Crafts from Japan and China have long been viewed as objects of admiration in the West. And in the fields of ceramic and glass work in particular, Western artists have continually experimented with materials, forms, and ornamentation based on Japanese and Chinese models. In the late 19th century, Japanese art works and crafts began to arrive in Europe, creating a craze for all things Japanese, and subsequently exerting an influence on Western crafts and design. The reopening of Japan in 1854, following a lengthy period of national isolation, spurred trade with the West, including the export of countless works of art and crafts intended to meet the demands of enthusiasts in Europe and America. This admiration for Japanese culture, and for Japan itself, led to the rise of the Japonism fad among Western artists and designers. This in turn exerted a significant influence on Art Nouveau, a style that was sweeping through Western countries in the late 19th century. And as with many other craft museums in Europe, since its opening in 1872, the Budapest Museum of Applied Arts has actively collected Japanese crafts, such as lacquer ware and ceramics, along with Japonism- style works. This exhibition examines how Japanese art was interpreted in the West, and how Japanese art and crafts influenced the West through a sampling of works dating from the final years of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century. Based on the themes of Japonism and Art Nouveau, the exhibition presents approximately 200 items from the Budapest Museum of Applied Arts collection. These include exemplary Hungarian works, including those produced by the Zsolnay Factory, and masterpieces by designers such as Émile Gallé and Louis Comfort Tiffany.