Anniversary Projects

Conserving Ancient Textiles: An Endeavor Spanning Five Decades

October 18, 2022 (Tue) - December 11, 2022 (Sun)

The Gallery of Horyuji Treasures Room 6

Hōryūji Temple preserved a remarkable collection of early textiles dating from the late sixth to eighth century at its grounds near Japan’s ancient capital of Nara. The temple dedicated many of those textiles to the imperial household in 1878 as part of a collection called the Hōryūji Treasures. After the Second World War, the collection was placed in the care of the government and is now housed at the Tokyo National Museum.
The year 2022 marks fifty years since the Museum launched a full-scale initiative to conserve the textiles in the Hōryūji Treasures. This thematic exhibition offers a unique glimpse into the Museum’s conservation activities.

Major Works in this Exhibition

Buddhist Ritual Banner (Ranodōjō-ban) Passed down at the Shōsōin Repository Nara period, 757

Large Buddhist Ritual Banner (Kanton-ban), Asuka–Nara period, 7–8th century

Brocade with Large Flowers, Passed down at the Shōsōin Repository, Nara period or Tang dynasty, 8th century