Daimyo Palace in the Weltmuseum

The museum’s large collection of Japanese items is largely due to the fascination among the European elite with Japan after the country was finally forced to open to the outside world. Japan decided to project itself as a modern state at the World Fair in Vienna in 1873. Around 6,000 items were selected for display at the fair, including the large scale model of a Daimyo residence on display in the Weltmuseum.