Buddhist Art: Heian - Muromachi period
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Sixteen Arhats: Third Arhat, Heian period, 11th century (National Treasure)
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 3
October 27, 2015 (Tue) - December 6, 2015 (Sun)Buddhist art is one of the major genres that define Japanese art. Many masterworks date from the late Heian period, a time characterized as classical in Japanese art history. After the Kamakura period, Buddhist art further developed in its materials, methods, and styles as Zen schools and other new Buddhist schools emerged, together with the influence from the Chinese arts. This exhibit features artworks from the Heian to Kamakura periods, when Buddhist art most flourished, adding siginificant objects from the Nanbokucho and Muromachi periods.
Current exhibit includes:
Standing Amida Nyorai (Amitabha), By Eisen, Kamakura period, dated 1259 (Important Cultural Property, Gift of Mr. Yasuda Zenjiro)
Sixteen Arhats: Third Arhat, Heian period, 11th century (National Treasure)
Sixteen Arhats: Fifth Arhat, Heian period, 11th century (National Treasure)
Portrait of Priestess Myonen, Inscription by Nichijo dated 1564, Muromachi period, 16th century (Important Art Object)
Kusha ron chu fuzen muchi dani ryoken (From the Abhidharma kosa, an interpretive Buddhist text), By Myoe, Heian period, dated 1191 (Important Cultural Property, Lent by Kosanji, Kyoto)
Words of Prayer, By Jien (1155-1225), Kamakura period, dated 1224 (Important Cultural Property)
Reliquary for Cintamani (Sacred jewel), Stupa type, Kamakura period, 13th century (National Treasure, Lent by Chofukuji, Nara)
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| National Treasure | Plaque with Hairline Engraving of Zao Gongen | Excavated from Kinpusen, Tenkawa-mura, Yoshino-gun, Nara | Heian period, dated 1001 (Choho 3) | Lent by Nishiarai daishi Soujiji, Tokyo | On exhibit from November 10, 2015 |