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The years 1880 to 1890 were notable for important work by many artists, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec among them. One of the most fertile periods in modern art history, the late 19th century was an era in which a diverse range of aesthetic sensibilities were cultivated. It was also during this period that the original Mitsubishi Ichigokan was built. The museum concentrates on collecting graphic art and artifacts that were produced during this era, and in the future, plans to present these works to the public in a series of special exhibitions.

The Maurice Joyant Collection

This collection of approximately 250 works of graphic art was originally owned by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901). After his death, the entire collection was entrusted to the gallery owner Maurice Joyant, the artists close friend and greatest advocate. Until recently, it remained in the care of Joyants relatives, who eventually agreed to part with the collection.

There is much anticipation surrounding the showing of the collection at the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum in Tokyos Marunouchi district. Along with major lithographs and posters that serve as the essence of Toulouse-Lautrecs art, the collection includes rarely seen printed works and obscure items that were produced for the artists personal use such as banquet menus. Moreover, nearly all of the works are decorated with the artists monogram, formed out of the initials HTL. The person who applied this scarlet seal was none other than Joyant himself, who as the caretaker of Toulouse-Lautrecs estate contributed greatly to furthering his friends reputation. The presence of this small stamp conveys not only the importance of the collection but also the deep bond that united the two men through this group of works.

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LEstampe Originale and Late 19th Century Color Lithography

LEstampe Originale is a collection of lithographs that was published in a limited edition in Paris between 1893 and 1895. The collection consisted of some 100 works produced with a variety of techniques by young artists who were active in the city during the late 19th century such as Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Pierre Bonnard, Maurice Denis, and Paul Gauguin.

Valued as one of the worlds rarest collections, the noted Swiss collector Samuel Josefowiczs entire holdings are now housed in the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum. This acquisition represents a significant collection of late 19th century French lithographic works that includes the Nabi artist Pierre Bonnards album Quelques aspects de la vie de Paris and Maurice Denis album Amour.

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The John and Miyoko Unno Davey Collection

This collection of spectacular art and artifacts was amassed over half a century by these New York-based collectors who concentrated on the theme of Japonism in daily life. Part of the collection has been entrusted to the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum and includes countless beautiful and practical items that were produced in the U.K. and the U.S. by companies such as Minton, Royal Worcester, Tiffany, and Gorham.