Sixteen Arhats: First Arhat (detail), Heian period, 11th century (National Treasure)
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 3
March 1, 2016 (Tue) - April 10, 2016 (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 Bishamon Ten (Vaisravana), Heian period, 12th century (Gift of the Kataoka family)
Amida Nyorai (Amitabha), Kamakura period, 14th century
Sixteen Arhats: First Arhat, Heian period, 11th century (National Treasure)
Kegon kyo (Avatamsaka Sutra), On shikishi paper, Heian period, 12th century
Hoke kyo (Lotus Sutra), Funbestu kudoku hon (Chapter 17), Kamakura period, dated 1253 (Important Cultural Property, Lent by Hogonji, Shiga)
Hoke Kyo (Lotus Sutra), Vol. 4Known as "Sensoji-kyo", Heian period, 11th century (National Treasure, Lent by Senso-ji, Tokyo)
Kei Gong, Heian period, 12th century (National Treasure, Lent by Zenrinji, Kyoto)