Japanese Gallery (Honkan)

The original Japanese Gallery (designed by the British architect Josiah Conder) was severely damaged in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. In contrast to western style of the original structure, the design of the present Honkan by Watanabe Jin is the more eastern "Emperor's Crown Style." Construction began in 1932, and the building was opened in 1938. 24 exhibition rooms on two floors provide a thorough introduction into Japanese art: "Highlights of Japanese Art" on the second floor introduces the development of Japanese art from Jomon through to the Edo period in a chronological manner, and genre galleries presenting specific rooms displaying ceramics, swords, lacquerwares, sculptures, modern decorative arts as well as the material culture of Ainu and Ryukyu are located on the first floor.

Highlights of Japanese Art(PDF)

From December 1, 2025 to April 7, 2026, Room 7–10 of the Japanese Gallery (Honkan) will be closed due to maintenance work.

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"

Ancient Art | Ca. 11,000 BC–7th century AD

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 1

January 1, 2026 (Thu) -
April 5, 2026 (Sun)
The Arrival of Buddhism | 6th–8th century

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 1

January 1, 2026 (Thu) -
March 15, 2026 (Sun)
National Treasure Gallery: The Tenth of the Sixteen Arhats

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 2

January 14, 2026 (Wed) -
February 15, 2026 (Sun)
The Arts of Buddhism | 8th–16th century

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 3

January 1, 2026 (Thu) -
February 15, 2026 (Sun)
The Arts of the Imperial Court | 8th–16th century

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 3

January 1, 2026 (Thu) -
February 15, 2026 (Sun)
Zen and Ink Painting | 13th–16th century

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 3

January 1, 2026 (Thu) -
February 15, 2026 (Sun)
Tea Ceremony

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 4

February 3, 2026 (Tue) -
April 19, 2026 (Sun)
Arms and Armor of the Samurai | 12th–19th century

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Rooms 5 & 6

February 3, 2026 (Tue) -
April 12, 2026 (Sun)

Tomb Sculpture (Haniwa): Dancing Person
Found at the Nohara Tumulus, Saitama, Kofun period, 6th century

Ancient Art | Ca. 11,000 BC–7th century AD

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 1

January 1, 2026 (Thu) - April 5, 2026 (Sun)

Japan has some of the earliest pottery in the world, dating back about 13,000 years. It was created by the people of the Jōmon period (ca. 11,000–400 BC). These people built permanent settlements and relied on hunting, fishing, and gathering.

At the height of their culture, they made pottery with richly sculpted forms and figurines with distinctive shapes.

In the Yayoi period (ca. 4th century BC–first half of 3rd century AD), people from Northeast Asia (now China and Korea) immigrated to Japan. They brought knowledge of how to farm rice and make objects with bronze and iron. More food became available and people started making tools, weapons, and ritual objects with metal.

In the Kofun period (ca. second half of 3rd–7th century), regional rulers seized power and resources. They formed an early state and the imperial line became its central authority. These rulers had giant tomb mounds built for themselves, with clay sculptures placed outside and valuable objects buried inside to express the rulers’ authority even after death.

Japanese Gallery (Honkan)

From December 1, 2025 to April 7, 2026, Room 7–10 of the Japanese Gallery (Honkan) will be closed due to maintenance work.

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"

Ancient Art | Ca. 11,000 BC–7th century AD

The Arrival of Buddhism | 6th–8th century

National Treasure Gallery: The Tenth of the Sixteen Arhats

The Arts of Buddhism | 8th–16th century

The Arts of the Imperial Court | 8th–16th century

Zen and Ink Painting | 13th–16th century

Tea Ceremony

Arms and Armor of the Samurai | 12th–19th century

2nd floor

The Japanese Emperor's Palanquins

Netsuke: The Prince Takamado Collection

2nd floor

Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Normalization of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea Treasure Trove of Korean Art: A Collaborative Exhibition with the National Museum of Korea

1st floor

The Door to Japanese Art

Japanese Culture Plaza

Education Space

1st floor: Genre Exhibits

Sculpture

Lacquerware

Metalwork

Swords

Ceramics

In Celebration of the Japanese Doll Festival

Historical Records

The Ainu and Northern Peoples

Conservation and Restoration

Art of the Modern Era | Late 19th–first half of 20th century

Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Normalization of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea
Treasure Trove of Korean Art: A Collaborative Exhibition with the National Museum of Korea