of Art in Glen Ellyn, you can see artifacts, paintings and original works by Hokusai as well as handcrafted objects from the Edo period.
The vibe: You can also explore an immersive, comic-inspired room by Vanessa and Kevin Vu, owners of Chicago's 2d Restaurant.
The space is great for photo-ops and takes you through the evolution of manga-Japanese comics.
There are hands-on activities for kids inside the discovery center, and you can step outside to explore the Great Wave Gardens.
Context: A record 3.3 million foreigners traveled to Japan in July 2024, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.
Americans made up about 8% of inbound tourists last July.
What they're saying:"Japanese Ukiyo-e artists have had a profound influence on global visual culture, and although these works are centuries old, they continue to resonate powerfully with counterpart audiences," curator Justin Witte said in a statement.
My thought bubble: This exhibit is a must-see for anyone interested in exploring other cultures or fascinated by Japan's shogun era. You can also try Edo-inspired food and grab some memorabilia at the gift shop.
If you go: The exhibit opens Saturday at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art on the College of DuPage campus in Glen Ellyn.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Oh no! Hypocritical celebrities abandon US, blaming Trump. What will we do now?
If celebrities, or anyone else, want to flee the US because a Republican is president, by all means, good riddance. I've never been so mad at a political party or a politician that I felt like leaving my country. I love America too much to even consider it. But a slew of celebrities have done that. Late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel just announced during an appearance on the "The Sarah Silverman Podcast" on Aug. 7 that he obtained Italian citizenship. Kimmel alluded that President Donald Trump and the political climate he's created were contributing factors. It's not clear if Kimmel plans to move to Italy full time. "What's going on is as bad as you thought it was going to be," Kimmel said to Silverman during the podcast. "Way worse," Silverman said. "It's so much worse. It's just unbelievable," Kimmel said about America's political climate. "Like I feel like it's probably even worse than he would like it to be." Kimmel joins other celebrities who fled America and blame Trump Kimmel joins several high-profile celebrities who have sought refuge elsewhere because of Trump. It's a fascinating example of how self-aggrandizement, celebrity and perception do not always equate to reality, common sense and gratitude. If anything, it fuels hypocrisy. People magazine reported in 2024 that the comedian and former daytime talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, had moved to England. DeGeneres confirmed in July that Trump's return to the White House prompted her move across the Atlantic. In March, comedian Rosie O'Donnell announced in a TikTok video that she moved to Ireland with her child. She's working on obtaining Irish citizenship. In the video, she said she moved because she didn't think she'd have equal rights under Trump. If these celebrities' ties to our nation were so weak that they could be severed because Americans elected a Republican president, how much did they care about the United States to begin with? Were they ever really freedom-loving Americans? Subscribe to my newsletterhere and get exclusive access to columns like this one – before anyone else Celebrities who abandon the US are hypocrites Celebrities are often hypocritical when it comes to their real lives, political beliefs and their careers. They'll claim they're anti-gun but make films with jarring violence and hire armed security for themselves. They'll tell other Americans how to vote − and it's mostly for Democrats − but live a lifestyle free of the economic and financial pressures that regular Americans face. Celebrities such as Miley Cyrus, Amy Schumer, Cher and Whoopi Goldberg threatened to leave America if Trump got elected in 2016, but they are still here. Perhaps they at least realize how silly it is to abandon their country because millions of their fellow citizens democratically elected a Republican into office. Perhaps they realized how hypocritical it was to live a life of luxury, thanks to America's free market principles, and then spit in its face because an election didn't go the way they wanted. When O'Donnell says she fled to Ireland out of fear that Americans like her would lose their rights, what does that really mean? Trump has signed no executive orders and Congress has passed no laws that strip any Americans of their fundamental rights. Federal anti-discrimination laws remain in place to protect all Americans, including the LGBTQ+ community. It's strange for someone like Kimmel, with a reported net worth of about $50 million, to flee the United States because of a supposedly difficult political environment. He still has a platform on network TV to ridicule Trump and other conservatives who don't support Kimmel's ultraprogressive opinions. Trump, meanwhile, is doing what 77 million voters said they wanted in November. He's secured the southern border, brought illegal immigration under control, bolstered the economy and is working to secure peace in the Middle East and Ukraine. If celebrities, or anyone else, want to flee the United States because a Republican is president, by all means, good riddance. If they can't appreciate the country that paved the way for their wealth and fame, and they want to believe they are victims of a difficult political climate, they deserve to wallow in their hypocrisy in a country that is a distant second to America's greatness. Nicole Russell is a columnist at USA TODAY and a mother of four who lives in Texas. Contact her at nrussell@ and follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @russell_nm. Sign up for her weekly newsletter, The Right Track, here.
Hypebeast
an hour ago
- Hypebeast
NEEDLES Unveils FW25 Classic Track Suit Series
Summary NEEDLES, the Japanese brand known for its distinctive blend of sportswear and vintage-inspired menswear, has officially unveiled itsFall/Winter 2025collection, which includes a new run of its iconic Classic Track Suit Series. The track suits are set to arrive in three new, distinct colorways: a bold red, a rich brown and a subtle deep green. Each piece is defined by the brand's signature side-stripe design and, most importantly, the embroidered butterfly motif. The classic track jacket and pants are made from a high-quality poly smooth fabric, giving them a sleek, slightly lustrous finish that's both comfortable and stylish. Each track suit features a matching jacket, with a pair of pants and a crew neck sweatshirt. The FW25 collection channels counterculture aesthetics and blends them with Ivy League influences, resulting in a unique style that has garnered a cult following. The track suits will be available throughNepenthesstores and select retailers, with the collection rolling out in a staggered release throughout the Fall/Winter season. Prices will range from $280 to $390 USD, depending on the specific item.
National Geographic
3 hours ago
- National Geographic
Why autumn is the ideal season for walking in Japan
It's Japan's cities that often hog the headlines — sprawling expanses of concrete, steel and neon, with gleaming skyscrapers surging upwards. Yet, most of the country looks completely different. Over 70% of the land is mountainous and more than 60% is forested — in other words, a walker's paradise. Japan is also threaded with ancient trails, forged by centuries of travellers. You can still follow stretches of the historic Tokaido and Nakasendo paths, linking Kyoto and Tokyo, and the pilgrims' trails of the Kumano Kodo. Autumn is the ideal time to explore these routes, as the sticky heat of summer subsides and the wooded mountainsides burst into burnished colour. From wandering in the footsteps of samurai to staying in traditional inns, here are six reasons Japan makes the ultimate walking destination. 1. Follow ancient trails walked by pilgrims and samurai Walking is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in Japan's history. The Nakasendo provides a look into the Edo period (1600-1868), when everyone from wandering merchants to samurai and nobles followed this inland route between Kyoto, home of the imperial family, and Tokyo, then called Edo and the seat of the shogun (military leader). Alternatively, connect with Japan's spiritual past on the Kumano Kodo — one of the only two UNESCO-registered pilgrimages, along with the Camino de Santiago in Spain. This network of interconnected trails in the mountains of the Kii Peninsula, south of Kyoto and Osaka, leads you to a series of atmospheric shrines. The 133-metre Nachi-no-Taki is located a short distance from Nachi Taisha — one of the three Kumano shrines. Photograph by Sean Pavone, Getty Images 2. Marvel at historic temples and shrines The Kumano Kodo's main shrines are all remarkable. Hayatama Taisha houses more than a dozen national treasures in its vermilion Treasure Hall, while Hongu Taisha is accessible through the world's largest torii (shrine gate), which stands an awe-inspiring 33 metres high. And at Nachi Taisha, a three-storey pagoda serenely stands watch over sacred Nachi-no-Taki — Japan's tallest single-tiered waterfall. Across the mountains to the north is the city of Nara, once an imperial capital and a centre of Buddhism. Though the most impressive of its many temples is Todaiji — home to the world's largest bronze Buddha — there are several to marvel at on a walking tour through the green expanse of Nara Park, where sacred deer roam free. Located at the foot of Mount Wakakusa, Nara Park is a must-visit attraction in Nara — particularly for the opportunity to spot one of the many free-roaming deer. Photograph by t_kimura, Getty Images 3. Explore scenic rural towns and villages One of the joys of a walking holiday in Japan is the chance to experience rural life. In some places, this looks like sleepy villages surrounded by wide-open fields; in others, you'll find hamlets hidden high in the cloud-hung forests. On the Kii Peninsula, one of the most breathtaking is Takahara, known as Kiri-no-sato (Village in the Mist). The Nakasendo route is also dotted with juku — post towns where weary travellers in bygone times found shelter and supplies. Many of these have been lovingly preserved by locals, with wooden buildings and cobbled paths offering a glimpse of the Edo era. You can visit three towns in one afternoon by following the time-worn track along the river valley between Magome, Tsumago and Nagiso. 4. See Japan's autumn foliage at its best The beauty of Japan's mountain paths is magnified in September and October, when blazes of copper and gold appear between the evergreens. As autumn continues, the colours spill down to lower altitudes, adding sepia tones and splashes of red to the townscapes. In Kyoto, the beating heart of Japanese culture for over 1,000 years, the effect is especially dramatic in the Higashiyama district. Follow the Philosopher's Path to see leaves swirling in the canal's gentle current, and the temple buildings of Nanzenji and Eikando framed by crimson maples and vibrant yellow ginkgo trees. Magome is a former post town in the Kiso Valley, which served as a stopping point for travellers on the Nakasendo. Photograph by blanscape, Getty Images 5. Enjoy traditional hospitality at a ryokan Staying in a ryokan (traditional inn) is one of the key highlights of a walking trip to Japan. With Kyoto's enduring links to classical Japanese culture, naturally the city has some of the best ryokan in the country, but you'll find them wherever you go. Many of the inns along the Kumano Kodo have an extra attraction: onsen, the natural hot springs which bubble up throughout this volcanically active country. After a long day of walking, as the chill of an autumn evening sets in, there's truly no better feeling than sinking into those warm, mineral-rich waters. 6. Taste some delicious food along the way A walking holiday here will certainly work up an appetite, and many ryokan serve kaiseki, an elevated multi-course cuisine that prizes local, seasonal ingredients. Autumn presents Japan's chefs with an embarrassment of riches — warming chestnuts and ginkgo nuts, fragrant matsutake mushrooms, juicy persimmons and rich salmon. Kyoto's Nishiki Market and Kii-Katsuura's Nigiwai Market are great places to sample what's in season. It's also well worth trying local specialities as you travel: after exploring the Philosopher's Path in Kyoto, take the time to try different varieties of sake. And in nearby Uji, Japan's green tea capital, savour a cup of fresh, grassy matcha. There are direct flights from London to Tokyo, as well as to Osaka-Kansai via international hubs. Within Japan, it's easy to get around using the comprehensive public transport network. Travelling with a knowledgeable guide will allow you get the most out of your trip and deepen your understanding of Japan's rich and complex culture; plus, a guide will help you spot unique local flora and fauna along the way. Explore Worldwide offers a 12-day Kumano Kodo tour covering all destinations mentioned in this article, with meals, transport and accommodation included. For more information, visit This paid content article was created for Explore Worldwide. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic, National Geographic Traveller (UK) or their editorial staffs. To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
