Hands up (or wave your wand) if you're a lover of all things Harry Potter!
Credit: Giphy
Many of us can't get enough of this amazing universe that J.K. Rowling created. It's also why Universal Studios Japan is often a must-visit - home to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, it's where you can see the settings and items from the books and movies in real life! And now you have yet another reason to head to Japan if you're a Potter-fan: the British Library's 'Harry Potter: A History of Magic' exhibition is coming to Tokyo!
The exhibition originally opened in London in 2017 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and tickets were quickly sold out! It showcases an amazing collection of rare books and artefacts on magic and other folklore that is the historical foundation for many elements found in the Harry Potter books. For example, did you know that the study of alchemy (such as what was done by Nicolas Flamel) was a real thing, with manuscripts on it dating back to the 16th century? ?The exhibition even included a 6-meter scroll (called the Ripley Scroll) that describes how to make the Philosopher's Stone.
You'll also see some incredible original drafts and notes made by J.K. Rowling as she was writing the books, as well as beautiful drawings by Jim Kay (which were done for the illustrated versions of the books). See the gargantuan 16th-century Ripley Scroll that explains how to create a Philosopher’s Stone. Gaze at Sirius in the night sky as imagined by medieval astronomers. Encounter hand-coloured pictures of dragons, unicorns and a phoenix rising from the flames.
You'll no doubt also find plenty of fun items to buy at the exhibition, including the Harry Potter: A History of Magic - a book that specially compiled and curated for the original exhibition!
The temporary exhibition ended in the UK in Feb 2018. It later had a temporary display in New York, and now it's making its Asian debut in Japan! The exhibition will head to Kobe first at the (Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art) from 5 September - 8 November 2020, before heading to Tokyo (at the Tokyo Station Gallery) from 21 November 2020 - 7 February 2021. Ticket prices haven't been revealed as of yet, but stay tuned to the exhibition's website to be updated when more details become available! In the meantime, get a peek of the exhibition at this online version on the Google Arts and Culture site that shows some of its key highlights!
Date: 5 Sep - 8 Nov 2020 (Kobe), 21 Nov 2020 - 7 Feb 2021 (Tokyo)
Location:Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art (Kobe); Tokyo Station Gallery (Tokyo)
Admission fee: To be determined (check their website for updates!)