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Finding Cherry Blossoms in the Jananese Gallery (Honkan)

Finding Cherry Blossoms in the Jananese Gallery (Honkan)

There are many artworks featuring cherry blossoms on display in the Japanese Gallery. Come and enjoy the various expressions of cherry blossoms depicted in ancient and modern masterpieces.

Merrymaking under Blossom Trees
By Kano Naganobu, Edo period, 17th century (National Treasure)
Room2, March 13 - April 8, 2018

Depicted on this pair of screens is a scene of cherry blossom viewing by people dressed in garments with the latest designs. Whether it was intended to portray a particular event or setting is unclear. The surrounding trees and curtains, however, create a dramatic effect in which the people performing a folk dance and the ladies watching them appear as though they were on a stage.

 

Horse Stables (detail)
Muromachi period, 16th century (Important Cultural Property, Gift of Mr. Okazaki Masaya)
Room3, March 20 - April 22, 2018

This painting depicts six horses in a stable across two screens. The right end shows pines, wisteria, herons, and tortoises, while the left portrays cherry and willow trees, cranes, and mandarin ducks. There are also people playing traditional board games such as igo, shogi, and sugoroku, as well as a dog and a monkey. Although the primary theme is fine horses, this work features auspicious “flower and bird” motifs and elements of genre painting.

 

Cherry Blossom Viewing at Asukayama
By Torii Kiyonaga, Edo period, 18th century
Room 10, March 20 - April 15, 2018

 

Furisode (Garment with long sleeves), Design of weeping cherries, chrysanthemums, and tanzaku poem cards on a parti-colored chirimen crepe ground
Edo period, 18th century
Room 10, February 20 - April 22, 2018

This garment for an unmarried woman is decorated with patterns of spring plants at the top and autumn plants at the bottom, making it appropriate for both seasons.

 

Standing Fudo Myo'o (Acalanatha)
Heian period, 11th century (Gift of Mr. Okano Tetsusaku)
Room 11, February 6 - April 15, 2018

The fearsome deity Acalanatha is tasked with converting unbelievers to Buddhism. This is one of the earliest standing images of him and was carved from cherry, a wood that was rarely used in Buddhist sculpture.

 

Bowl, Cherry tree design in overglaze enamel and openwork
By Nin'nami Dohachi, Edo period, 19th century
Room 13, February 27 - May 20, 2018

Created by a renowned Kyoto potter who was active in the late Edo period (1603-1868), this bowl features cherry trees, and has a box bearing inscriptions.

 

More information
Finding Cherry Blossoms in the Jananese Gallery (Honkan)

Stamp Rally

Stamp Rally

During this period, we are holding a stamp rally based on artworks that feature cherry blossoms. Visitors who collect all stamps will be eligible to receive an original button badge.

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Springtime Opening of the Museum Garden

Springtime Opening of the Museum Garden

The Museum Garden behind the Honkan main building is open during the spring. We invite you to enjoy strolling among the five teahouses, each with their own history, as well as the cherry blossoms, which about 10 varieties bloom from one to another. The flourishing garden is most beautiful at this time of the year.

For more information about other events, please see "Related Events" below.