September 26, 2023 (Tue), 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"

Ancient Art | Ca. 11,000 BC–7th century AD

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 1

July 4, 2023 (Tue) -
December 3, 2023 (Sun)
The Arrival of Buddhism | 6th–8th century

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 1

September 20, 2023 (Wed) -
October 29, 2023 (Sun)
"The Parable of the Burning House" Chapter of the Lotus Sutra (From Kunōji Temple)

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 2

August 29, 2023 (Tue) -
October 1, 2023 (Sun)
The Arts of Buddhism | 8th–16th century

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 3

September 20, 2023 (Wed) -
October 29, 2023 (Sun)
The Arts of the Imperial Court | 8th–16th century

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 3

September 20, 2023 (Wed) -
October 29, 2023 (Sun)
Zen and Ink Painting | 13th–16th century

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 3

September 20, 2023 (Wed) -
October 29, 2023 (Sun)
Thematic Exhibition

Buddhist Paintings with Yamato-e Landscapes

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 3

September 20, 2023 (Wed) -
December 3, 2023 (Sun)
Tea Ceremony

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 4

August 8, 2023 (Tue) -
October 29, 2023 (Sun)
Arms and Armor of the Samurai | 12th–19th century

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

August 1, 2023 (Tue) -
October 22, 2023 (Sun)
Thematic Exhibition

Yamato-e Painting from the 16th–19th Centuries The Tradition of Imperial Aesthetics

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 7, Room 8 and Room T2

September 5, 2023 (Tue) -
December 3, 2023 (Sun)
Decorative Arts | 16th–19th century

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 8

August 1, 2023 (Tue) -
October 22, 2023 (Sun)
Noh Costume (Nuihaku): Japanese Aesthetics in Embroidery and Gold Leaf

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 9

August 8, 2023 (Tue) -
October 1, 2023 (Sun)
The Art of Fashion | 17th–19th century

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 10

August 8, 2023 (Tue) -
October 1, 2023 (Sun)
The Art of Ukiyo–e | 17th–19th century

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 10

August 29, 2023 (Tue) -
October 1, 2023 (Sun)

Heart-Shaped Horse Ornament, Found at the Kaibōzuka Tumulus, Osaka, Kofun period, 6th century

Ancient Art | Ca. 11,000 BC–7th century AD

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 1

July 4, 2023 (Tue) - December 3, 2023 (Sun)

Japan has some of the earliest pottery in the world, dating back about 13,000 years. It was created by the people of the Jōmon period (ca. 11,000–400 BC). These people built permanent settlements and relied on hunting, fishing, and gathering.

At the height of their culture, they made pottery with richly sculpted forms and figurines with distinctive shapes.

In the Yayoi period (ca. 4th century BC–first half of 3rd century AD), people from Northeast Asia (now China and Korea) immigrated to Japan. They brought knowledge of how to farm rice and make objects with bronze and iron. More food became available and people started making tools, weapons, and ritual objects with metal.

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.

September 26, 2023 (Tue), Japanese Gallery (Honkan)

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"

Ancient Art | Ca. 11,000 BC–7th century AD

The Arrival of Buddhism | 6th–8th century

"The Parable of the Burning House" Chapter of the Lotus Sutra (From Kunōji Temple)

The Arts of Buddhism | 8th–16th century

The Arts of the Imperial Court | 8th–16th century

Zen and Ink Painting | 13th–16th century

Buddhist Paintings with Yamato-e Landscapes

Tea Ceremony

Arms and Armor of the Samurai | 12th–19th century

Yamato-e Painting from the 16th–19th Centuries The Tradition of Imperial Aesthetics

Decorative Arts | 16th–19th century

Noh Costume (Nuihaku): Japanese Aesthetics in Embroidery and Gold Leaf

The Art of Fashion | 17th–19th century

The Art of Ukiyo–e | 17th–19th century

2nd floor

Imperial Palanquin (Hōren)

Netsuke: The Prince Takamado Collection

2nd floor

Admiring the Legendary Mad Monks: Paintings of Hanshan and Shide from the Museum Collection

1st floor

Japanese Culture Plaza

1st floor: Genre Exhibits

Sculpture

Lacquerware

Metalwork

Swords

Ceramics

The First Japanese Expedition to Tibet:What the Monk Kawaguchi Ekai Witnessed

Historical Records

Daily Tools of the Ainu and Decorative Art Objects of Ryukyu

Conservation and Restoration

Art of the Modern Era | Late 19th–first half of 20th century

Education Space

Education Space

1st floor: Special Exhibition

Celebrating the Completion of Conservation Work on Jōruriji Temple’s Amida Statues: Buddhist Sculptures from Minami Yamashiro in Kyoto

The First Japanese Expedition to Tibet:
What the Monk Kawaguchi Ekai Witnessed

Celebrating the Completion of Conservation Work on Jōruriji Temple’s Amida Statues:
Buddhist Sculptures from Minami Yamashiro in Kyoto