Edoardo Chiossone Museum of Oriental Art: a bridge between Genoa and the Far East

The Edoardo Chiossone Museum of Oriental Art in Genoa is one of the most important museums of Asian art in Europe. Founded thanks to the legacy of Edoardo Chiossone — an engraver and lithographer from Genoa who lived for many years in Japan — the museum houses an extraordinary collection of artifacts not only from Japan but also from China and Siam (modern-day Thailand). This space is not just a museum, but a true window open to ancient cultures, offering a deep insight into the art and spirituality of the Far East.

A treasure of Japanese art and craftsmanship

The museum’s collection is vast, covering a time span from the 7th to the 19th century, with a particular emphasis on Japanese art. The exhibition path is carefully designed to guide visitors through different forms of art, each representing the richness and refinement of Eastern civilizations. Among the most significant pieces are:

• Buddhist Sculptures: bronze, wood, and stone figures reflecting the spiritual and artistic evolution of Buddhism in Japan and China.
• Weapons and Armor: a rich section dedicated to the samurai, with complete armors, helmets, and an outstanding collection of swords (katana) from various periods.
• Ceramics and Porcelain: vases, bowls, and statuettes showcasing the mastery of Japanese and Chinese artisans in ceramic craftsmanship.
• Prints and Paintings: precious woodblock prints (ukiyo-e), including works by masters such as Hiroshige and Utamaro, depicting life, landscapes, and theater during the Edo period.
   

The museum is also a tribute to Chiossone himself, who, through his passion for Japanese art, assembled one of the most complete collections outside Japan, helping to introduce a distant and fascinating world to the West.

Visitor Information

• Address: Villetta di Negro, Via R. S. Sasso, 3, 16122 Genoa
• Contacts:
  • Phone: 010 542285
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Website: museidigenova.it/museo-chiossone
• Opening Hours:
  • Tuesday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
  • Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
  • Closed on Mondays
• Ticket Prices:
  • Full ticket: €5.00
  • Reduced ticket: €3.00 (for visitors aged 18–25 and groups of at least 15 people)
  • Free admission: for visitors under 18, on Thursday afternoons, and on the first Sunday of each month

Cover photo credits: Cymothoa exigua, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0