Two views of Japan — the 20th century clash with the West, and what led up to it — are on display at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts

Two new exhibitions at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts in Salt Lake City give a fascinating view of Japan, from two vantage points.

“Seven Masters: 20th-Century Woodblock Prints,” a touring exhibition organized by the Minneapolis Institute of Art, showcases prints made by seven Japanese artists working in the early part of the 20th century. The works highlight the collision of cultures as Japan was opening to European influences, and sometimes reacting by retreating into nostalgia for the “old” Japan.

“Beyond the Divide: Merchant, Artist, Samurai in Edo Japan” features works from UMFA’s in-house collection, and sets the table for the “Seven Masters” exhibition. The UMFA items represent Japanese art and artifacts from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries — notably, the large room dividers that evolved from functional parts of the typical Japanese household to decorative artworks.

“Seven Masters” runs at UMFA through April 26; “Beyond the Divide” is up through July 5. Read more about both exhibitions in my article, posted on sltrib.com.