In April 2024, I went to see the exhibition, Thermae: Anceint Rome, Japan and the Joy of Bathing. The unusual blend of bathing culture, Japan and Ancient Rome, which formed the subjects of this exhibition, were linked together by the popular Japanese manga, Teruma Romae by Mari Yamazaki. Located in the Shiodome Panasonic Building‘s Rouault Gallery in central Tokyo, the Termae Exhibition will be running until 9 June 2024 (Sun).
This exhibition included an eclectic mix of items, from Roman busts and jewellery to Japanese wood block prints and soap. Taking their lead from the Termae Romae manga, the exhibition organisers drew parallels with the bathing cultures of Ancient Rome and modern day Japan. The manga’s main character, Lucius, helps to guide visitors through the exhibition with friendly panels written in the voice of the manga’s protagonist. Illustrations from the manga also gave the exhibition an accessible, ‘pop’ kind of feeling. The exhibition was well laid out and informative, with English translations as well as Japanese provided for most explanations. The exhibition also included areas in which photography was permitted, which helps visitors feel more connected to the exhibits.
On a week-day, the exhibition was not crowded and I felt happy to linger over the objects I found interesting. Despite its small size, the exhibition contained over 100 items. In particular, I found the Roman bust of Emperor Caracalla incredibly lifelike. I also enjoyed seeing the beautifully colourful Roman glass cups and the intricately constructed Roman rings. While the exhibition does include some replicas, many items were original artifacts. The Japanese items were also interesting and included large scale models of bath houses in Japan. One of these, Myojin-yu, actually exists in Tokyo to this day. Besides these intricate constructions, there were wood block prints, ink line drawings from the Edo period and accoutrements from the evolution of bath culture in Japan.
I had expected the manga and its creator to feature as little more prominently, but even without this, the exhibition was enjoyable. The eclectic subject matter, the high-quality exhibits and the small, hidden atmosphere of the museum made for a special experience. Hopefully, visitors attracted by the lure of Ancient Roman artifacts might find themselves intrigued by the manga illustrations and go on to read the manga. Likewise, fans of the manga would enjoy the tangible nature of the artifacts on display, as well as the in-depth explanations.
Thermae: Anceint Rome, Japan and the Joy of Bathing will be running until 9 June 2024 (Sun) at the Shiodome Panasonic Building‘s Rouault Gallery in central Tokyo. The closest station is Shiodome on the Oedo Line and the Yurikamome Line.
