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)

From December 1, 2025 to April 7, 2026, Room 7–10 of the Japanese Gallery (Honkan) will be closed due to maintenance work.

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"

Upcoming

Volume 3 of the Histories of the Founders of the Kegon School

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 12

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
April 12, 2026 (Sun)
Ancient Art | Ca. 11,000 BC–7th century AD

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 1

January 1, 2026 (Thu) -
April 5, 2026 (Sun)
The Arrival of Buddhism | 6th–8th century

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 1

March 17, 2026 (Tue) -
April 5, 2026 (Sun)
Volume 3 of the Histories of the Founders of the Kegon School

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 2

March 17, 2026 (Tue) -
April 5, 2026 (Sun)
The Arts of Buddhism | 8th–16th century

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 3

February 17, 2026 (Tue) -
April 5, 2026 (Sun)
The Arts of the Imperial Court | 8th–16th century

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 3

February 17, 2026 (Tue) -
April 5, 2026 (Sun)
Zen and Ink Painting | 13th–16th century

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 3

February 17, 2026 (Tue) -
April 5, 2026 (Sun)
Tea Ceremony

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 4

February 3, 2026 (Tue) -
April 19, 2026 (Sun)
Arms and Armor of the Samurai | 12th–19th century

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

February 3, 2026 (Tue) -
April 12, 2026 (Sun)

Volume 3 of the Histories of the Founders of the Kegon School
Kamakura period, 13th century (National Treasure, Lent by Kōsanji Temple, Kyoto)

Upcoming

Volume 3 of the Histories of the Founders of the Kegon School

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 12

April 8, 2026 (Wed) - April 12, 2026 (Sun)

From the 1200s onward, many picture scrolls celebrating the accomplishments of famous Buddhist monks were created in Japan. This one illustrates the deeds of Wonhyo (617–685). One of the most renowned scholar-monks in East Asia, he played a critical role in establishing the Flower Garland school of Buddhism in Korea.

Read from right to left, the scroll portrays a story in which Wonhyo performs a ritual centered on the Diamond Samadhi Sutra. According to legend, this sacred writing was brought from the mythical Dragon Palace and, through its spiritual power, healed the queen’s illness. The scroll was passed down through the generations at Kōzanji Temple in Kyoto, which was an important center for the study of the Flower Garland school in Japan.

Japanese Gallery (Honkan)

From December 1, 2025 to April 7, 2026, Room 7–10 of the Japanese Gallery (Honkan) will be closed due to maintenance work.

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"

Volume 3 of the Histories of the Founders of the Kegon School

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

The Arrival of Buddhism | 6th–8th century

Volume 3 of the Histories of the Founders of the Kegon School

The Arts of Buddhism | 8th–16th century

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

Zen and Ink Painting | 13th–16th century

Tea Ceremony

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

2nd floor

The Japanese Emperor's Palanquins

Netsuke: The Prince Takamado Collection

2nd floor

Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Normalization of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea Treasure Trove of Korean Art: A Collaborative Exhibition with the National Museum of Korea

Special Exhibition A Treasure Trove from Ireland: Japanese Picture Scrolls and Books from the Chester Beatty Collection

1st floor

The Door to Japanese Art

Japanese Culture Plaza

Education Space

1st floor: Genre Exhibits

Researching and Conserving Artifacts of Early Japanese Christianity

Sculpture

Lacquerware

Metalwork

Swords

Ceramics

Researching and Conserving Artifacts of Early Japanese Christianity

Historical Records

The Prayers of the Ainu and Decorative Art Objects of Ryukyu

Conservation and Restoration

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

Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Normalization of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea
Treasure Trove of Korean Art: A Collaborative Exhibition with the National Museum of Korea

Special Exhibition
A Treasure Trove from Ireland: Japanese Picture Scrolls and Books
from the Chester Beatty Collection