Among the many delights of Zensai are a number of pieces on loan from the distinguished collection of Cleveland’s own Mitzie Verne, a passionate art collector and advocate of Japanese culture. Verne’s fascinating experiences with Japanese culture are numerous, including the fact that she at one time lived next door to Emperor Hirohito’s summer palace.

The Verne Collection has been drawing Japanophiles to the Little Italy neighborhood of Cleveland for decades. One glimpse at this stunning collection reveals why pieces from the Verne Collection have been featured in shows throughout the nation.

From that renowned collection, Zensai will feature a selection of Keisuke Serizawa prints. Selected as a National Art Treasure by the Japanese government, his work has been exhibited at some of the world’s most renowned art museums, including the Louvre, the Chicago Art Institute and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Serizawa’s iconic status is reflected by the fact that there are museums in Japan dedicated solely to his work.

Discover these and other treasures of the Verne Collection during Zensai: The Horticulture of Japan.