Ancient Art | Ca. 11,000 BC–7th century AD
2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art" Room 1
July 5, 2022 (Tue) -
December 25, 2022 (Sun)
Japanese Gallery (Honkan)
The original Japanese Gallery (designed by the British architect Josiah Conder) was severely damaged in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. In contrast to western style of the original structure, the design of the present Honkan by Watanabe Jin is the more eastern "Emperor's Crown Style." Construction began in 1932, and the building was opened in 1938. 24 exhibition rooms on two floors provide a thorough introduction into Japanese art: "Highlights of Japanese Art" on the second floor introduces the development of Japanese art from Jomon through to the Edo period in a chronological manner, and genre galleries presenting specific rooms displaying ceramics, swords, lacquerwares, sculptures, modern decorative arts as well as the material culture of Ainu and Ryukyu are located on the first floor.
2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Bronze Bell (Dōtaku), Found in Mount Tsurikōjin, Shizuoka, Yayoi period, 1st–3rd century, Gift of Mr. Mizuno Tadahiro
Ancient Art | Ca. 11,000 BC–7th century AD
2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art" Room 1
July 5, 2022 (Tue) - December 25, 2022 (Sun)
In the Kofun period (ca. second half of 3rd–7th century), regional rulers seized power and resources. They formed an early state and the imperial line became its central authority. These rulers had giant tomb mounds built for themselves, with clay sculptures placed outside and valuable objects buried inside to express the rulers’ authority even after death.
Bowl, Nara period, 8th century (Important Cultural Property)
The Arrival of Buddhism | 6th–8th century
2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art" Room 1
July 20, 2022 (Wed) - August 28, 2022 (Sun)
Japan's leaders transformed their society by adopting Buddhism and other foreign cultures and practices. Buddhism was founded by Gautama Buddha in ancient India around 500 BC. Later it spread throughout Asia and was introduced to Japan from the Korean Peninsula in the 6th century AD.
In the Asuka period (593–710), people from the Korean Peninsula brought advanced knowledge to Japan. They included monks, scholars, and artisans, who brought technology, scholarship, artistic traditions, and Buddhist teachings. Under the leadership of the emperor and powerful clans, Buddhism began to flourish as temples were built and sacred images created.
In the Nara period (710–794), Japan’s leaders emulated the Buddhist culture that was thriving in China. In the capital of Nara, the emperor oversaw the creation of a giant buddha sculpture at Tōdaiji Temple, the symbol of a state now unified under Buddhism. The sculptures, ritual tools, sacred texts, and other works on display illustrate these two periods of rapid change.
Scenes of "The First Warbler" and "New Herbs" from The Tale of Genji (detail)
By Tosa Mitsuoki, Edo period, 17th century
Future National Treasures: Masterpieces of Painting and Calligraphy from the Museum Collection
2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art" Room 2
August 2, 2022 (Tue) - August 28, 2022 (Sun)
Tokyo National Museum is celebrating its 150th anniversary. During its long history, the Museum accumulated an extensive collection, including many artworks of great artistic or historical value. Not all these works, however, are designated as National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties. From among these works, our curators have selected what they consider "Future National Treasures" for display in this gallery in 2022.
The Bodhisattva Jizō (detail), Kamakura period, 14th century
The Arts of Buddhism | 8th–16th century
2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art" Room 3
July 20, 2022 (Wed) - August 28, 2022 (Sun)
The beliefs and arts of Buddhism, along with its followers, became more diverse over time. In the Heian period (794–1192), the emperor and court nobility practiced and supported Buddhism. They used their vast wealth to build temples and create images for worship, often in delicate styles reflecting their tastes.
In the Kamakura period (1192–1333), the samurai gained political power, also becoming patrons of Buddhism. They preferred Buddhist art that was clear and dynamic, which led artisans to develop new styles. Many common people also became followers of Buddhism at this time, blending this religion with local beliefs, especially in the Muromachi period (1392–1573).
During these centuries, monks brought new schools of Buddhist thought from China, and developed new schools in Japan based on older teachings. Buddhism also became more integrated with Shinto, the indigenous religion. The paintings, sculptures, ritual tools, and sacred calligraphy on display illustrate this diversity in Buddhism.
The Tale of Matsura no Miya, Kamakura period, 13th century (Important Cultural Property)
The Arts of the Imperial Court | 8th–16th century
2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art" Room 3
July 20, 2022 (Wed) - August 28, 2022 (Sun)
After emulating China for generations, the imperial court began to develop its own cultural identity around the 10th century. This movement was led by the court nobility serving the emperor. The body of work they produced — literature, calligraphy, painting, and elegantly decorated items for daily use — became one of Japan’s cultural foundations.
Even after the samurai gained more political power than the court in the 12th century, the court remained the home of high culture for centuries. The different art forms of the court were closely related, with literature playing a central role. Previously the nobility wrote in Chinese, but the creation of a new writing system (kana) helped Japanese literature to flourish. Both noblemen and noblewomen wrote some of Japan’s most celebrated poetry and stories, including by the court lady Murasaki Shikibu. Scenes from literature were also shown in paintings and on furnishings, which the nobility commissioned for their mansions.
The Queen Mother of the West and the Scholar-Official Dongfang Shuo (detail), Attributed to Kanō Motonobu, Formerly sliding-door paintings at Daisen'in, Daitokuji Temple, Kyoto,Muromachi period, 16th century (Important Cultural Property)
Zen and Ink Painting | 13th–16th century
2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art" Room 3
July 20, 2022 (Wed) - August 28, 2022 (Sun)
Zen Buddhism was introduced from China, and had widespread influence on culture in Japan. Zen does not stress elaborate rituals or the study of sacred texts. Rather, it teaches that meditation and daily tasks, even cooking and cleaning, are the way to spiritual enlightenment. In the 13th century, monks brought Zen to Japan as a complete school of Buddhist thought.
These monks also brought the latest cultural practices from China. One of them was ink painting, which uses expressive lines and delicate gradations to portray nature and people. Ink painting spread beyond Zen temples and became a major artistic tradition in Japan.
Another practice was calligraphy by Zen masters, which was prized for its spiritual and aesthetic value. Along with the painting and calligraphy shown here, Zen Buddhism influenced tea ceremony, garden design, and many other forms of art.
Pail-Shaped Water Jar, Jingdezhen ware, Ming dynasty, 17th century, Gift of Mr. Hirota Matsushige
Tea Ceremony
2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art" Room 4
June 7, 2022 (Tue) - August 28, 2022 (Sun)
Tea drinking and its role in society changed over time. In the 12th century, Zen monks introduced a new kind of tea drinking from China: green tea was ground into a powder and mixed with hot water. Monks drank this tea as a medicine and to stay awake during meditation.
Before long, the samurai also began to drink tea and competed for prizes in blind tasting competitions. In the 14th and 15th centuries, the elite samurai who ruled Japan focused on the aesthetics of tea drinking. They collected valuable Chinese works like paintings and tea bowls, displaying and using them during tea gatherings.
A century later, Sen no Rikyū (1522–91) established the foundations of the tea ceremony. When serving tea, he used valuable Chinese works together with simple utensils. He also stressed humility and the beauty of imperfection. Elite samurai practiced his style and its variations as a social, aesthetic, and spiritual pursuit.
From its origins until the present, the tea ceremony has always incorporated diverse genres of art. Works that tea masters believed had great aesthetic or historical value were carefully passed down through the generations. A selection of these works is shown here and changed regularly to reflect the seasons.
Helmet with a Cliff-Shaped Crest (Ichi no tani) and White Lacing, Azuchi-Momoyama–Edo period, 16th–17th century
Arms and Armor of the Samurai | 12th–19th century
2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art" Rooms 5 & 6
June 7, 2022 (Tue) - August 28, 2022 (Sun)
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.
This gallery focuses on the most prominent symbols of samurai authority: swords, armor, and other military equipment. These had many purposes. Through diverse colors and materials, they showed the tastes of their owners. Differences in shape and construction reflected differences in rank and social standing. Many samurai passed down this equipment as heirlooms, while high–ranking samurai exchanged it as diplomatic gifts. Swords and armor were also donated to Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines in prayer for victory in battle.
West Lake in Spring, High Tide at Qiantang (detail), By Ike no Taiga, Edo period, 18th century (Important Cultural Property)
Paintings on Folding Screens and Sliding Doors | 16th–19th century
2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art" Room 7
August 9, 2022 (Tue) - September 19, 2022 (Mon)
The paintings here were not just for looking at — they served many other purposes, even that of furniture. Sliding doors divided rooms, while folding screens could be placed anywhere to create private spaces, reduce draftiness, or hide items from view. Sometimes artisans decorated the paintings with gold leaf, which reflected light and helped to brighten dim interiors.
A painting could also change the mood of a room. Ink paintings might create a relaxed or meditative atmosphere. Ones with bright colors and gold leaf might evoke an extravagant feel. The subject matter and style of a painting could also reflect the formality of a room, the current season, and the tastes of the owner. This gallery surrounds visitors with large–scale paintings to show how they create different moods.
Mirror with Paulownia and Bamboo Branches, By Ao Ietsugu, Azuchi-Momoyama period, 1588
Decorative Arts | 16th–19th century
2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art" Room 8
June 7, 2022 (Tue) - August 28, 2022 (Sun)
From the late 16th century, changes in society helped artisans to develop the decorative arts. In the Azuchi–Momoyama period (1573–1603), samurai warlords united Japan after more than a century of fighting. The following Edo period (1603–1868) saw economic growth under a new samurai government, with merchants and other people gaining the wealth to buy art.
Potters succeeded in making Japan's first porcelain in the early 17th century. Methods for decorating porcelain and other ceramics then became more diverse, as shown by works with gold, silver, and color enamels. Meanwhile, textiles saw rapid technical advances. The loom was improved to make complex weaves possible, while dyeing became as detailed and expressive as painting.
Items like furniture and dining sets were coated with lacquer and decorated with metal powders, most often gold. Lacquer workers refined this technique, called maki–e, and combined it with new materials for more elaborate designs. Metalworkers also began using a wider variety of base metals and alloys, creating works with greater detail and precision.
Morning View of Uji River, By Mokubei, Edo period, 1824 (Important Cultural Property)
Painting and Calligraphy | 16th–19th century
2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art" Room 8
August 9, 2022 (Tue) - September 19, 2022 (Mon)
A thriving economy, foreign trade, and better education invigorated painting and calligraphy. Previously, ruling classes like the samurai and court nobility were the main patrons of art. But in the Edo period (1603–1868), more people started to benefit from the economy. Successful merchants in particular gained the wealth to support artists and buy their works.
Many painters continued working in traditional styles, while others started looking to outside sources for inspiration. Paintings and painting manuals imported from China were one source. Another was the books and prints that traders brought from Europe, which showed techniques like realistic shading and perspective. As a result, painting in Japan became more diverse in style and subject matter.
Meanwhile, the ancient custom of writing with a brush and ink continued. The literacy rate increased dramatically as schools for different social classes were established, particularly in cities and towns. The publishing industry thrived and more people took up the art of calligraphy.
Kyōgen Costume (Suō) with Umbrellas, Muromachi period, 16th century
Masks and Costumes of Kyōgen Theater
2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art" Room 9
July 5, 2022 (Tue) - August 28, 2022 (Sun)
Kyōgen is classical comedic theater that takes inspiration from daily life in the Muromachi period (1392–1573). Kyōgen plays mimic interactions between humans, gods, and natural phenomena. The actors wear costumes dyed in flamboyant patterns and sometimes don masks with humorous expressions. We invite you to imagine the lively dialogue of the characters through these kyōgen masks and costumes.
Summer Kimono (Katabira) with Cracked Ice, Maple Leaves, and Chinese Characters, Edo period, 18th century
The Art of Fashion | 17th–19th century
2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art" Room 10
July 5, 2022 (Tue) - August 28, 2022 (Sun)
Japan's traditional clothing, kimono, are based on kosode — the outer wear of the Edo period (1603–1868). At first, the court nobility and samurai wore under other clothing. But from about the 15th century, the samurai began using them as daily outer wear. In the 17th century, kosode became the most common clothing for men and women of all classes.
Wealthy women placed orders for custom–made kosode at luxury clothing stores. They often chose the patterns from clothing–design books that were published and widely circulated. Together with these kosode, they wore hairpins and combs to accent their elaborate hairstyles.
In contrast, men wore kosode with understated patterns like stripes or checks.
Their usual fashion accessory was a small case (inrō) and a toggle (netsuke) for securing the case to the sash. This gallery features kosode and accessories, together with prints and paintings (ukiyo–e) showing how people wore them and how fashions changed over time.
"Mild Breeze on a Fine Day" from the Series Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji, By Katsushika Hokusai, Edo period, 19th century
The Art of Ukiyo–e | 17th–19th century
2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art" Room 10
August 2, 2022 (Tue) - August 28, 2022 (Sun)
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 using 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.
2nd floor
Belling the Cat, Susan Wraight, 2001
Netsuke: The Prince Takamado Collection
2nd floor The Prince Takamado Collection Room
June 7, 2022 (Tue) - August 21, 2022 (Sun)
This exhibition displays contemporary netsuke, which was collected by the late Prince Takamado with her Imperial Highness Princess.
One of the Scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Humans (Copy) (detail), By Maeda Tsuranari, Meiji era, 1886 (Gift of Mr. Hadata Kayuki)
New Acquisitions in Fiscal Year 2021
2nd floor Room T1
August 2, 2022 (Tue) - August 28, 2022 (Sun)
This exhibition features 22 select objects that Tokyo National Museum acquired in fiscal year 2021 through donations and purchases.
Family Gallery
Introducing Traditional Techniques of Japanese Art V
2nd floor Room T2
July 20, 2022 (Wed) - August 28, 2022 (Sun)
Tokyo National Museum owns not only artworks but also models and tools that show how these artworks were made. This exhibition introduces the traditional techniques and aesthetics of Japanese art by displaying artworks together with tools and samples that give us insights into the artistic creation process.
1st floor
The Door to Japanese Art
1st floor Room T3
April 1, 2022 (Fri) - March 31, 2023 (Fri)
Welcome to the Tokyo National Museum (TNM)!
Open the door to interactive exhibits and have fun with Japanese art
Japanese Culture Plaza
1st floor Room T4
April 1, 2022 (Fri) - March 31, 2023 (Fri)
Here at the Tokyo National Museum, you can get in touch with Japanese culture through items created and treasured by people long ago, known as “cultural properties.” This exhibition is like a “plaza” where all kinds of people can gather and have fun before and after viewing these cultural properties, thereby experiencing the appeal and joy of Japanese culture.
1st floor Genre Exhibits
Attendants of the Four Heavenly Kings (detail), By Kōen (born 1207), Kamakura period, 1267 (Important Cultural Property)
Sculpture
1st floor Genre Exhibits Room 11
May 10, 2022 (Tue) - August 28, 2022 (Sun)
Japan has three main traditions of sculpture: Buddhist deities, Shinto deities, and portraits of people. Buddhism was introduced to Japan from the Korean Peninsula in the 6th century, together with sculptures of Buddhist deities. These sculptures were made primarily for worship. Making a sculpture was also an “act of spiritual merit” that would help one’s prayers to be answered.
In contrast, Shinto is the indigenous religion of Japan. Since ancient times, people believed that Shinto deities dwell in natural features like mountains and rivers, and rarely depicted them as humanlike sculptures. Even when a Shinto shrine had a sculpture for worship, the priests usually kept it hidden from view out of respect.
Some portrait sculptures were also worshipped, as they showed deified monks or samurai. Others were made to remember the dead and pray for their salvation. This gallery features works mainly from the Heian (794–1192) and Kamakura (1192–1333) periods, when many of Japan’s most admired sculptures were created.
Spouted Sake Server with Flowering Plants, Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th century
Lacquerware
1st floor Genre Exhibits Room 12
August 9, 2022 (Tue) - October 30, 2022 (Sun)
Lacquer is the sap of the lacquer tree, which grows in East and Southeast Asia. Naturally sticky, it can be brushed onto different materials, and hardens into a durable coating that is waterproof and resistant to acids, alkalis, and heat. Because of its versatility and beauty, lacquer has been central to daily life in parts of Asia for over 9,000 years.
In Japan, artisans coated everyday items with lacquer, including furniture, boxes, dining sets, and cosmetic and writing tools. The base material could be wood, pottery, cloth, leather, or paper. To decorate these items, artisans painted designs with a mixture of lacquer and pigment, or used lacquer like a glue to inlay metal and mother-of-pearl.
But the pinnacle of lacquer decoration in Japan is maki-e (sprinkled picture). It consists of painting a design with lacquer, and then sprinkling metal powders onto the sticky lacquer before it hardens. Artisans first used maki-e techniques in the 8th century. As shown in this gallery, they developed them to an extraordinary degree over the centuries.
Hanging Lantern with Plum Trees and Bamboo, Found at Chiba Temple site, Chiba, Muromachi period, 1550, Gift of Mr. Hatano Yūjirō (Important Cultural Property)
Metalwork
1st floor Genre Exhibits Room 13
May 24, 2022 (Tue) - August 21, 2022 (Sun)
This exhibition provides a historical overview of Japanese metalwork from the Heian (794–1192) to the Edo (1603–1868) period. Objects are displayed by category, such as Buddhist ritual implements, mirrors, tea kettles, objects with designs in cloisonné, decorative fittings, and okimono ornaments. Visitors are invited to view the beauty of metals such as gold, silver, copper, and iron, as well as the shapes they were crafted into, and the designs they were freely embellished with.
Blade for a Long Sword (Tachi), By Kanemitsu, Nanbokuchō period, 1359 (Important Cultural Property)
Swords
1st floor Genre Exhibits Room 13
August 2, 2022 (Tue) - October 23, 2022 (Sun)
Room 13 features selected swords and sword–fittings from the Heian to Edo periods, including the Long Sword (Tachi), Named "Fukushima Kanemitsu", By Kanemitsu.
Portable Dining Set with Dragons and Waves, By Aoki Mokubei, Edo period, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Kasagi Tōru, Important Cultural Property)
Ceramics
1st floor Genre Exhibits Room 13
July 20, 2022 (Wed) - October 16, 2022 (Sun)
Early Japanese ceramics were heavily influenced by techniques and processes originating in China and Korea. Over time, a more diverse range of forms and styles came to be embraced in Japan. This increased diversity was driven by economic and political factors, including foreign trade and the changing preferences of disparate social classes.
Throughout Japanese history, people of different social classes—emperors, nobles, samurai, and townspeople like merchants—held political or economic power at different times. Potters responded by creating regionally distinct ceramics that met the needs and tastes of each set of clientele.
This gallery traces the history of Japanese ceramics from around the 12th century onwards, beginning with storage jars for daily use, which highlight the unique colors and textures of local clays. It continues with tea bowls and other utensils for the tea ceremony, a practice that greatly influenced ceramic production. The ceramic traditions of Kyoto are then presented, followed by porcelain made in Arita, and other works from regional kilns.
Cut-Glass (Kiriko) Bowl, By Miyagaki Hidejirō, Exhibited at the Second National Industrial Exhibition, Meiji era, ca. 1881
Tokyo National Museum’s Glassware Collection
Domestic and Imported Works from the 19th Century
1st floor Genre Exhibits Room 14
July 12, 2022 (Tue) - September 4, 2022 (Sun)
This exhibition showcases select glassware from the Tokyo National Museum Collection. Most of these works were created around the time of Japan’s Meiji era (1868–1912) and were acquired early in the Museum’s history.
Map of Japan (Medium Scale): Western Hokkaido, By Inō Tadataka, Edo period, 19th century (Important Cultural Property)
Historical Records
1st floor Genre Exhibits Room 15
July 12, 2022 (Tue) - September 4, 2022 (Sun)
Tokyo National Museum has more than artworks and archeological artifacts. The collection also includes records, which provide valuable insights into history and the cultures of different ethnic groups. This diversity stems from the Museum’s origins as a comprehensive institution in 1872. It was even home to animal, plant, and mineral specimens, although these were moved to the National Museum of Nature and Science in 1925.
The extensive collection of historical records at Tokyo National Museum now includes maps, diagrams, texts, photographs, ink rubbings, and copies of artworks. These items, dating mainly from the 17th to 20th century, shed light on politics, society, culture, transportation, and scenery in Japan. Here we display a selection of these items under different themes throughout the year.
Tray, Hokkaido Ainu, 19th century, Gift of Mr. Tokugawa Yorisada
Daily Tools of the Ainu and Decorative Art Objects of Ryukyu
1st floor Genre Exhibits Room 16
May 31, 2022 (Tue) - August 21, 2022 (Sun)
Stretching from north to south, the Japanese archipelago is home to diverse cultures that have flourished in its rich natural environments. Representing such cultures from northern Japan, this gallery is currently displaying tools that the Ainu people used daily for subsistence activities, such as hunting and fishing.
Representing a southern culture, decorative art objects from the Ryukyu Kingdom—mainly ceramics and textiles—are also on display in this gallery. The Ryukyu Kingdom developed its unique culture through trade with regions in Asia including China, Japan, the Korean Peninsula, and Southeast Asia.
Conservation and Restoration
1st floor Genre Exhibits Room 17
April 1, 2022 (Fri) - March 31, 2023 (Fri)
>> detailed information
Continuous conservation activities are required to effectively care for the objects in the Museum's collection. These activities ensure that works of art can be displayed while also preserving them for future generations. This gallery presents the Museum's conservation activities in three categories: environmental control during display and storage, assessment and analysis of each object’s condition of preservation, and conservation treatments for damaged objects.
The Zen Monk Fenggan (detail), By Kawanabe Kyosai, Meiji era, 19th century
Art of the Modern Era | Late 19th–first half of 20th century
1st floor Genre Exhibits Room 18
July 12, 2022 (Tue) - October 2, 2022 (Sun)
Drastic changes in the late 19th century created new challenges for artists. The samurai government that had strictly regulated contact with the outside world collapsed in a civil war. Japan's new leaders announced the start of the Meiji era (1868–1912), engaging with the world and reforming their nation to be more like “the West” (mainly Europe and the United States).
These leaders soon realized that works produced in Japan were not seen as “fine art” in the West. Artisans often mounted paintings on sliding doors and folding screens, but this practice made them look like furniture to Europeans and Americans. Japan's ceramics, lacquerware, metalwork, and textiles were also labeled as “decorative art” rather than “fine art.”
In response, artistic traditions were changed to meet Western standards. Japan's leaders established schools of fine art, organized national exhibitions, and urged artists to participate in world fairs. They intended to show the world that Japan was a “modern” nation with sophisticated arts and culture. The works on display reflect how Japanese artists met these challenges.
The Creation Process of Bingata
1st floor Genre Exhibits Room 19
April 5, 2022 (Tue) - March 31, 2023 (Fri)
In collaborating with interns from the Graduate School of the Tokyo University of the Arts, the Tokyo National Museum is reproducing artworks to study and reveal the process behind their creation. We hope that, by following each production process, this display allows you to appreciate the beauty of this traditional expertise.