Change of Exhibits,TNM Collection Exhibitions: Starting from April 14, 2026 (Tue)
TNM Collection Exhibitions at Tokyo National Museum are rotated almost every week. This page provides the latest information on the change of exhibits.
* Some works are exhibited for a longer period of time.
Japanese Gallery (Honkan)
Buddhism was initially practiced by Japan’s upper classes and was too demanding for everyday people. Ippen (1239–1289) was a monk who traveled tirelessly throughout the provinces, teaching the faith to common men, women, and children. He claimed that chanting the name of Buddha Amida would guarantee salvation, a straightforward teaching that made Buddhism accessible to everyone.
Read from right to left, this work belongs to a series of picture scrolls illustrating Ippen’s life and accomplishments. It documents his travels and depicts a devotional practice that he popularized, in which people danced while chanting praise to Buddha Amida.
These images are painted on silk, a luxury material rarely used for picture scrolls. They are rendered from a bird’s-eye view, but the artist gave each person a unique facial expression, distinct clothing, and a sense of movement. Landscapes and scenes of everyday life are also shown in detail, providing numerous insights into ancient Japan.
The samurai ruled Japan for nearly 700 years, from the late 12th to the 19th century. They emulated the imperial court, which was the home of high culture, but also borrowed from the practices of common people. Wishing for divine protection in this life and salvation in the next, they worshipped both Shinto and Buddhist deities. The culture of the samurai was complex and ever–changing, but always reflected their authority as the warrior class of Japan.
Asian Gallery (Toyokan)
The art of “miniature painting” is one of India’s best-known genres. These paintings use elaborate brushwork and vibrant colors to depict a variety of themes, including: Indian myths, Hindu gods, portraits of kings, scenes from history, and love stories. Miniature paintings can also be enjoyed for their distinct regional styles that reflect India’s rich history of cultural diversity.
The Gallery of Horyuji Treasures
The works of calligraphy held in the Gallery of Horyuji Treasures primarily consist of records donated to the temple by Empress Kōken (713–770), works imported from China during the Tang dynasty (618–907), and Horyuji Temple’s records of daily events as well as legends concerning Prince Shōtoku.
The textiles held in the collection date from the mid-7th to 8th century and consist mainly of Buddhist ritual banners (ban), table mats (joku), and robes or other clothing worn by monks. The textiles also include fragments whose original uses are unknown, including rare ancient textiles, such as warp-faced compound weaves, tapestries, warp ikat fragments, complex gauze (ra), and plain- and twill-weave silks.
Dyed fabrics include examples of all three major dyeing techniques form the 8th century: tie-dyeing in a dot pattern (kōkechi), wax-resist dyeing (rōkechi), and clamp-resist dyeing (kyōkechi). The collection also features examples of early embroidery, braiding, and rugs.