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Schedule

Special Exhibitions

Chanoyu - The Arts of Tea Ceremony, The Essence of Japan
April 11, 2017 (Tue) - June 4, 2017 (Sun)

This major exhibition will focus on how the arts of the tea ceremony evolved from the Muromachi period to modernity. This will be the largest exhibition of its kind since Arts of the Tea Ceremony, which was held at Tokyo National Museum in 1980. We hope that visitors, by witnessing masterpieces of the tea ceremony from various historical periods, and attuning themselves to the sensibilities of the people who used them, will be able to experience the “Essence of Japan.”

 

Details

 

Celebrating 130 Years of Amity between Japan and Thailand
Thailand: Brilliant Land of the Buddha
July 4, 2017 (Tue) - August 27, 2017 (Sun)

Commemorating the 130th year of diplomatic ties between Japan and Thailand, the two countries collaborated with concerted efforts on this exhibition. Throughout the long history of Thailand, Buddhism was in closely tied with the people’s daily lives. A diverse Buddhist culture flourished, and extravagant works of fine and applied arts were produced. This exhibition gathers a choice selection of Buddhist art, together with treasures that are rarely exhibited outside the country, to introduce the role of Buddhism in the development of cultures in Thailand.

 

Details

 

The Living Treasures of France
September 12, 2017 (Tue) - November 26, 2017 (Sun)

Modeled on the Japanese certification of “Living National Treasure,” the French equivalent, called “Master of Art”

Modeled on the Japanese certification of “Living National Treasure,” the French equivalent, called "Maitre d' Art" or “Master of Art,” was established in 1994 by the Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication, the ministry in charge of cultural and artistic affairs. The purpose of this certification is to preserve and pass down traditional craftsmanship to future generations while promoting innovation. This is the first exhibition of its kind in the world introducing one artist from each of the fifteen fields, including ceramics, glass, leather, tortoiseshell, feather, umbrellas, fans, and wallpaper. Visitors are invited to view and experience outstanding craftsmanship and tradition, as well as splendid beauty that will inspire future generations.

 

 

Details

 

UNKEI - The Great Master of Buddhist Sculpture
September 26, 2017 (Tue) - November 26, 2017 (Sun)

In Japan, no Buddhist sculptor is better known than Unkei. With his extraordinary artistic talent, he led a new era in sculptural expression, creating realistic works that appear before the viewer as though they were alive. For this Special Exhibition, Unkei’s masterpieces have been brought together from across Japan. These include works from Kohfukuji temple in Nara, with which he had close relations. In addition to presenting an overview of Unkei’s life as a sculptor, the origins of Unkei’s remarkable style and its transmission will also be explored through the inclusion of works by his father, Kokei, as well as his sons, Tankei and Koben.

 

Details

 

Treasures from Ninnaji Temple and Omuro
January 16, 2018 (Tue) - March 11, 2018 (Sun)

国宝 阿弥陀如来坐像 平安時代・仁和4年(888) 京都・仁和寺蔵

Ninnaji, the head temple of the Omuro branch of the Shingon sect, was founded by the devotion of Emperor Koko in 886 (Ninna 2), and was completed under the following Emperor Uda in 888 (Ninna 4). Following generations of emperors became followers of the temple. Today, the temple is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as one of the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.” This exhibition features treasures of Ninnaji, together with Buddhist sculptures and other precious artifacts preserved at temples of the Omuro branch.
 

 

Details

 

Roads of Arabia: Archaeological Treasures of Saudi Arabia
January 23, 2018 (Tue) - May 13, 2018 (Sun)

Anthropomorphic stele, Qaryat al-Kaafa, c.3500-2500 BC (National Museum, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

Since ancient times the Arabian Peninsula has been intersected by trade routes, acting as crossroads of diverse peoples and civilizations. This exhibition will for the very first time in Japan display treasures from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that reveal a dynamic history and culture. More than 400 invaluable cultural properties will be displayed, including the oldest stone tools in Asia, dating back over a million years. We invite you to take advantage of this unique opportunity to experience the immensely rich and fascinating history of the Arabian Peninsula.
 

 

Details

 

Regular Exhibition

EventsPage Top

Title Venue Date
Cherry Blossom Viewing at the Tokyo National Museum Honkan
2017/3/14 - 2017/4/9
Journey through Asia at the Tokyo National Museum Toyokan
2017/9/5 - 2017/10/15
New Year's Celebration at the Tokyo National Museum Honkan
2018/1/2 - 2018/1/28
Cherry Blossom Viewing at the Tokyo National Museum Honkan
2018/3/13 - 2018/4/8

National Treasure GalleryPage Top

Exceptional work of painting and calligraphy designated as National Treasure will be exhibit on this Gallery.

Designation Name Creation Excavation Period Acquisition
Ownership
Room On exhibit
National Treasure Merrymaking under Blossom Trees By Kano Naganobu Edo period, 17th century   Room 2, Honkan 2017/3/14 - 2017/4/9
National Treasure Jeweled Pagoda Mandala, Sovereign Kings of the Golden Light Sutra written in gold to form the pagoda   Heian period, 12th century Lent by Daichojuin, Iwate Room 2, Honkan 2017/4/11 - 2017/5/7
National Treasure Lotus Sutra, Vol. 1, Known as "Sensoji kyo"   Heian period, 11th century  Lent by Sensoji, Tokyo Room 2, Honkan 2017/5/9 - 2017/6/4
National Treasure Documents Related to the Priest Enchin, Document from the Ministry of Civil Administration appointing Enchin as an attendant monk   Heian period, dated 850 (Kasho 3)   Room 2, Honkan 2017/6/6 - 2017/7/2
National Treasure Illustrated Biography of the Founders of the Kegon Sect: Chapter on Gangyo (Wonhyo), Vol. 2   Kamakura period, 13th century  Lent by Kosanji, Kyoto Room 2, Honkan 2017/7/4 - 2017/7/30
National Treasure Engishiki (Rules and regulations concerning ceremonies and other events), Vol. 4, Written on the reverse side of another document   Heian period, 11th century   Room 2, Honkan 2017/8/1 - 2017/8/27
National Treasure Illustrated Biography of Priest Ippen, Vol. 7 By Priest En’i Kamakura period, dated 1299   Room 2, Honkan 2017/8/29 - 2017/9/24
National Treasure Lotus Sutra,
Myoshogon'o honji hon chapter; known as "Jikoji kyo"
  Kamakura period, 13th century Lent by Jikoji, Saitama Room 2, Honkan 2017/9/26 - 2017/10/22
National Treasure Sixteen Arhats: Eighth Arhat, Twelfth Arhat   Heian period, 11th century   Room 2, Honkan 2017/10/24 - 2017/11/19
National Treasure Man'yo shu Poetry Anthology, Genryaku Version, Vols. 7 and 19,
Known as "Furukawa bon"
  Heian period, 11th century   Room 2, Honkan 2017/11/21 - 2017/12/25
National Treasure Sakyamuni Rising from the Gold Coffin   Heian period, 11th century Lent by the Kyoto National Museum Room 2, Honkan 2018/1/2 - 2018/1/28
National Treasure Kengu Kyo (Buddhist Scripture), Known as "Ojomu"   Nara period, 8th century   Room 2, Honkan 2018/1/30 - 2018/3/11
National Treasure Merrymaking under Blossom Trees By Kano Naganobu Edo period, 17th century   Room 2, Honkan 2018/3/13 - 2018/4/8