ABOUT TNM

博覧会関係者記念写真

150 years since foundation

Tokyo National Museum (TNM) is the oldest institution of its kind in Japan. Its origin goes back to 1872, when a national exposition was held at the Yushima Confucian Shrine in Tokyo. Today, TNM collects, conserves, and exhibits artworks, archaeological artifacts, and other cultural properties from Japan and other regions of Asia. The Museum also conducts research and holds educational events to promote the understanding and appreciation of these cultural properties.

Japanese Galley Room 18 “Art of the Modern Era | Late 19th–first half of 20th century”

An extensive collection

TNM is home to over 120,000 "items," some of which are individual objects while others are collections numbering in the thousands. The TNM collection including 89 National Treasures and 648 Important Cultural Properties, making it the most significant collection in Japan in terms of both quantity and quality. About 3,000 of these items are on display in the regular exhibitions and are rotated often, providing something new for every visit.

Asian Gallery Room 13 “Asian Textiles: Cashmere Shawls

Over 300 times

Regular exhibitions are also rotated more than 300 times a year, offering something new with each visit.

Hyokeikan and Japanese Gallery

6 exhibition buildings

There are 6 exhibition buildings altogether. The Honkan houses Japanese art. The Toyokan exhibits Asian Art. The Heiseikan has the Japanese archaeological gallery. The Gallery of Horyuji Treasures exhibits the treasures originally owned by the Horyu-ji temple. Kuroda Memorial Hall exibits works by the renowned Japanese oil painter Kuroda Seiki. The Hyokeikan is only open during special exhibitions.

Features

Collection

Heiseikan Thematic Exhibition Room
New Acquisitions to the Museum in Fiscal Year 2020

Tokyo National Museum houses approximately 120,000 items of cultural properties. The collection includes art works, historical documents, and archaeological objects of Japan as well as East Asia and other parts of Asia, mainly created before the mid-20th century.
We strive to accumulate a systematic and historically balanced collection and to preserve traditional culture of the country.

Research

Under investigation of archaeological materials

We conduct research on cultural properties originating in Asia, with a focus on Japan. Research outcomes are reflected in the museum’s collection, and in our collection and exhibition activities.

Conservation and Restoration

Japanese Gallery Room 17 "Conservation and Restoration

Preservation of cultural property involves balancing public access with conservation needs.
This requires a comprehensive approach which entails the precise application of preventive and remedial conservation in accordance with our long-term vision. We practice primary care as a comprehensive approach through regular clinical diagnosis, preventive measure and remedial treatment for cultural properties based on various experiences accumulated over the years and through latest research results.

Education

TNM Kids day in 2021

To provide a better museum experience for visitors, we offer opportunities for as many people as possible to get to know the museum, and we help them to develop a deeper understanding of Japanese and Asian culture. By collaborating with schools and developing volunteer activities, we strive to establish a pioneering model for engaging museum projects while promoting effective educational programs that reflect our role as a leading museum in Japan.

Regular Exhibitions

Japanese Gallery Room 2 "National Treasure Gallery"

We have occasional change of exhibits due to conservation purposes. Japanese and Asian works of art sometimes could be fragile caused by their materials and techniques; exhibiting for a long period of time may damage collections.
Japanese art often well depicts nature from four seasons and our curators are choosing art works most suitable for every season.

本館 外観

Japanese Gallery (Honkan)

The galleries on the 2nd floor trace the history of the arts of Japan from the Neolithic Age to the 19th century. The galleries on the 1st floor provide in-depth looks at specific genres, such as Buddhist sculpture and lacquerware.

The original Main Gallery (designed by the British architect Josiah Conder) was severely damaged in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. In contrast to western style of the original structure, the design of the present Honkan by Watanabe Jin is the more eastern "Emperor's Crown Style." Construction began in 1932, and the building was opened in 1938.

(Displayed works are rotated periodically for conservation reasons. Please see the TNM website for works on exhibit and exhibition periods.)

  • Japanese Gallery Room 4 "Tea Ceremony"
    Tea Bowl Named "Kimura", Joseon dynasty, 16th–17th century (Gift of Mr. Hirota Matsushige)
  • Japanese Gallery Rooms 5 & 6"Arms and Armor of the Samurai | 12th–19th century"
  • Japanese Gallery Room 7 "Paintings on Folding Screens and Sliding Doors | 16th–19th century"
    Flowers, Birds and Insects of the Four Seasons, Artist unknown, Muromachi–Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th century
  • Japanese Gallery Room 9 "Performing Arts"
    Undergarment with Dolls and Boxes for the Shell-Matching Game, Satin (detail), Formerly used by Bandō Mitsue, Edo period, 19th century (Gift of Ms. Takagi Kiyō)
  • Japanese Gallery Room 12 "Lacquerware"
  • Lighting fixture
  • Entrance Hall
Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan)

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan)

The Heiseikan, built to commemorate the crown prince's (current Emperor’s) wedding in 1993, serves primarily as the space for special exhibitions. There is the Japanese Archaeological Gallery on the first floor, as well as four special exhibition galleries on the second floor.

(Displayed works are rotated periodically for conservation reasons. Please see the TNM website for works on exhibit and exhibition periods.)

  • Tomb Sculptures
  • Japanese Archaeological Gallery "Dogū: Objects of Prayer in the Jomon Period"Dogū (Clay figurine) With goggle-shaped eyes, Found in Ōsaki City, Miyagi, Jomon period, 1,000-400 BC (Important Cultural Property)
  • Japanese Archaeological Gallery "Political Maturation and the Creation of Symbols of Authority"
  • Japanese Archaeological Gallery "Ancient Swords with Inscriptions and the Society of the Kofun Period"
    Iron Sword with Silver Inlay Inscription (detail), Excavated at Eta-Funayama Tumulus, Nagomi-machi, Kumamoto, Kofun period, 5th-6th century (National Treasure)

Visit the Japanese Archaeology Gallery on the 1st floor to see over 10,000 years of artifacts from Japan’s ancient cultures. The 2nd floor features special exhibitions that change throughout the year. Refreshments are available for purchase on the 1st floor.

Special Exhibition Galleries
Asian Gallery (Toyokan)

Asian Gallery (Toyokan)

This building features art and artifacts from regions across Asia and parts of the Middle East, including China, Korea, Southeast & Central Asia, India, and Egypt. Completed in 1968, the Asian Gallery was designed by Taniguchi Yoshirō (1904–1979).

(Displayed works are rotated periodically for conservation reasons. Please see the TNM website for works on exhibit and exhibition periods.)

  • Asian Gallery Room 1 "Chinese Buddhist Sculpture"
    Standing Bodhisattva, Northern Qi dynasty, dated 552 (Important Cultural Property, Gift of Mr. Nezu Kaichiro)
  • Asian Gallery Room 3 "Artifacts from West Asia and Egypt"
  • Asian Gallery Room 5 "Chinese Bronzes"
  • Asian Gallery Room 12 "Gilt Bronze Statues from Southeast Asia"
    Standing Cakrasamvara with Consort, 15th–16th century (Gift of Mr. Hattori Shichibei)
The Gallery of Horyuji Treasures

The Gallery of Horyuji Treasures

The Collection of Horyuji Treasures is comprised of over 300 objects, many of which are over 1,300 years old. These objects were passed down at the ancient Buddhist temple Horyuji and include 14 National Treasures and 239 Important Cultural Properties. The building was designed by Taniguchi Yoshio (born 1937) and opened in 1999.

(Displayed works are rotated periodically for conservation reasons. Please see the TNM website for works on exhibit and exhibition periods.)

  • The Gallery of Horyuji Treasures Room 2 "Gilt Bronze Buddhist Statues, Halos and Repoussé Buddhist Images"
  • The Gallery of Horyuji Treasures Room 2 "Gilt Bronze Buddhist Statues, Halos and Repoussé Buddhist Images"
    Queen Maya and Heavenly Beings, Treasures from Horyu-ji, Asuka period, 7th century (Important Cultural Property)
  • Room 5 "Metalwork"
    Pitcher with Dragon Head, Asuka period, 7th century (National Treasure)
Kuroda Memorial Hall

Kuroda Memorial Hall

The Kuroda Memorial Hall was built in 1928 through a bequest from Western-style painter Kuroda Seiki (1866-1924). The building first opened as the home of The Institute of Arts Research for the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts in 1930. In recognition of Kuroda's artistic achievements, exhibits of oil paintings, sketches and similar works donated by the artist's family and others are on display.

(Displayed works are rotated periodically for conservation reasons. Please see the TNM website for works on exhibit and exhibition periods.)

  • Kuroda Memorial Hall Collection Highlights Gallery
  • Door of Kuroda Memorial Room
  • Kuroda Memorial Room
Hyokeikan

Hyokeikan

Built in 1909, it is the oldest building at TNM and is designated as an Important Cultural Property for its use of early 19th-century European-style architecture. It was built to commemorate the wedding of the Crown Prince, who later became Emperor Taishō.
The Hyokeikan is only open during special exhibitions.

  • Lions
  • A ceiling of Hyokeikan
  • Stairs of Hyokeikan
TNM is approaching its 150th birthday in 2022! We created a special movie to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Tokyo National Museum.