Japan's earliest pottery is more than 12,000 years old, and this Met show follows clay from those hand-shaped vessels to kintsugi, the art of mending broken ceramics with gold lacquer so they become more precious. It marks 50 years since the Packard Collection founded The Met's Japanese holdings, pairing pots with lacquer, textiles, paintings and prints. If you love kintsugi or Japanese design, it is a calm, rewarding stop.
What to expect
Expect a long suite of galleries of tea wares, serving vessels and early pottery set beside related art forms that show how ceramics fit into Japanese cuisine, ritual and daily life. Works rotate in phases, so the selection changes over the run.
Good to know
- In Galleries 223–232 at The Met Fifth Avenue
- Included with Museum admission
- Works rotate in several phases, so a repeat visit can show different pieces
- Nearest subway is the 4/5/6 at 86th Street
- Pairs with Flip Sides: Seeing Korean Art Anew nearby in the Asian art galleries
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Common questions
Does the show change over time?
Yes. The Met lists five rotations between January 2026 and August 2027.
What is kintsugi?
A Japanese technique of repairing broken ceramics with gold lacquer, restoring function while making the object even more valuable.
