Change of Exhibits,TNM Collection Exhibitions: Starting from July 22, 2026 (Wed)
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)
The works on display contain chapters from a sacred Buddhist text called the Sovereign Kings Sutra. Highly influential in Japan, this text promises that powerful Buddhist deities will protect any country whose ruler upholds the Buddha’s teachings.
A master calligrapher wrote the chapters in tiny gold characters. The characters form the shapes of two Buddhist pagodas, towers built to enshrine the Buddha’s cremated remains. Scenes from the Sovereign Kings Sutra surround each tower.Therefore, these works reflect the Buddhist belief that certain virtuous acts — such as copying sacred texts, explaining them through images, and building pagodas — will bring blessings in this life and the next.
Prints and paintings called ukiyo-e were the first genre of art enjoyed by common people on a large scale. Economic growth contributed to the creation of this genre in the 17th century. As living standards improved, common people developed an urban culture that was passionate about trends, fashion, and entertainment.
At first, ukiyo-e depicted the celebrities of the day, especially actors of the kabuki theater and courtesans of the pleasure quarters (the legal brothel district). The subject matter later expanded to include topics like seasonal festivals, travel spots, and landscapes.Techniques for making ukiyo-e also changed over time. Early ukiyo-e were painted by hand. Artisans later started carving images into blocks of wood and used these blocks to print ukiyo-e in large numbers. These black-and-white prints were much more affordable. As carving and printing techniques were refined, prints with a brilliant range of colors became possible.
Asian Gallery (Toyokan)
This room mainly features artifacts discovered at Silk Road sites by the Japanese Ōtani expeditions at the start of the 20th century. Works are exhibited on rotation and illustrate the wide range of art and religious objects found in the diverse cultures along the Silk Road.