Schedule

Heiseikan

From ancient times, the Japanese people have respected nature and appreciated its power that transcends human knowledge. People believed that gods resided in natural creations such as mountains, rocks, and trees. Shrines that were built to worship the gods housed statues representing deities and their accompanying divine treasures. These statues and treasures have been carefully preserved at Shinto shrines, places revered as sacred. This exhibition, on the occasion of the 62nd grand relocation of the Ise Jingu shrine, will be held with the full cooperation of Jinja Honcho (Association of Shinto Shrines) and shrines across Japan, presenting a rare opportunity for a comprehensive view of treasures and cultural heritage related to Shinto shrines and deities.

Photo:Yoshino Mikomori shinzo, Nanbokucho period, 14th century, Private collection

Details

Heiseikan

The history of Japanese calligraphy developed under the influence of Chinese calligraphy techniques. As Japanese styles of social systems and culture evolved in the mid-Heian period (around the 10th century), the renowned calligraphers Ono no Tofu, Fujiwara no Sari, and Fujiwara no Kozei appeared, who established the Japanese style of calligraphy. From then on, the tradition of Japanese-style calligraphy became central in the history of calligraphy in Japan. This exhibition introduces the allure of calligraphy by looking at its history, through an array of Japanese-style calligraphy masterpieces.

Photo: Poems of Bai Juyi, By Fujiwara no Kozei, Heian period, dated 1018 (National Treasure)

Details

Heiseikan

Kyoto is a fascinating city that welcomes many visitors from Japan and abroad each year. As the capital of Japan for many centuries until the 19th century, Kyoto has nurtured traditional cultures and continued them for generations, a factor which is greatly connected to the city’s allure. This exhibition invites visitors to experience a unique world of Kyoto aesthetics. The displayed works focus on masterpieces of large-scale depictions of town life and seasonal views of the city known as Scenes in and around Kyoto, along with interior panel paintings that adorned three symbolic Kyoto locations: The Kyoto Imperial Palace, and Nijo Castle, and Ryoanji temple known for its rock garden. A particular highlight is the stunning display of a room of Nijo Castle, reproduced with spectacular panel paintings which have recently been restored.

Photo: Scenes In and Around Kyoto, By Iwasa Matabe, Edo period, 17th century (Important Cultural Property)

Gallery 8, Toyokan

This exhibition features representative masterpieces of Chinese painting from the Shanghai Museum, which boasts one of the largest collections in China. Through these treasured works from the Shanghai Museum, this exhibition offers a rare opportunity to overview approximately 600 years of Chinese painting history, from the Song and Yuan dynasties to the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Rooms 1 and 2, Heiseikan

This exhibition introduces the Japanese painting collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, a leading art museum in America. Through a well-balanced and extremely high-quality collection organized by themes and eras, this exhibition highlights the history and attraction of Japanese art.

Rooms 3 and 4, Heiseikan

Some decorative art artists, receiving praise for their dedication to and pursuit of their art forms, are selected as Living National Treasures. This exhibition, the first of its kind, displays masterpieces by successive generations of Living National Treasures, together with famous examples of decorative art that include National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties.

Photo: Bowl, Flowers in overglaze enamel, By Imaizumi ImaemonXIII, 1996