Yokainoshima, spirits of Japan

In Japan, divinities and supernatural beings are omnipresent.

From the 7^th of July 2018 to the 25^th of August 2019, the Musée des Confluences explores the relationships between the Heavens and the Earth through ritual costumes.

Archives | Last updated date : 08/07/2020

The 700 m² immersive exhibition space offers a chance to discover the traditions and customs of the Land of the Rising Sun.
Yokainoshima, which could be translated as ‘the island of monsters’ or the ‘island of spirits’, is a series of photographs taken by Charles Fréger between 2013 and 2015.

Known for his serial portraits of various communities in different parts of the world, he is fascinated by the immutable. Here, Charles Fréger photographs people who bring to life ritual costumes inherited from Japan’s rural world. While his series is not strictly speaking ethnographic, it highlights the role of the mask and costume in Japan’s traditions and ceremonies.

With sleek visuals and illuminating explanations, the exhibition successfully brings together a contemporary vision of ritual clothing and artefacts from the museum’s Japanese collections. 80 photographs resonate with the objects exhibited. From photographs to masks, discover the relationship between Japanese spirituality and contemporary culture, including cosplay, manga and video games.

Admission to the museum and its exhibitions is included in the Lyon City Card.