Visions Across the Ocean: Paul Jacoulet’s Woodblock Prints

Paul Jacoulet lived an unusual life. Raised in Japan as the son of a French professor, he enjoyed a privileged childhood studying the arts with top masters. After a brief stint as a secretary and translator at the French embassy, he fully committed to art following the 1923 Great Kantō Earthquake. He founded the Jacoulet Institute of Prints at his home in Akasaka, Tokyo, and controlled all aspects of publication, which allowed him to pursue ambitious projects using hundreds of printing blocks and expensive pigments. 

An avid traveler, Jacoulet drew his print designs from the sites he visited and the people he met. In Visions Across the Ocean: Paul Jacoulet’s Woodblock Prints, we invite visitors to explore the world through his prints, which are juxtaposed with works from the region.

This exhibition extends across the second, third, and fourth floors in the West tower. Continue your journey with Jacoulet by following the wayfinding.