Boro shows some 50 rare articles of clothing and everyday textiles made in Japan between 1850 and 1950. The word boro means ‘patched together’ and here refers to the indigo-dyed patched-together garments of the Japanese rural population. Expensive cotton fabrics were reserved to the upper classes. As worn-out rags, they found their way cheaply into the hands of the peasants, who patched them together to create impressive garments of great aesthetic charm.
In their minimalist beauty, these recycled textiles stand not only for artistic creativity and the positive affirmation of the transitory nature of all existence, but also for respect for the natural material and the work of the hands. The precursors of the boro textiles were the kesa, the garments worn by Buddhist monks, which were also patched together as the outward expression of the Buddhist ideal of poverty. Outstanding monks’ garments from the museum’s own collection have been incorporated into the boro exhibition.
An exhibition of the Domaine de Boisbuchet / C.I.R.E.C.A., France in cooperation with the Museum of East Asian Art, Cologne.
in Kooperation mit
Opening times
Tuesday to Sunday
11am – 5pm
Every first Thursday in the month
11am – 10pm (except Mai 1)
Closed Mondays; open on All Saints' Day
Museum is closed on December 24th, Christmas Day (25 Dec), New Year's Eve (31 Dec) and New Year's Day (1 Jan). Museum is opend on Easter Monday, Whit Monday, German Unity Day and December 26.
The Museum of East Asian Art will not take part in this year’s Cologne Museum Night.
On Saturday, 7 November, the museum will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
We look forward to your visit.
Admission prices
€ 9.50 / € 5.50
The Museum of East Asian Art is currently using additional climate-control equipment, which is causing some noise in the exhibition rooms. As a result, admission is temporarily reduced to 7.50 euros (3.50 euros).
KölnTag on the first Thursday of the month (except public holidays): free admission to the Museum for all Cologne residents.
How to get here
Public transport: Tram routes 1 and 7 and bus route 142, alight at ‘Universitätsstrasse’
There is a car park at the museum
Barrier-free
The museum is barrier-free. Disabled toilet available. *The foyer is currently accessible with assistance from staff (+49 221-221-28608).
more
Termine
Führung:
Expertenführung zur Chinesischen Lackkunst
Fr, 13.11.2026, 15:00 Uhr
Workshop:
Ikebana – Die japanische Kunst des Blumensteckens
Sa, 14.11.2026, 13:00 Uhr
Führung:
Buddhismus in Ostasien: Vorstellungen und Praktiken
So, 15.11.2026, 12:00 Uhr
Vortrag:
Zum Mondjahr des Pferdes. Ein Galopp durch Zeit und Raum
Do, 19.11.2026, 18:00 Uhr
Führung:
艺术的宗教生命：佛教中的仪式和敬仰 (Führung in chinesischer Sprache)
Sa, 21.11.2026, 14:00 Uhr
Kalender
Museum für
Ostasiatische Kunst Köln
Universitätsstrasse 100
D 50674 Köln
Ticket office +49.221.221-28617
mok@stadt-koeln.de
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