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Masterpieces of Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy

  • Image of "Poems(detail), By Mi Fu, Northern Song dynasty, dated 1106"

    Poems(detail), By Mi Fu, Northern Song dynasty, dated 1106

    Asian Gallery (Toyokan) Room 8
    September 4, 2007 (Tue) - October 28, 2007 (Sun)

    Every autumn we present "Masterpieces of Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy", which features works from the Museum's collection and pieces from other collections in the Museum's custody.

    Chinese calligraphy and paintings have been imported to Japan for a long time, and these works have had a large impact on Japanese art. A particular example of this would be the influence of works from the Song (960 - 1279) and Yuan (1271 - 1368) dynasties, which were introduced together with Zen Buddhism following the Kamakura period (1192 - 1333). Placed in studies and tea rooms, these works provided the basis of a new way to appreciate the arts in Japan. Among the renowned Higashiyama Gomotsu Collection, which was part of the shogun's collection of art objects and books. during the Muromachi period (1336 - 1573), are works of representative Chinese calligraphy that can no longer be found in China.

    Since the Meiji period (1868 - 1912) the Japanese intellectuals have strived to follow the traditional tastes of learned Chinese, so they imported many masterpieces of Chinese painting and calligraphy.

    We hope you enjoy this opportunity to see these masterpieces from the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.

 Major works in this exhibition

* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.
 The Second Chan Patriarch in Contemplation, Attributed to Shike, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century (Important Cultural Property, on exhibit thru September 30, 2007)
Sixteen Arhats: Third Arhat, Northern Song dynasty, 10th - 12th century (National Treasure, Lent by Seiryoji, Kyoto, on exhibit thru September 30, 2007)
Sixteen Arhats: Fifth Arhat, Northern Song dynasty, 10th - 12th century (National Treasure, Lent by Seiryoji, Kyoto, on exhibit from October 2, 2007)
Hanshan and Shide, Attributed to Yan Hui, Yuan dynasty, 14th century (Important Cultural Property, on exhibit thru September 30, 2007)
Red and White Hibiscuses, By Li Di, Southern Song dynasty, dated 1197 (National Treasure, on exhibit from October 2, 2007)
Landscape, By Li Tsai, Ming dynasty, 15th century (Important Cultural Property, on exhibit from October 2, 2007)
Siwan Landscape, By Wen Pojen, Ming dynasty, dated 1551 (Important Cultural Property, on exhibit from October 2, 2007)
Imaginary Tour through Hsiao and Hsian, By Li, Southern Song dynasty, 12th century (National Treasure, on exhibit from October 2, 2007)
Plants and Creatures, By Xu Wei, Ming dynasty, dated 1575 (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro, on exhibit from October 2, 2007)
Jieshidiao Youlan vol.V, Musical Score for the Qin Zither, Tang dynasty, 7th - 8th century (National Treasure)
Guwen Shangshu vol.VI, The Text of Ancient Chinese Rulers, Tang dynasty, 7th century (National Treasure)
Shishuo Xinshu vol.VI, Tang dynasty, 7th - 8th century (National Treasure)
Collected Writings of Wang Bo, Tang dynasty, 7th - 8th century (National Treasure)
Poems, By Mi Fu, Northern Song dynasty, dated 1106
Manuscript of Epitaphs for Wang and Shi, By Huang Tingjian, Northern Song dynasty, 11th century
Manuscript for Stele Inscription in Reguler Script, By Zhao Mengfu, Yuan dynasty, 14th century
Exhibitions