October 3, 2010 (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.

Highlights of Japanese Art(PDF)

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"

The Dawn of Japanese Art
Prehistory and Protohistory: the Jomon, Yayoi, and Kofun Periods (10000B.C. - A.D. 600)

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 1

May 11, 2010 (Tue) -
November 14, 2010 (Sun)
The Rise of Buddhism: Asuka and Nara Periods (6c-8c)

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 1

August 24, 2010 (Tue) -
October 3, 2010 (Sun)
National Treasure Gallery　Picture Scroll of the Realm of Hungry Ghosts

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 2

August 24, 2010 (Tue) -
October 3, 2010 (Sun)
Buddhist Art: Heian to Muromachi Periods (8c-16c)

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 3

August 24, 2010 (Tue) -
October 3, 2010 (Sun)
Courtly Art: Heian to Muromachi Periods (8c-16c)

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 3

August 24, 2010 (Tue) -
October 3, 2010 (Sun)
Zen and Ink Paintings: Kamakura and Muromachi Periods (12c-16c)

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 3

August 24, 2010 (Tue) -
October 3, 2010 (Sun)
Art of the Tea Ceremony

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 4

August 10, 2010 (Tue) -
October 31, 2010 (Sun)
Attire of the Military Elite: Heian to Edo Periods (12c-19c)

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Rooms 5 & 6

August 31, 2010 (Tue) -
November 28, 2010 (Sun)
Folding Screen and Sliding Door Paintings: Azuchi-Momoyama and Edo Periods (16c-19c)

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 7

September 22, 2010 (Wed) -
October 31, 2010 (Sun)
Interior Furnishings and Daily Utensils: Azuchi-Momoyama and Edo Periods (16c-19c)

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 8

August 3, 2010 (Tue) -
October 24, 2010 (Sun)
Developments in Painting and Calligraphy: Azuchi-Momoyama and Edo Periods (16c-19c)

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 8

September 22, 2010 (Wed) -
October 31, 2010 (Sun)
Thematic Exhibition

Nuihaku Robes: A Japanese Aesthetic of Silk and Gold

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 9

August 31, 2010 (Tue) -
October 24, 2010 (Sun)
Ukiyo-e and Costumes: Edo Period (17c-19c) Edo Period Fashion and Design

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 10

August 31, 2010 (Tue) -
October 24, 2010 (Sun)
Ukiyo-e and Costumes: Edo Period (17c-19c) Ukiyo-e

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 10

September 22, 2010 (Wed) -
October 17, 2010 (Sun)

The Dawn of Japanese Art
Prehistory and Protohistory: the Jomon, Yayoi, and Kofun Periods (10000B.C. - A.D. 600)

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 1

May 11, 2010 (Tue) - November 14, 2010 (Sun)

The Jomon culture began around 12,000 years ago. Earthenware vessels of this age with various motifs and styles are the starting point of "Highlights of Japanese Art." In the Yayoi period (450 B.C.- A.D. 250), pottery with a simplistic yet refined beauty and dotaku bell-shaped bronzes were prominent. Typical objects from the Kofun period (A.D. 250-600), such as haji, sue wares and haniwa figurines, as well as mirrors, arms and armor, saddlery, and accessory, which expresses the essence of metal and glass craftsmanship, are also featured.
Current exhibit includes:
Dotaku (Bell-shaped bronze), Stream design, From Kehi, Toyo'oka-shi, Hyogo, Yayoi period, 2nd - 1st BC (Important Cultural Property)
Jar with Spout at Base and Human-Figure Ornament, From Tokoshinai, Hirosaki-shi, Aomori, Jomon period, 2000-1000BC (Important Cultural Property)
House with Hipped and Gabled Roof , Haniwa (Terracotta Tomb Ornament), From Tobi, Sakurai-shi, Nara, Kofun period, 5th century (Important Cultural Property)
Footed Jar with Narrow Neck, Sue Stoneware, From Kaniana Tomb, Toshi-cho, Toba-shi, Mie, Kofun (Asuka) period, 7th century (Important Cultural Property, Gift of Mr. Kawahara Matsuzo)