Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room T1
January 2, 2009 (Fri) - January 25, 2009 (Sun)
Our annual New Year feature exhibition for 2009 commemorates the Year of the Ox in Chinese Zodiac, taking depictions of oxen in art as its theme.
Historically kept as livestock, oxen have played an important part in our lives, for example, assisting us with the provision of labor. Through the works in this exhibition, we explore how oxen have been represented in art, and ways in which they embody people's thoughts and prayers.
The figure of the ox can be seen expressed in a variety of different forms: at work in the fields representing the coming of spring, pulling ox-carriages, which were vehicles for the noble class, and as a symbol of a rich harvest, or simply wealth in itself. Beginning with images of harvests, the hopes for which were entrusted with oxen, we hope you enjoy the depictions of this auspicious animal on display.