Snow Melts: Japanese Art Exhibition in Riga Explores Spring & Transition

The ephemeral beauty of spring, as envisioned through Japanese art, is now on display at the Mākslas muzejs RĪGAS BIRŽA (Riga Exchange Art Museum) with the opening of “Sniegs kūst. Japānas māksla” (“The Snow Melts. Japanese Art”). The exhibition, which opened February 2nd, 2026, centers on the season’s significance in Japanese culture – a time where the rhythms of nature, the human life cycle, and aesthetic perception converge in a symbolically rich experience. It’s a moment that marks the transition between old and new, both in the natural world and within human life, and serves as a crucial starting point for change.

Curator Kristīne Milere highlights the exhibition’s focus on hanami, the traditional custom of enjoying the transient beauty of flowers, particularly cherry blossoms. “Here’s one of the most popular places for viewing sakura blossoms in the Edo (former Tokyo) period,” Milere notes, referencing Utagawa Hiroshige’s perform, Asuka Hill in the Eastern Capital, from the 36 Views of Fuji series. The exhibition is structured around three key themes: “Flower Viewing,” “Kabuki,” and “Rituals,” each offering a different lens through which to explore the role of spring in Japanese life.

A World in Flux

The exhibition showcases a diverse collection of Japanese art forms, including ukiyo-e woodblock prints, lacquered objects, porcelain, and ceramics. Milere points out that even seemingly ornate pieces, like a particular Arita porcelain vase, reflect a core Japanese aesthetic principle. “This Arita porcelain vase was made for export, as it is oversaturated with ornaments, but Japanese culture is characterized by empty space, or so-called negative space,” she explains. This concept is echoed in the exhibition’s scenography, designed to highlight individual pieces and allow visitors to appreciate them as distinct entities. The exhibition notes themselves are presented in the form of a melting snow pile or falling cherry blossoms, reinforcing the theme of impermanence.

The curatorial approach aims to connect the objects on display with the broader context of ukiyo-e, revealing how each piece fits into the “scenes of the floating world” (the literal translation of ukiyo-e) and Japanese daily life. Many of the ukiyo-e works are a gift from the Japanese Utagawa Society to the Mākslas muzejs RĪGAS BIRŽA collection, supplemented by pieces from the collections of Latvian artists Gustavs Šķilters, Konrads Ubāns, and Ģederts Eliass, demonstrating the influence of Japanese art on artists worldwide. More information about the museum’s collection can be found on its website.

An Actor in Bloom

At the heart of the exhibition, visitors encounter a space inspired by the tokonoma, a recessed alcove in traditional Japanese architecture dedicated to the appreciation of beauty. The museum encourages visitors to remove their shoes before entering this area, creating a sense of reverence. This space transitions into the “Kabuki” section, which recreates the central part of a stage in this traditional Japanese theatrical form, extending into the audience. Known as the hanamiči, or “flower path,” this runway-like extension symbolizes the connection between the performers and the audience.

Milere explains that spring is not merely a backdrop for Kabuki performances, but a fundamental dramatic and symbolic element. “It is during this time of year that sword fights, love intrigues, and other decisive events take place in the plays,” she says, adding that spring was historically a time of leave for certain segments of society, leading to increased theater attendance. The visual language of Kabuki often incorporates blooming cherry and plum blossoms, linked to the characters’ personalities and fates. Milere highlights a scene from the dance drama A Smile Seems to Bloom Over Distant Hills as a particularly striking example. “This is the only work in which we do not observe any depiction of spring flowers, but in this case, it is the actor himself who blooms before the eyes of the audience like a plum blossom – this is also a moment of beauty fading, because everything ends after the performance.”

Wishes for the Year Ahead

The final section of the exhibition focuses on spring rituals, which blend natural cycles, purification, renewal, and community. The Hinamatsuri festival, celebrated on March 3rd, is a particular focus. Families display dolls representing the imperial court, praying for the health, happiness, and favorable future of their daughters. “We have a daira-bina, or a pair of dolls representing the Japanese emperor and empress. We received this set from Toshie Kavaguchi, the wife of former Japanese Ambassador Yasuhiro Kavaguchi, who was gifted it by her parents. Since they only have sons and no daughters to pass it on to, they donated this doll pair to the museum,” Milere shares. Visitors are also invited to participate in a Japanese tradition by writing their wishes for 2026 and attaching them to an interactive wall.

Looking ahead, Mākslas muzejs RĪGAS BIRŽA is shifting towards conceptual exhibitions. Museum director Daiga Upeniece announced that a demonstrate featuring Latvian painter Jānis Avotiņš, and potentially Spanish artist Lido Rico, is planned for May, exploring potential connections between their work. In the autumn, the exhibition Pilnības rags (“Horn of Plenty”) will examine the concept of abundance in ancient heritage, Asian culture, and European Christian traditions, as well as the museum itself as a repository of cultural wealth. The Ministry of Culture website provides further details on upcoming exhibitions.

A Moment to Breathe

The exhibition is accompanied by a rich program of events. On March 13th, 2026, at 5:00 PM, the museum will host a musical conversation, The Imagery and Atmosphere of Traditional Japanese Classical Music, with Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Music Academy emeritus professor Boriss Avramecs. He will explore the close relationship between music and nature observation in Japanese culture, particularly during spring. On March 17th, a butoh workshop led by Simona Orinska will offer participants an introduction to this unique Japanese dance form. A family day, Sniegs kūst, will be held on March 22nd, offering creative activities inspired by the exhibition, and a discussion salon, A Journey to Japan, with art historian Vita Ozoliņa, will take place on April 24th. The museum’s profile on muzeji.lv provides information on accessibility and services.

The exhibition offers a compelling exploration of Japanese culture and aesthetics, inviting visitors to contemplate the beauty of impermanence and the cyclical nature of life. The museum’s shift towards conceptual exhibitions signals an exciting new direction, promising further opportunities for engaging and thought-provoking experiences. The upcoming program of events provides a deeper dive into the themes explored in “Sniegs kūst. Japānas māksla,” offering visitors a chance to connect with Japanese art and culture on multiple levels.