Chinese Buddhist Sculpture
1st floor Room 1
April 11, 2017 (Tue) -
April 8, 2018 (Sun)
May 20, 2017 (Sat), Asian Gallery (Toyokan)
The galleries feature art and artifacts from regions including China, Korea, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, India, and Egypt.
1st floor
Standing Mahasthamaprapta, Sui dynasty, 6th century (Important Cultural Property)
Chinese Buddhist Sculpture
1st floor Room 1
April 11, 2017 (Tue) - April 8, 2018 (Sun)
This section mainly features stone or gilt bronze Buddhist statues from about the 6th to the 8th century. The statues on display present the exquisite form of sculptures from the golden era of Buddhist statues in China.
Current exhibit includes:
Standing Mahasthamaprapta, Sui dynasty, 6th century (Important Cultural Property)
Seated Bodhisattva with One Leg Pendent and Four Attendants, Northern Qi dynasty, 6th century
Head of Bodhisattva, Tang dynasty, 8th century, Gif of the Kumazawa Masayuki
Standing Buddha Triad, Eastern Wei dynasty, 6th century (Important Cultural Property)
Ekadasamukha in a Niche, Tang dynasty, 8th century (Important Cultural Property, Gift of Mr. Hosokawa Moritatsu)
2nd floor
Large Dry Lacquer Vessel, Attributed provenance: Hui County, Henan Province, China, Warring States period, 5th–3rd century BC (Important Art Object, Lent by the OKURA MUSEUM OF ART, Tokyo)
Large Dry Lacquer Vessel
2nd floor Room 2
April 11, 2017 (Tue) - April 8, 2018 (Sun)
Large Dry Lacquer Vessel, Attributed provenance: Hui County, Henan Province, China, Warring States period, 5th-3rd century BC (Important Art Object, Lent by the OKURA MUSEUM OF ART, Tokyo)
Mummy of Pasherienptah (detail), Excavated at Thebes, Egypt, 22nd dynasty, ca. 945-730 BC (Gift of Egyptian Department of Antiquities)
Artifacts from West Asia and Egypt
2nd floor Room 3
April 11, 2017 (Tue) - July 17, 2017 (Mon)
This part intrduces artifacts from West Asia and Egypt, known as the cradle of the earliest civilization.
Current exhibit includes:
Black-topped Jar, Excavated in Egypt, Predynastic period, 4th millennium BC (Gift of Mr. B. Dean)
Copper Foundation Peg with a God's Figurine, Excavated in southern Iraq, Sumerian Early Dynastic period, 25th-24th century BC
Necklace Fragments, Excavated at Mycenae, Greece, 14th century BC (Private collection)
Alabastron, Alexandria, Egypt or Italy, 1st century B.C. - 1st century A.D. (Private collection)
Mummy of Pasherienptah, Excavated at Thebes, Egypt, 22nd dynasty, ca. 945-730 BC (Gift of Egyptian Department of Antiquities)
Heracles, Excavated at Hatra, Iraq, Parthian period, 1st-2nd century (Gift of Iraqi Government)
Seated Bodhisattva, Pala dynasty, 9th-10th century
Sculptures from India and Gandhara
2nd floor Room 3
January 2, 2017 (Mon) - June 25, 2017 (Sun)
This part mainly features Buddhist statues from Gandhara (northwestern Pakistan) and Mathura (northern, central India) from the 2nd to the 5th century. The wide variety of sculptures on display is a notable feature.
Current exhibit includes:
Seated Buddha, Kushan dynasty, 2nd - 3rd century
Worshipping of the Bowl and Cross-legged Bodhisattvas, 3rd - 4th century (Gift of Ms. Yano Tsuruko)
Preaching Buddha, Kushan dynasty, 3rd century
Seated Bodhisattva, Pala dynasty, 9th - 10th century
Head of Bodhisattva, Otani collection, 7th–8th century
Art of the Western Regions
2nd floor Room 3
April 18, 2017 (Tue) - May 28, 2017 (Sun)
This part introduces art of the Western Regions (Central Asia) from about the 1st to the 10th century, with a focus on Buddhist art. The highlight of this part is the rich variety of works with high artistic and historical significance.
Current exhibit includes:
Head of Bodhisattva, Otani collection, 7th–8th century
3rd floor
Roof Tile, Taotie design, Warring States period (Yan state), 5th–4th century BC
The Advent of Chinese Civilization
3rd floor Room 4
May 9, 2017 (Tue) - September 10, 2017 (Sun)
This section focuses on pottery and jade objects from about 3000 BC to AD 200. The items on display present the beauty that ancient Chinese people pursued in the form and color of pottery, as well as the characteristic luster of jade.
Current exhibit includes:
Oracle Bones, Excavated at Yinxu, Anyang, Henan province, China, Shang dynasty, 13th–11th century BC
Jade Axe, Neolithic period, 3rd millennium BC
Roof Tile, Taotie design, Warring States period (Yan state), 5th–4th century BC
Wine Warmer, Mount Bo design, Western Han-Eastern Han dynasty, 1st century BC–1st century AD
Chinese Bronzes
3rd floor Room 5
May 16, 2017 (Tue) - September 3, 2017 (Sun)
This part focuses on Chinese bronzes from about 1800 BC to AD 1000. The changing shapes and designs of the bronzes on display provide clues to the thoughts and shifting religious beliefs of ancient Chinese people.
Current exhibit includes:
Wine Warmer, Mount Bo design, Western Han-Eastern Han dynasty, 1st century BC–1st century AD
Ding Cooking Vessel, Coiling Snakes design, Attributed provenance: Shouzhou, Anhui province, China, Warring States period, 3rd century BC (Gift of Ms. Sakamoto Kiku)
Zun Jar, Taotie design and three Animal Heads, Shang dynasty, 13th–11th century BC (Gift of Ms. Sakamoto Kiku)
Chunyu, Percussion Instrument, Attributed provenance: Sichuan Province, China, Warring States period, 5th–3rd century BC (Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Ox Cart and Two Attendants, Three-color glaze (detail), Tang dynasty, 7th century (Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Burials in China
3rd floor Room 5
May 9, 2017 (Tue) - September 3, 2017 (Sun)
This part introduces burial items of tombs from about the 2nd century BC to the 8th century AD. Mingqi are models of various implements and equipment, such as cooking stoves, vehicles including carriages and oxcarts, and even toilets. Tomb figures are models of humans who served a master, such as servants and entertainers. The objects on display present the idealized lifestyle that people of this time entrusted to mingqi and tomb figures.
Current exhibit includes:
Bear-shaped Lamp, Eastern Han dynasty, 1st–3rd century (Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Dish, Celadon glaze with lotus petal design, Southern dynasties, 5th–6th century (Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Ox Cart and Two Attendants, Three-color glaze, Tang dynasty, 7th century (Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Six-foliate Tray, Three-color glaze with applied ornament, Tang dynasty, 7th–8th century (Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Bowl, Black glaze with "oil spots", Jin dynasty, 12th–13th century (Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Chinese Ceramics
3rd floor Room 5
May 9, 2017 (Tue) - September 3, 2017 (Sun)
This part presents the changing expressions of Chinese ceramics from the 7th to the 19th century.
Current exhibit includes:
Ewer with Phoenix Head, White porcelain, Tang dynasty, 7th century (Important Cultural Property, Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Dish, Celadon glaze, Ru ware, ChinaFormerly owned by Kawabata Yasunari, Northern Song dynasty, 11th–12th century (Gift of Mr. Katori Kuniomi and Mrs. Katori Yoshiko)
Bowl with Foliate Rim, Celadon glaze, Guan ware, China, Southern Song dynasty, 12th–13th century (Important Cultural Property, Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Vase, Beishoku celadon glaze, Guan ware, China, Southern Song dynasty, 12th–13th century (Lent by the Tokiwayama Bunko Foundation)
Pot, Fish and water plant design in underglaze blue, Jingdezhen ware, China, Yuan dynasty, 14th century (Important Cultural Property, Gift of Mr. Tanaka Yoshio)
Bowl, Figure design in underglaze blue, Jingdezhen ware, China, Ming dynasty, 14th–15th century (Lent by the OKURA MUSEUM OF ART, Tokyo)
Dish, Plum tree design in famille rose enamel, Jingdezhen ware, China, Qing dynasty, Yongzheng era (Important Cultural Property, Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Bowl, Spot design in glaze with tortoiseshell pattern, Jizhou ware, China, Southern Song dynasty, 12th–13th century (Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Damask, Known as "Enshu donsu"; flagstone design on light blue ground (detail), Formerly preserved by the Maeda family, Ming dynasty, 16th–17th century
Chinese Textiles: Prized Textile Fragments of the Maeda Clan in Kaga
3rd floor Room 5
April 11, 2017 (Tue) - July 2, 2017 (Sun)
The Tokyo National Museum has a collection of about 80 textile fragments that were formerly owned by the prosperous Maeda clan, feudal lords of Kaga domain (now Ishikawa prefecture). These fragments were in fact luxury textiles imported to Japan from China. They were used by Japanese practitioners of the tea ceremony to make pouches for tea caddies (containers for holding powdered green tea) and to decorate the mountings of scrolls that were hung up in tea rooms. They were also highly prized by these practitioners because the techniques with which they were woven could not be replicated in Japan. The Maeda clan spent vast sums of its wealth accumulating these fragments, which are now on display so that visitors may experience the essence of Chinese textiles that were so highly prized in Japan.
Current exhibit includes:
Gold Brocade, Known as "Kohfukuji kinran"; phoenix design on purple ground, Formerly preserved by the Maeda clan, Yuan dynasty, 14th century
Gold Brocade, Known as "Daito kinran"; lingzhi mushroom design on reddish orange ground, Formerly preserved by the Maeda clan, Yuan dynasty, 14th century
Gauze with Gold Thread, Large peony arabesque design on pale red ground, Formerly owned by the Maeda Clan, Ming dynasty, 16th–17th century
Damask, Known as "Sasazuru donsu"; floral arabesque design on light green ground, Formerly preserved by the Maeda clan, Ming dynasty, 15th–16th century
Damask, Known as "Enshu donsu"; flagstone design on light blue ground, Formerly preserved by the Maeda family, Ming dynasty, 16th–17th century
Damask, Known as "banreki damask"; blossoming branch and bird design, Ming dynasty, 16th–17th century
Kanto Striped Textile, Known as "Mochizuki kanto"; stripe design on red ground, Formerly preserved by the Maeda clan, Ming dynasty, 15th–16th century
Kanto Striped Textile, Known as "Hino kanto"; wavy stripe design, Formerly preserved by the Maeda clan, Ming dynasty, 16th–17th century
4th floor
Stone Bas-relief, Procession of chariots / Building for ancestral rituals, From Xiaotangshan, Shandong province, China, Eastern Han dynasty, 1st–2nd century
Stone Relief Carvings of China
4th floor Room 7
April 11, 2017 (Tue) - April 8, 2018 (Sun)
In the 2nd century BC, Chinese tombs were not simply holes in the ground. They developed to have walls and ceilings, with a structure almost like underground mansions. Tombs also appeared that had shrines built above ground for the bereaved families to perform rituals. Particularly in Shandong province and southern Henan province, sturdy stone was favored for making the tombs and shrines, with the stone surfaces used for carving images. Many of these stone bas-reliefs were created until the second half of the 2nd century in the Eastern Han dynasty.
Current exhibit includes:
Stone Bas-relief, Procession of chariots / Building for ancestral rituals, From Xiaotangshan, Shandong province, China, Eastern Han dynasty, 1st–2nd century
Stone Bas-relief, Toad / Emperor Yu, etc., From Xiaotangshan, Shandong province, China, Eastern Han dynasty, 1st–2nd century
Stone Bas-relief, Building / Tinglan and the wooden doll, etc., From Xiaotangshan, Shandong province, China, Eastern Han dynasty, 1st–2nd century
Plum Trees and Crane (detail), By Song Baochun, Qing dynasty, dated 1793 (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
Chinese Painting: Beauties and Plum: Featuring Works of Late Qing
4th floor Room 8
May 16, 2017 (Tue) - June 18, 2017 (Sun)
In China, images of beautiful women and plum trees overlap with one another. The flower petals, together with the elegant branches, were poetically described as, “skin of ice and bones of jade,” which were also words of praise for women. In a tale of the plum fairy at Mount Luofu, a man spends a night with a beautiful woman, only to find in the morning that she was just a plum tree. Legends also note the Northern Song-dynasty literatus Lin Hejing, who adored plum blossoms so much that the plum came to be reputed as his wife, along with the crane as his child. This exhibition features the aesthetics represented by beauties and plum trees, from the turbulent times of the late 19th century, when the Qing dynasty declined and the Republic period began.
Current exhibit includes:
Plum Trees and Crane, By Song Baochun, Qing dynasty, dated 1793 (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
Lady under Plum Blossom, By Tang Luming, Qing dynasty, dated 1843 (Private collection)
Dreaming under Plum Blossom, By Yu Ming, Republic period, 20th century (Private collection)
Figures and Landscape, By Huang Shen, Qing dynasty, dated 1727(Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
Yanta Pagoda Steles, By Chu Suiliang, Steles: Tang dynasty, dated 653 (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
Chinese Calligraphy: Calligraphy of the Sui and Tang Dynasties: The World of Rubbings
4th floor Room 8
April 25, 2017 (Tue) - June 25, 2017 (Sun)
The elegance of the Southern dynasties and the strictness of the Northern dynasties integrated into a balanced regular script of the Sui dynasty. While inheriting this tradition, Tang-dynasty calligraphy developed dramatically by incorporating innovative styles. Early Tang-dynasty calligraphers such as Yu Shinan, Ouyang Xun, and Chu Suiliang completed styles of organized and bold regular script, and Yan Zhenqing created a vigorous style with a unique touch. This exhibition overviews the integration of styles of the Southern and Northern dynasties, as well as works by the so-called Four Great Calligraphers of Tang.
Current exhibit includes:
Stele, Jiu Cheng Gong Li Quan, By Ouyang Xun, Stele dated Tang dynasty, dated 632 (Private collection)
Yanta Pagoda Steles, By Chu Suiliang, Steles: Tang dynasty, dated 653 (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
Stele of Pagoda at Qianfusi Temple, By Yan Zhenqing, Tang dynasty, dated 752 (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
Epitaph for Lady Dong, Sui dynasty, dated 597
Epitaph for Lord Longshan, Sui dynasty, dated 600
Brush Pot, Eighteen arhats design, Qing dynasty, 18th century (Gift of Mr. Hirota Matsushige)
Chinese Literati
4th floor Room 8
April 25, 2017 (Tue) - June 25, 2017 (Sun)
The literati were people who devoted themselves to reading, calligraphy, painting, and other fine arts. In China, their way of life was traditionally held as an ideal. This exhibit recreates the studies of literati, where calligraphy and painting of China were born.
Current exhibit includes:
Inkstone, Formerly owned by Mr. Aoyama San'u, Qing dynasty, 17th–19th century (Gift of Ms. Aoyama Toku)
Brush Pot, Eighteen arhats design, Qing dynasty, 18th century (Gift of Mr. Hirota Matsushige)
Characters for Plaque in Running Script, By He Shaoji, Qing dynasty, dated 1870 (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
5th floor
Covered Box, Pavilion and figure design in carved red lacquer, Ming dynasty, Yongle era (Gift of Mr. Li Keitaku)
Chinese Lacquerware
5th floor Room 9
April 18, 2017 (Tue) - July 23, 2017 (Sun)
This part introduces the various methods and designs in Chinese lacquerware. Lacquerware is a form of decorative art made by applying lacquer sap on vessels and utensils, a practice which developed widely in China, Japan, Korea, and the Southeast Asian regions, in techniques and designs unique to each area. China, in particular, has a history of lacquerware of as long as 7000 years.
Current exhibit includes:
Lacquered Boxes, Western Han dynasty, 2nd–1st century BC
Tray, Pavilion and figure design in carved black lacquer, Southern Song dynasty, 12th–13th century (On exhibit through May 7, 2017; On exhibit from June 6, 2017)
Lidded Box in Shape of Peach, Landscape and figure design in carved red lacquer, Qing dynasty, Qianlong era (1736–95)
Buddhist Scepter, Design of auspicious character and eight treasures, Qing dynasty, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Kamiya Denbei)
Decorative Art of the Qing Dynasty
5th floor Room 9
April 11, 2017 (Tue) - July 23, 2017 (Sun)
This part introduces the decorative art of the Qing dynasty (1644 - 1912) in China, such as works of jade, cloisonne, glass, and bamboo. The items on display feature the beauty of fine technical skill and the sophisticated atmosphere of Qing-dynasty decorative art.
Current exhibit includes:
Buddhist Scepter, Design of auspicious character and eight treasures, Qing dynasty, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Kamiya Denbei)
Pomegranate, Qing dynasty, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Kamiya Denbei)
Paperweight, Monkey on horse design (meaning promotion will come soon), Qing dynasty, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Kamiya Denbei)
Bronze Halberd, Attributed provenance: Ipsil-ri, Gyeongju, Korea, Proto-Three Kingdoms period, 1st century BC (Important Art Object, Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Polished Stone Tools and Metal Tools of Korea
5th floor Room 10
April 25, 2017 (Tue) - October 15, 2017 (Sun)
This part highlights Korean polished stone tools and metal objects that had a great influence on Japan's Yayoi culture.
Current exhibit includes:
Crown, Attributed provenance: Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea, Three Kingdoms period (Gaya), 5th-6th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Polished Stone Sickle, Excavated at Buyeo, Korea, Bronze Age, 10th–4th century BC (Gift of Mr. Sakenobu Kyokusho)
Bronze Dagger, Excavated at Ochon-ri, Pyongyang, Korea Early Iron Age, 2nd century BC
Bronze Halberd, Attributed provenance: Ipsil-ri, Gyeongju, Korea, Proto-Three Kingdoms period, 1st century BC (Important Art Object, Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Brick, With design of rabbit preparing medicine, Nangnang (Lelang), 2nd–3rd century
Bronze Ornamental Fitting With animals, Attributed provenance: Gyeongju, Korea, Early Iron Age-Proto Three Kingdoms period, 3rd–1st century BC (Important Art Object, Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Incense Burner, Green glaze, Attributed provenance: Nangnang (Lelang) tomb, Korea, Nangnang (Lelang), 1st–3rd century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Stone coffin for Jang Chungui, Goryeo dynasty, 12th century
Sword with Ring-shaped Pommel, With inscription (detail), Three Kingdoms period, 5th century
The Rises and Falls of Kings in Korea
5th floor Room 10
April 25, 2017 (Tue) - October 15, 2017 (Sun)
This part features the prosperity of kings in the Three Kingdoms period (4th century - 676) in Korea, through works including items of metalwork. The diverse designs of the objects are evidence of the prosperity of the kings.
Current exhibit includes:
Sword with Ring-shaped Pommel, With inscription, Three Kingdoms period, 5th century
Earring, Three Kingdoms period (Silla), 6th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Headgear, With design in openwork, Attributed provenance: Changnyeong, Korea, Three Kingdoms period, 6th century (Important Cultural Property, Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Visored Helmet, Attributed provenance: Yeonsan-dong, Dongnae, Korea, Three Kingdoms period, 5th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Stand for Horn-shaped Cups, Three Kingdoms period (Silla), 5th-6th century (Important Art Object, Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Korean Ceramics
5th floor Room 10
April 25, 2017 (Tue) - October 15, 2017 (Sun)
This part introduces Korean ceramics from the Proto-Three Kingdoms period (1st century BC - 3rd century AD) to the Joseon dynasty(1392-1910).
Current exhibit includes:
Horn-shaped Cup, Three Kingdoms period (Silla), 5th–6th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Stand for Horn-shaped Cups, Three Kingdoms period (Silla), 5th-6th century (Important Art Object, Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Vase, Celadon glaze with plum tree, bamboo, reed, willow, and waterfowl design in inlay, Goryeo dynasty, 12th–13th century
Vase, Buncheong ware with fish design in underglaze iron, Attributed provenance: Hakbong-ri, Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea, Joseon dynasty, 15th–16th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Bowl, White porcelain, Goryeo dynasty, 11th century (Gift of Mr. Kudo Yoshiro)
Dish, White porcelain, Joseon dynasty, 15th–16th century (Private collection)
Jar, Cloud and dragon design in underglaze iron pigment, Joseon dynasty, 17th century (Gift of Ms. Shimizu Nobuko)
Jar, Crane and tortoise design in underglaze blue, Joseon dynasty, 19th century (Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Equestrian Figurine, Three Kingdoms period (Silla), 5th-6th century (Important Art Object, Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Horse-shaped Vessel, Attributed provenance: Changnyeong, Korea Three Kingdoms period (Silla), 5th century (Important Art Object, Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Bowl with Brush Marks Mujihakeme type; known as "Fuito", Joseon dynasty, 16th century (Gift of Mr. Tsukagoshi Masaaki)
Tea Bowl, Goki type, Joseon dynasty, 16th–17th century (Gift of Mr. Momose Osamu and Mrs. Momose Fumiko)
Ridge-end Tile, Demon face design, Excavated at former site of Sacheonwangsa temple, Gyeongju, Korea, Unified Silla dynasty, 7th-8th century
Buddhist Art of Korea
5th floor Room 10
May 16, 2017 (Tue) - November 5, 2017 (Sun)
This part features the essence of Korean Buddhist art.
Current exhibit includes:
Round Eave Tile, Spoke and lotus flower design, Probably excavated from Pyeongyang, Korea, Three Kingdoms period (Goguryeo), 4th–5th century
Round Eave Tile, Lotus flower design, Excavated at former site of Gunsu-ri temple, Buyeo, Korea, Three Kingdoms period (Baekje), 6th century
Ridge-end Tile, Demon face design, Excavated at former site of Sacheonwangsa temple, Gyeongju, Korea, Unified Silla dynasty, 7th–8th century
Ridge-end Tile, Demon face design; with green glaze, Excavated from Wolsong, Gyeongju, Korea, Unified Silla dynasty, 7th–8th century
Standing Vairocana, Unified Silla–Goryeo dynasty, 9th–10th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Seated Bodhisattva with One Leg Pendent, Three Kingdoms period, 7th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Buddhist Temple Bell, With inscription of year, Goryeo dynasty, dated 1107 (Important Cultural Property, Lent by Nishiaraidaishi Sojiji, Tokyo)
Dining Tray, Openwork designs in base, Joseon dynasty, second half of 19th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Art of the Joseon Dynasty
5th floor Room 10
April 11, 2017 (Tue) - July 2, 2017 (Sun)
This part features furnishings, costumes, and accessories from Korea in the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910). While the costumes, furniture, tableware, and stationery each possessed individual beauty, their appeal was enhanced by their placement in living spaces.
Current exhibit includes:
Bandaji (Front-opening chest), Joseon dynasty, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Hanabusa Yoshimoto)
Dining Table, Joseon dynasty, 18th–19th century
Dining Tray, Openwork designs in base, Joseon dynasty, second half of 19th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Inkstone, Figures design in underglaze blue, Joseon dynasty, 19th century
Brush Stand, Lotus arabesque in openwork with designs in underglaze blue and red, 19th–20th century
Basement
Lintel (detail), Angkor period, 10th century (Acquired through exchange with l'École française d'Extrême-Orient)
Khmer Sculpture
Basement Room 11
May 9, 2017 (Tue) - May 6, 2018 (Sun)
This section introduces sculptures from Khmer, with a focus on stone statues from the Angkor period (9th-13th century). The Tokyo National Museum collection of Khmer sculptures, which are distinguished in both quality and quantity, was acquired in 1944 through an exchange project with the research institute l'École francaise d'Extrême-Orient.
Current exhibit includes:
Garuda Riding on Naga (Snake deity), Angkor period, 12th–13th century (Acquired through exchange with l'École française d'Extrême-Orient)
Standing Vishnu, Angkor period, 12th century (Acquired through exchange with l'École française d'Extrême-Orient)
Buddha Seated on Naga (Snake deity), Angkor period, 12th century (Acquired through exchange with l'École française d'Extrême-Orient)
Standing Lokesvara, Angkor period, 12th–13th century (Acquired through exchange with l'École française d'Extrême-Orient)
Lintel, Angkor period, 10th century (Acquired through exchange with l'École française d'Extrême-Orient)
Shiva (Upper body), Excavated from Damdek, Cambodia, Angkor period, 9th century (Acquired through exchange with l'École française d'Extrême-Orient)
Gilt Bronze Statues from Southeast Asia
Basement Room 12
May 9, 2017 (Tue) - September 3, 2017 (Sun)
This part focuses on Southeast Asian gilt bronze statues of gods and Buddhist deities from the 7th to 13th century. The statues are made using the lost-wax casting process, and therefore they have common qualities in their plasticity and smoothness of form.
Current exhibit includes:
Buddha Seated on a Pedestal, Central Java period, ca. 8th century
Seated Mahavairocana, Central Java period, 9th–10th century
Standing Deity Hanuman, Angkor period, 11th century
Finial for a Shaft in the Shape of Naga, Angkor period, 12th century (Acquired through exchange with l'École française d'Extrême-Orient)
Shiva (Upper body), Excavated from Damdek, Cambodia, Angkor period, 9th century (Acquired through exchange with l'École française d'Extrême-Orient)
Human-shaped Object, Attributed provenance: Uttar Pradesh, India, Copper Hoard culture, ca. 1500 BC
Archaeology of India and Southeast Asia
Basement Room 12
April 11, 2017 (Tue) - April 8, 2018 (Sun)
The excavated pottery and metal wares exhibited in this part clearly show the prosperity of cultures with rich regional characteristics in ancient India and Southeast Asia.
Current exhibit includes:
Human-shaped Object, Attributed provenance: Uttar Pradesh, India, Copper Hoard culture, ca. 1500 BC
Ladle with Bird Ornament, Excavated in northeastern Thailand, ca. 3rd century BC–2nd century AD
Vessel in Shape of Bucket, Excavated in Vietnam or Southern China, Nanyue dynasty, 2nd century BC
Bronze Drum, Attributed provenance: northern Thailand, 6th–5th century BC (Lent by Idemitsu Museum of Arts)
Bronze Drum, Northern Thailand, 15th–17th century (Gift of Prince Damrong, Thailand)
Large Dish, Deer and landscape design in underglaze blue, 15th–16th century (Important Art Object)
Southeast Asian Ceramics
Basement Room 12
May 9, 2017 (Tue) - May 6, 2018 (Sun)
This part introduces the individual styles of ceramics made in Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam from the 9th to the 16th century.
Current exhibit includes:
Fragment of Roof Tile, Ash glaze, Excavated from Wat Atvea, Angkor period, 11th–13th century (Acquired through exchange with l'École française d'Extrême-Orient)
Vase, Dark brown glaze with incised design, Excavated at Angkor, Angkor period, 12th–13th century (Acquired through exchange with l'École française d'Extrême-Orient)
Elephant-shaped Vessel, Dark brown glaze, Angkor period, 12th–13th century
Shallow Bowl, Celadon glaze, Northern Thailand, 15th century (Gift of Mr. Yoshioka Ken)
Shallow Bowl with Pointed Foliate Rim, Celadon glaze with lotus flower design, Si Satchanalai ware, Thailand, 15th century (Gift of Mr. Yamada Yoshio)
Bowl, Celadon glaze with fish and flowering plant design in underglaze iron pigment, Si Satchanalai ware, Thailand, 15th–16th century (Gift of Mr. Yamada Yoshio)
Bowl, Arabesque design in overglaze enamel, 16th century (Important Art Object)
Water Ewer in Shape of a Kundika, Arabesque design in underglaze blue, 15th–16th century (Private collection)
Large Dish, Deer and landscape design in underglaze blue, 15th–16th century (Important Art Object)
Large Dish Water buffalo design in overglaze enamel, 16th century
Gold Chintz, Floral arabesque design on white ground (detail), Formerly passed down by the Maeda clan, Second half of 17th century
Asian Textiles: Indian Textile
Basement Room 13
April 11, 2017 (Tue) - July 2, 2017 (Sun)
Current exhibit includes:
Chintz, Tree and flower design on white ground, 17th–18th century
Fragments of Chintz Known as "Hikone chintz"; introduced to Japan before early 18th century, Formerly passed down by the Ii clan, 6th–18th century
Chintz Drape for Tent, Tree and flower design on white ground, Start of 17th century
Gold Chintz, Floral arabesque design on white ground, Formerly passed down by the Maeda clan, Second half of 17th century
Mughal Emperor Akbar (detail), By Provincial Mughal school, India, 18th century
Indian Miniature Paintings
Basement Room 13
May 16, 2017 (Tue) - June 11, 2017 (Sun)
Indian miniature paintings established a uniquely meticulous, colorful, and passionate style, with various painting schools. An appeal of the paintings to viewers is the abundance of elements vividly contained inside each picture, such as myths, music, and nature.
Current exhibit includes:
Mughal Emperor Akbar, By Provincial Mughal school, India, 18th century
Portrait of Emperor Jahangir, By Bikaner school, Second half of 18th century
Model of Ship, Second half of 19th–early 20th century
Ethnic Cultures of Asia: The Sea People of Taiwan: The Traditional Culture of the Tao
Basement Room 13
April 18, 2017 (Tue) - June 25, 2017 (Sun)
Orchid Island is situated off the southeastern coast of the main island of Taiwan. The ethnic group of Tao (Yami) people, who live on this island, are said to have come across the sea from the northern Philippines. This exhibit presents the prayers and wisdom of the Tao people who have lived together with the sea on their isolated island.
Current exhibit includes:
Model of Ship, Second half of 19th–early 20th century
Miniature Ships, Second half of 19th–early 20th century
Necklace, Second half of 19th–early 20th century
Armor, Taiwan, Second half of 19th–early 20th century (Gift of Mr. Yamato Iwataro)