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Masterpieces of Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy

  • Image of "Red and White Hibiscuses, By Li Di, Southern Song dynasty, dated 1197 (National Treasure, on Exhibit from October 7, 2008)"

    Red and White Hibiscuses, By Li Di, Southern Song dynasty, dated 1197 (National Treasure, on Exhibit from October 7, 2008)

    Asian Gallery (Toyokan) Room 8
    September 9, 2008 (Tue) - November 3, 2008 (Mon)

    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.
 Sixteen Arhats, Song dynasty, 10th - 12th century (National Treasure, Lent by Seiryo-ji, Kyoto, on exhibit through October 5, 2008)
Lotus Pond and Swimming Birds, By Yu Ziming, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century (Important Cultural Property, Lent by Chion-in, Kyoto, on exhibit through October 5, 2008)
The Second Chan Patriarch in Contemplation, Attributed to Shike, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century (Important Cultural Property, on exhibit through October 5, 2008)
The Sixth Patriarch Cutting Bamboo, By Liang Kai, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century (Important Cultural Property, on exhibit through October 5, 2008)
Solitary Angler on a Wintery River, Attributed to Ma Yuan, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century (Important Cultural Property, on exhibit through October 5, 2008)
Insects and Flowers, Yuan dynasty, 14th century (Important Cultural Property, on exhibit through October 5, 2008)
Young Sparrows in a Basket, Attributed to Song Rozhi, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century (Important Cultural Property, on exhibit through October 5, 2008)
Hanshan and Side, By Yintuoluo, Yuan dynasty, 14th century (National Treasure, on exhibit through October 5, 2008)
Red and White Hibiscuses, By Li Di, Southern Song dynasty, dated 1197 (National Treasure, on exhibit from October 7, 2008)
Li Po in Stroll, By Liang Kai, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century (Important Cultural Property, on exhibit from October 7, 2008)
The Chan Monk Dongshan Wading a Stream, By Ma Yuan, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century (Important Cultural Property, on exhibit from October 7, 2008)
Cockerel and Bamboo, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century (Important Cultural Property, on exhibit from October 7, 2008)
Hanshan and Side, Attributed to Yan Hui, Yuan dynasty, 14th century (Important Cultural Property, on exhibit from October 7, 2008)
Siwan Landscape, By Wen Pojen, Ming dynasty, dated 1551 (Important Cultural Property, on exhibit from October 7, 2008)
Imaginary Tour through Hsiao and Hsian, By Li, Southern Song dynasty, 12th century (National Treasure, on exhibit from October 7, 2008)
Plants and Creatures, By Xu Wei, Ming dynasty, dated 1575 (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro, on exhibit from October 7, 2008)
Collected Writings of Wang Bo, Tang dynasty, 7th - 8th century (National Treasure)
Letters in Semicursive Script, By Mi Fu, Northern Song dynasty, 11 - 12th century, China
Poems and letters in Semicursive and Cursive Script, By Xianyu Shu, Yuan dynasty, 13th century, China (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
Manuscript for Stele Inscription in Square Script, By Zhao Mengfu, Yuan dynasty, 14th century
Chu-shi-biao in square script, By Zhu Yunming, Ming dynasty, 16th century, China (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
Exhibitions