Exhibition: ‘Musubi’ – 50 Years of Cartier in Japan

Inside the Tokyo National Museum.

In 1974, Cartier opened its first boutique in Japan and now marks its 50th anniversary in the country with MUSUBI – Half-Century of Cartier in Japan and Beyond: an Everlasting Dialogue of Beauty and Art, an exhibition of jewels, watches, and objet d’art taking place at the Hyokeikan building in the Tokyo National Museum from June 12 to July 28, 2024.

The theme of the event is 結び (musubi), which translates literally as “conclusion” but its constituent characters can mean “the power of the divine spirit is produced by being bound together.”

Tokyo National Museum with the flag of the exhibition under its dome

Taking place in the building’s two symmetrical wings, the exhibition will be presented in parallel narratives separated into two main sections: “Cartier and Japan, a Tribute to Art and Beauty” and “Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain and Japanese Artists, a Never-Ending Conversation.”

The exhibition’s scenography was designed by Studio Adrien Gardère to display the heritage of Hyokeikan’s architecture, while illustrating Cartier’s tribute to Japanese culture.

The design is notably inspired by Tokonoma and Sukiya, traditional styles of Japanese architecture, and reflects Cartier’s spirited connection with the country, utilising Japanese industrial scaffolding techniques to stage all the artists on show.

The section of the exhibition displaying “Cartier and Japan, a Tribute to Art and Beauty.”

The exhibition features 120 pieces from the Cartier Collection and private loans, more than 50 items from the Cartier archives, and more than 150 works from contemporary artists, including 50 commissioned paintings and two commissioned wall paintings.

“Cartier and Japan, a Tribute to Art and Beauty” illustrates the brand’s dedication to crafting Japanese-culture-inspired jewellery over the past 150 years. Highlights include a large Portique mystery clock from 1923 and a scroll tiara from 1910.

Large Portique mystery clock from 1923.

Scroll tiara from 1910.

“Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain and Japanese Artists, a Never-Ending Conversation” is a curation of the artworks of Japanese artists with whom Cartier has collaborated with over the years.