Chinese Buddhist Sculpture
1st floor Room 1
April 11, 2017 (Tue) -
April 8, 2018 (Sun)
February 21, 2018 (Wed), 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)
Glazed Tiles, Iron Age, 8th-7th century BC
Artifacts from West Asia and Egypt
2nd floor Room 3
February 6, 2018 (Tue) - May 13, 2018 (Sun)
This part intrduces artifacts from West Asia and Egypt, known as the cradle of the earliest civilization.
Current exhibit includes:
Stone Fragment with Cartouche of Pharaoh Akhenaten, Excavated in Tell el-Amarna, Egypt, New Kingdom (18th dynasty; around the reign of Akhenaten), ca. 1351–1334 BC (Gift of the University of Pennsylvania)
Jar with Two Handles, Roman period, 2nd century (Gift of Mr. Momose Osamu and Mrs. Momose Fumiko)
Terracotta Figurine of a Musician, 18th–17th century B.C.
Battle Axe, Excavated in Luristan, Iran, Late 2nd–early 1st millennium BC
Glazed Tiles, Iron Age, 8th–7th century BC
Oenochoe, 4th century (Private collection)
Statue of Lion-headed Goddess Sakhmet, Excavated at Thebes, Egypt, New Kingdom, 18th dynasty, 16th–14th century BC
Heracles, Excavated at Hatra, Iraq, Parthian period, 1st–2nd century (Gift of Iraqi Government)
Large Jar, Blue glaze, Excavated in Iran, Islamic period, 13th–14th century
Seated Buddha, Kushan dynasty, 2nd–3rd century
Sculptures from India and Gandhara
2nd floor Room 3
June 27, 2017 (Tue) - June 24, 2018 (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
Drona, Cave 224, Kizil Grottoes, ChinaOtani collection, Tang dynasty, 7th century
Art of the Western Regions
2nd floor Room 3
February 14, 2018 (Wed) - March 18, 2018 (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, Kumtura Grottoes, ChinaOtani collection, Tang dynasty, 7th–8th century
Drona, Cave 224, Kizil Grottoes, ChinaOtani collection, Tang dynasty, 7th century
3rd floor
Carved Stone Monster (detail), Purportedly excavated at Yinxu, Anyang, Henan province, China, Shang dynasty, 13th–11th century BC
The Advent of Chinese Civilization
3rd floor Room 4
February 14, 2018 (Wed) - June 3, 2018 (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:
Painted Pottery Short-necked Jar, Excavated in Gansu or Qinghai province, China, Majiayao culture, ca. 2,600–2,300 BC
Oracle Bones, Excavated at Yinxu, Anyang, Henan province, China, Shang dynasty, 13th–11th century BC
Jade Axe, Neolithic period, 3rd millennium BC
Carved Stone Monster, Purportedly excavated at Yinxu, Anyang, Henan province, China, Shang dynasty, 13th–11th century BC
Finial, Animal shape, Northern frontier, China, Spring and Autumn period, 6th–5th century BC
Chinese Bronzes
3rd floor Room 5
February 6, 2018 (Tue) - June 24, 2018 (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.
Current exhibit includes:
Sword, China, Spring and Autumn-Warring States period, 6th–5th century BC
Umbrella Finials, China, Warring States period, 4th–3rd century BC
Finial, Animal shape, Northern frontier, China, Spring and Autumn period, 6th–5th century BC
Bu Jar, Taotie design, China, Shang dynasty, 13th–11th century BC
Camel, With pigment, China, Northern Wei dynasty, 6th century (Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Burials in China
3rd floor Room 5
February 6, 2018 (Tue) - June 3, 2018 (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:
Musicians and Dancer, With pigment, China, Eastern Han dynasty, 1st-2nd century (Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Camel, With pigment, China, Northern Wei dynasty, 6th century (Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Vase with Dragon Handles, Three-color glaze with applied ornaments, China, Tang dynasty, 8th century (Important Cultural Property, Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Tomb Guardian, Three-color glaze, China, Tang dynasty, 7th-8th century (Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Water Dropper, Flowering plant design in overglaze enamel and gold, Jingdezhen ware, China, Formerly preserved by the Sakai clan of Wakasa province, Ming dynasty, 16th century (Gift of Mr. Hirota Matsushige)
Chinese Ceramics
3rd floor Room 5
February 6, 2018 (Tue) - May 20, 2018 (Sun)
This part presents the changing expressions of Chinese ceramics from the 7th to the 19th century.
Current exhibit includes:
Jar, Three-color glaze with plum blossom design, Tang dynasty, 8th century (Gift of Mr. Hirota Matsushige)
Dish, Celadon glaze, Ru ware, China, Formerly owned by Kawabata Yasunari, Northern Song dynasty, 11th–12th century (Gift of Mr. Katori Kuniomi and Mrs. Katori Yoshiko)
Water Dropper, Flowering plant design in overglaze enamel and gold, Jingdezhen ware, China, Formerly preserved by the Sakai clan of Wakasa province, Ming dynasty, 16th century (Gift of Mr. Hirota Matsushige)
Bowl, Lotus bouquet design in doucai enamel, Jingdezhen ware, China, Qing dynasty, Yongzheng era (Gift of Mr. Hirota Matsushige)
BrocadeLarge karahana flower design on pale blue ground, Passed down at the Shosoin Repository Nara period, 8th century
Chinese Textiles: Brocade
3rd floor Room 5
January 2, 2018 (Tue) - April 8, 2018 (Sun)
Brocade is a silk textile that has patterns woven with multicolored threads. The brocades of China are characterized by techniques unique to the historical periods in which they were created. For example, in the Han dynasty (202 BC–220 AD), a type of brocade was invented in which both the ground color and the patterns were created with warp threads. During the Tang dynasty (618–907), brocades with patterns in multicolored weft threads on a warp ground became popular, while the Liao dynasty (916–1125) saw the creation of "Liao-style brocade." This exhibition will explore the techniques used to create brocades throughout the history of China, "the land of silk."
Current exhibit includes:
Brocade, Camellia arabesque design on red ground, Yuan–Ming dynasty, 13th–14th century
BrocadeLarge karahana flower design on pale blue ground, Passed down at the Shosoin Repository Nara period, 8th 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 Blossoms (detail), By Wu Changshuo, China, Republic period, dated 1925 (Gift of Mr. Aoyama San'u)
Wu Changshuo and His Time: Commemorating 90 years after his death
4th floor Room 8
January 2, 2018 (Tue) - March 4, 2018 (Sun)
This exhibition, on the 90th year after his death, features his alluring works and commemorates his accomplishments. This also marks the 15th joint exhibition with the Taito City Calligraphy Museum.
Display Shelf for Writing Tools and Materials, China, Qing dynasty, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Hirota Matsushige)
Chinese Literati
4th floor Room 8
January 2, 2018 (Tue) - March 4, 2018 (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:
Display Shelf for Writing Tools and Materials, China, Qing dynasty, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Hirota Matsushige)
Orchid and Stone, By Wu Changshuo, China, Republic period, dated 1916 (Private collection)
5th floor
Covered Box, Dragon and phoenix design in carved red lacquer, Ming dynasty, dated 1592
Chinese Lacquerware
5th floor Room 9
October 31, 2017 (Tue) - February 25, 2018 (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:
Tray with Foliate Rim, Red lacquer, Southern Song dynasty, 12th–13th century (Lent by the Tokiwayama Bunko Foundation, Tokyo)
Tray, Chrysanthemum design in carved black lacquer, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century
Covered Box, Dragon and phoenix design in carved red lacquer, Ming dynasty, dated 1592
Pomegranate, Qing dynasty, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Kamiya Denbei)
Decorative Art of the Qing Dynasty
5th floor Room 9
October 31, 2017 (Tue) - February 25, 2018 (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:
Candlesticks, Qing dynasty, Qianlong era
Pomegranate, Qing dynasty, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Kamiya Denbei)
Eaves Tile, With inscription, Nangnang (Lelang), 2nd–3rd century
Polished Stone Tools and Metal Tools of Korea
5th floor Room 10
October 17, 2017 (Tue) - April 22, 2018 (Sun)
This part highlights Korean polished stone tools and metal objects that had a great influence on Japan's Yayoi culture.
Current exhibit includes:
Octagonal Sarira Casket (Relic container), Attributed provenance: Gwangyang, Korea, Unified Silla dynasty, 8th–9th century (Important Art Object, 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
Brick, With inscription, Nangnang (Lelang), dated 286 AD
Eaves Tile, With inscription, Nangnang (Lelang), 2nd–3rd century
Round Eaves Tile, With inscription, 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)
Epitaph of Choe Chungheon, Goryeo dynasty, dated 1219
Belt Fittings with Animal Faces, Attributed provenance: Geochang, Korea, Three Kingdoms period (Gaya), 5th–6th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
The Rises and Falls of Kings in Korea
5th floor Room 10
October 17, 2017 (Tue) - April 22, 2018 (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:
Belt Hook in Shape of Horse, Attributed provenance: Seonsan, Korea, Proto-Three Kingdoms period, 2nd–3rd century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Belt Fittings with Animal Faces, Attributed provenance: Geochang, Korea, Three Kingdoms period (Gaya), 5th–6th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
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)
Three-legged Vessel with Handle, Attributed provenance: Hapcheon, Korea, Three Kingdoms period, 6th century (Important Cultural Property, Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Wide-mouthed Footed Jar (detail), Goja, Three Kingdoms period (Gaya), 6th century
Korean Ceramics
5th floor Room 10
October 17, 2017 (Tue) - April 22, 2018 (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:
Wide-mouthed Footed Jar, Goja, Three Kingdoms period (Gaya), 6th century
Long-necked Jar, Three Kingdoms period (Silla), second half of 5th century
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)
Equestrian Figurine, Three Kingdoms period (Silla), 5th–6th century, Important Art Object, Gift of the Ogura Foundation
Bowl, Buncheong ware with stamped beaded roundels design, Joseon dynasty, 15th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Tea Bowl with Brush Marks, Mujihakeme type; known as "Murakumo", Mujihakeme type, Passed down by the Matsu'ura clan, the feudal load of Hirado domain, Joseon dynasty, 16th century (Gift of Mr. Matsunaga Yasuzaemon)
Glass Bowl, Glass Ewer, Attributed provenance: Yeonbaek, Korea, Goryeo dynasty, 11th–12th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Buddhist Art of Korea
5th floor Room 10
November 7, 2017 (Tue) - June 17, 2018 (Sun)
This part features the essence of Korean Buddhist art.
Current exhibit includes:
Brick, With inscription, Excavated from Taiwangling, Ji'an, China, Three Kingdoms period (Goguryeo), 4th–5th century (Gift of Mr. Maruyama Sakura)
Round Eave Tile, With inscription, Excavated from Wolsong, Gyeongju, Korea, Unified Silla dynasty, 8th?9th century
Standing Vairocana, Korea, Unified Silla-Goryeo dynasty, 9th?10th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Glass Ewer, Attributed provenance: Yeonbaek, Korea, Goryeo dynasty, 11th–12th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Gong, With year inscription, By Han Jungseo, Korea, Goryeo dynasty, dated 1213
Brush Stand, Lotus arabesque in openwork with designs in underglaze blue and red, 19th–20th century
Art of the Joseon Dynasty
5th floor Room 10
January 2, 2018 (Tue) - April 8, 2018 (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:
Landscape, By Kang Sehwang, Joseon dynasty, 18th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Landscape, By Yi Hancheol, Joseon dynasty, 19th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Octave in Seven-character Phrases in Running Script, By Yi Hwang, Joseon dynasty, 16th 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
October 17, 2017 (Tue) - May 6, 2018 (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
Felt Rug, Lozenges with flower design on light red ground (detail), Turkey, First half of 20th century (Gift of Mr. Konishi Akihito)
Asian Textiles: Textiles of Nomadic People
Basement Room 13
January 2, 2018 (Tue) - April 8, 2018 (Sun)
Current exhibit includes:
Piled Rug for Prayer, Mihrab and mosque lamp design on red and indigo ground, Turkey, Ca. mid-20th century (Gift of Mr. Konishi Akihito)
Felt Rug, Lozenges with flower design on light red ground, Turkey, First half of 20th century (Gift of Mr. Konishi Akihito)
Prince with Falcon (detail), By Rajasthan school, Ca. mid–18th century
Indian Miniature Paintings
Basement Room 13
January 30, 2018 (Tue) - February 25, 2018 (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 each picture, such as myths, music, and nature.
Current exhibit includes:
Raja Hunting Wild Boar, By Kishangarh school, Ca. mid–19th century
Prince with Falcon, By Rajasthan school, Ca. mid–18th century
Sword (detail), Southern Taiwan, Second half of 19th-first half of 20th century
Ethnic Cultures of Asia: Wood Sculpture of the Payuan Indigenous People of Taiwan
Basement Room 13
January 30, 2018 (Tue) - April 22, 2018 (Sun)
Taiwan s population consists not only of Han Chinese, who originally came from the mainland, but also of 16 indigenous tribes. Of these tribes, the Payuan people based in southern Taiwan are divided into two social classes: the noble class, or the class of chieftains, and the class of villagers. People in both classes have long worshiped their respective ancestors. This exhibition shows wooden artifacts that were used mainly by the noble class at festivals and ceremonies. Patterns on the surfaces of these objects represent a sense of admiration and awe towards ancestral spirits. In particular, the patterns with motifs such as of human gures and snakes, which typically are symbolic of ancestral spirits of the noble class, constitute an important element characteristic of wood sculpture created by the Payuan people. This exhibition sheds light on two-dimensional yet lively depictions of ancestral spirits on various pieces of wood sculpture.
Current exhibit includes:
Seat with Human Face, Pingtung County, Taiwan, Second half of 19th–early 20th century
Connected Cups, Majia-xiang, Pingtung County, Taiwan, Second half of 19th–early 20th century
Sword, Southern Taiwan, Second half of 19th-first half of 20th century