Elegant Perfection: Masterpieces of Courtly and Religious Art from the Tokyo National Museum

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0900

To commemorate the opening of a permanent gallery dedicated to Japanese art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, this exhibition of works from the Tokyo National Museum collection features masterpieces of courtly and religious art which display the origins of Japanese aesthetic traditions. Buddhist art is introduced through statues, paintings, sutra scrolls, and ritual implements, while waka poem anthologies and calligraphy by emperors of the Heian period (794-1192), along with musical instruments made in lacquerwork, demonstrate the courtly aesthetics of ancient times.
After the special exhibition, selected works including ceramics and metalwork objects will continue to be exhibited in the gallery during a long-term loan of two years.

Exhibition Title: Elegant Perfection: Masterpieces of Courtly and Religious Art from the Tokyo National Museum
Dates: Sunday, February 19, 2012 - Sunday, April 8, 2012
Venue: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (Caroline Wiess Law Building), USA
http://www.mfah.org/exhibitions/elegant-perfection-masterpieces-courtly-and-religi/
Organizers: Tokyo National Museum; The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Major works in this exhibition

Man'yo Shu, Vol.9 (Furukawa version), Heian period, 11th century (National Treasure)
Daito Saiiki Ki (Records of the Chinese Priest Xuanzang’s Journey to the West), Vol. 6,
Heian period, 12th century (Important Cultural Property)
Seated Dainichi Nyorai, Heian period, 11th century (Important Cultural Property)

Photo: Seated Dainichi Nyorai, Heian period, 11th century (Important Cultural Property)

TOKYO NATIONAL MUSEUM - Overseas Exhibitions

Elegant Perfection: Masterpieces of Courtly and Religious Art from the Tokyo National Museum