Chinese Buddhist Sculpture
1st floor Room 1
April 11, 2017 (Tue) -
April 8, 2018 (Sun)
September 21, 2017 (Thu), Asian Gallery (Toyokan)
The galleries feature art and artifacts from regions including China, Korea, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, India, and Egypt.
1st floor
Standing Mahasthamaprapta, Sui dynasty, 6th century (Important Cultural Property)
Chinese Buddhist Sculpture
1st floor Room 1
April 11, 2017 (Tue) - April 8, 2018 (Sun)
This section mainly features stone or gilt bronze Buddhist statues from about the 6th to the 8th century. The statues on display present the exquisite form of sculptures from the golden era of Buddhist statues in China.
Current exhibit includes:
Standing Mahasthamaprapta, Sui dynasty, 6th century (Important Cultural Property)
Seated Bodhisattva with One Leg Pendent and Four Attendants, Northern Qi dynasty, 6th century
Head of Bodhisattva, Tang dynasty, 8th century, Gif of the Kumazawa Masayuki
Standing Buddha Triad, Eastern Wei dynasty, 6th century (Important Cultural Property)
Ekadasamukha in a Niche, Tang dynasty, 8th century (Important Cultural Property, Gift of Mr. Hosokawa Moritatsu)
2nd floor
Large Dry Lacquer Vessel, Attributed provenance: Hui County, Henan Province, China, Warring States period, 5th–3rd century BC (Important Art Object, Lent by the OKURA MUSEUM OF ART, Tokyo)
Large Dry Lacquer Vessel
2nd floor Room 2
April 11, 2017 (Tue) - April 8, 2018 (Sun)
Large Dry Lacquer Vessel, Attributed provenance: Hui County, Henan Province, China, Warring States period, 5th-3rd century BC (Important Art Object, Lent by the OKURA MUSEUM OF ART, Tokyo)
Book of the Dead (dateil), Excavated at Memphis, Egypt, New Kingdom, ca. 1550–1069 BC (Gift of the University of Pennsylvania)
Artifacts from West Asia and Egypt
2nd floor Room 3
July 19, 2017 (Wed) - October 22, 2017 (Sun)
This part intrduces artifacts from West Asia and Egypt, known as the cradle of the earliest civilization.
Current exhibit includes:
Shabti, End of the New Kingdom, ca. 12th century BC–Third Intermediate Period, ca. 7th century BC (Gift of Mr. Kubota Beisen)
Eye of Wadjet, Excavated in Egypt, Late period, ca. 664–332 BC (Gift of Mr. Momose Osamu and Mrs. Momose Fumiko)
Book of the Dead, Excavated at Memphis, Egypt, New Kingdom, ca. 1550–1069 BC (Gift of the University of Pennsylvania)
Mummy Shroud of Padiinher, Excavated in lower Egypt, Roman period, ca. 1st century
Copper Foundation Peg with a God's Figurine, Excavated in southern Iraq, Sumerian Early Dynastic period, 25th–24th century BC
Nude Woman, Excavated in Nippur, Iraq, Old Babylonian period, 18th–16th century BC (Gift of the Iraqi government)
Animal–shaped Rhyton, Iron Age, first half of 1st millennium BC (Gift of Mr. Yamauchi Nobukazu)
Mummy of Pasherienptah, Excavated at Thebes, Egypt, 22nd dynasty, ca. 945–730 BC (Gift of Egyptian Department of Antiquities)
Statue of Lion–headed Goddess Sakhmet, Excavated at Thebes, Egypt, New Kingdom, 18th dynasty, 16th–14th century BC
Seated Buddha, Kushan dynasty, 2nd–3rd century
Sculptures from India and Gandhara
2nd floor Room 3
June 27, 2017 (Tue) - June 24, 2018 (Sun)
This part mainly features Buddhist statues from Gandhara (northwestern Pakistan) and Mathura (northern, central India) from the 2nd to the 5th century. The wide variety of sculptures on display is a notable feature.
Current exhibit includes:
Seated Buddha, Kushan dynasty, 2nd–3rd century
Worshipping of the Bowl and Cross-legged Bodhisattvas, 3rd–4th century (Gift of Ms. Yano Tsuruko)
Preaching Buddha, Kushan dynasty, 3rd century
Seated Bodhisattva, Pala dynasty, 9th–10th century
Jivajiva (Legendary bird), Yotkan, China, Otani collection, 5th century
Art of the Western Regions
2nd floor Room 3
August 22, 2017 (Tue) - October 15, 2017 (Sun)
This part introduces art of the Western Regions (Central Asia) from about the 1st to the 10th century, with a focus on Buddhist art. The highlight of this part is the rich variety of works with high artistic and historical significance.
Current exhibit includes:
Container for Sarira (Buddhist relics), Reportedly from Subashi, China, Otani collection, 6th–7th century
Semi-circular Decorative Element, Xi'an, China, Otani collection, Tang dynasty-Five Dynasties period, 9th–10th century
Jivajiva (Legendary bird), Yotkan, China, Otani collection, 5th century
Banner with Standing Bodhisattva, Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, China, Pelliot collection, Tang dynasty, 9th century (Acquired through exchange with Musee Guimet)
Banner with Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, China, Pelliot collection, Tang dynasty, 9th century (Acquired through exchange with Musee Guimet)
Banner with Two Standing Bodhisattvas, Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, ChinaPelliot collection, Five Dynasties period-Northern Song dynasty, 10th century (Acquired through exchange with Musee Guimet)
Figures under Tree, Astana Karakhoja Tombs, China, Tang dynasty, 8th century (Important Cultural Property)
3rd floor
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Chinese Ceramics
3rd floor Room 5
September 5, 2017 (Tue) -
February 4, 2018 (Sun)
Jar, Paste glass decoration, Purportedly excavated at Shouxian, Lu’an, Anhui province, China, Spring and Autumn-Warring States period, 6th-4th century BC
The Advent of Chinese Civilization
3rd floor Room 4
September 12, 2017 (Tue) - February 12, 2018 (Mon)
This section focuses on pottery and jade objects from about 3000 BC to AD 200. The items on display present the beauty that ancient Chinese people pursued in the form and color of pottery, as well as the characteristic luster of jade.
Current exhibit includes:
Clay Stamped SealInscribed "True Seal of the Emperor", Qin-Western Han dynasty, 3rd-2nd century BC (Gift of Mr. Abe Fusajiro)
SealInscribed “Seal of the Aristocrat”, Eastern Jin dynasty, 4th-5th century
Jade Axe, Neolithic period, 3rd millennium BC
Jar, Paste glass decoration, Purportedly excavated at Shouxian, Lu’an, Anhui province, China, Spring and Autumn-Warring States period, 6th-4th century BC
Bronze Jar, Attributed provenance: Sichuan Province, China, Eastern Han dynasty, 1st–3rd century
Chinese Bronzes
3rd floor Room 5
September 5, 2017 (Tue) - February 4, 2018 (Sun)
This part focuses on Chinese bronzes from about 1800 BC to AD 1000. The changing shapes and designs of the bronzes on display provide clues to the thoughts and shifting religious beliefs of ancient Chinese.
Current exhibit includes:
Bronze Jar, Attributed provenance: Sichuan Province, China, Eastern Han dynasty, 1st–3rd century
Money Tree, Excavated in Sichuan province or its vicinity, China, Eastern Han dynasty, 1st–2nd century
Woman, With pigment, China, Western Han dynasty, 2nd century BC (Gift of Mr. Hirota Matsushige)
Burials in China
3rd floor Room 5
September 5, 2017 (Tue) - February 4, 2018 (Sun)
This part introduces burial items of tombs from about the 2nd century BC to the 8th century AD. Mingqi are models of various implements and equipment, such as cooking stoves, vehicles including carriages and oxcarts, and even toilets. Tomb figures are models of humans who served a master, such as servants and entertainers. The objects on display present the idealized lifestyle that people of this time entrusted to mingqi and tomb figures.
Current exhibit includes:
Brick, With sheep head, Attributed provenance: area around Xingyang county, Henan province, China, Western Han–Eastern Han dynasty, 1st century BC–2nd century AD
Camel, With pigment, China, Tang dynasty, 7th–8th century (Lent by the OKURA MUSEUM OF ART, Tokyo)
Woman, With pigment, China, Western Han dynasty, 2nd century BC (Gift of Mr. Hirota Matsushige)
Female Dancer, With pigment, China, Tang dynasty, 7th–8th century (Gift of Mr. Hirota Matsushige)
CamelThree-color glaze, China, Tang dynasty, 7th–8th century
Tang Sancai: Three-color Glazed Wares of Tang Dynasty
3rd floor Room 5
September 5, 2017 (Tue) - February 4, 2018 (Sun)
Pottery with three-color glazes that was made for the elaborate burials of the Tang dynasty (618-907) is now admired for its beautiful colors and forms. Sometimes hundreds of individual pieces, with vivid, multi-colored glazes and shapes based on human figures and animals, were buried in a single tomb.
Bowl with Foliate Rim, Celadon glaze, Guan ware, China, Southern Song dynasty, 12th–13th century, Important Cultural Property (Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Chinese Ceramics
3rd floor Room 5
September 5, 2017 (Tue) - February 4, 2018 (Sun)
This part presents the changing expressions of Chinese ceramics from the 7th to the 19th century.
Current exhibit includes:
Dish, Celadon glaze, Ru ware, China, Formerly owned by Kawabata Yasunari, Northern Song dynasty, 11th–12th century (Gift of Mr. Katori Kuniomi and Mrs. Katori Yoshiko)
Bowl with Foliate Rim, Celadon glaze, Guan ware, China, Southern Song dynasty, 12th–13th century, Important Cultural Property (Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Water Dropper, Flowering plant design in overglaze enamel and gold, Jingdezhen ware, ChinaFormerly preserved by the Sakai clan of Wakasa province, Ming dynasty, 16th century (Gift of Mr. Hirota Matsushige)
Monk's RobeGold arabesque stencil on purple ground; flowering plant design in kesi weave, Said to have been used by Shun'oku Myoha, China, Yuan-Ming dynasty, 14th century (Important Cultural Property)
Chinese Textiles: Kesi
3rd floor Room 5
July 4, 2017 (Tue) - September 24, 2017 (Sun)
The Chinese tapestry weaving technique called kesi saw rapid advancements from the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127). In the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368), kesi textiles with vibrant colors combined traditional patterns of auspicious beasts with everyday birds and animals. From the Ming (1368–1644) to the Qing (1644–1912) dynasty, kesi garments for the imperial court were considered superior to all others. This exhibit traces the history of the techniques and designs of kesi textiles.
Current exhibit includes:
Monk's RobeGold arabesque stencil on purple ground; flowering plant design in kesi weave, Said to have been used by Shun'oku Myoha, China, Yuan-Ming dynasty, 14th century (Important Cultural Property)
Kesi, FragmentPeony, dragon, phoenix, flower, bird, and deer design on red ground, China, Yuan dynasty, 13th–14th century
4th floor
Stone Bas-relief, Procession of chariots / Building for ancestral rituals, From Xiaotangshan, Shandong province, China, Eastern Han dynasty, 1st–2nd century
Stone Relief Carvings of China
4th floor Room 7
April 11, 2017 (Tue) - April 8, 2018 (Sun)
In the 2nd century BC, Chinese tombs were not simply holes in the ground. They developed to have walls and ceilings, with a structure almost like underground mansions. Tombs also appeared that had shrines built above ground for the bereaved families to perform rituals. Particularly in Shandong province and southern Henan province, sturdy stone was favored for making the tombs and shrines, with the stone surfaces used for carving images. Many of these stone bas-reliefs were created until the second half of the 2nd century in the Eastern Han dynasty.
Current exhibit includes:
Stone Bas-relief, Procession of chariots / Building for ancestral rituals, From Xiaotangshan, Shandong province, China, Eastern Han dynasty, 1st–2nd century
Stone Bas-relief, Toad / Emperor Yu, etc., From Xiaotangshan, Shandong province, China, Eastern Han dynasty, 1st–2nd century
Stone Bas-relief, Building / Tinglan and the wooden doll, etc., From Xiaotangshan, Shandong province, China, Eastern Han dynasty, 1st–2nd century
Shouxing (God of longevity)(detail), China, Yuan dynasty, 14th century (Important Art Object)
Chinese Painting: Mysterious Saints: Sages and Arhats
4th floor Room 8
September 5, 2017 (Tue) - October 15, 2017 (Sun)
Sages in Taoism and arhats in Buddhism have been regarded as saints in their respective religions. In paintings, sages, with their mastery of everlasting youth and life, and arhats, having reached enlightenment, were portrayed with strange countenances when compared to ordinary human beings. This represented their mysterious, secret powers. They were also depicted traveling across waves, or being accompanied by toads, deer, and other mystical beasts, and taming wild beasts such as dragons and tigers. This exhibition features the mysterious worlds of these saints.
Current exhibit includes:
Sahasrabhuja, China, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century (Important Cultural Property, Lent by Eihoji, Gifu)
Sixteen Arhats: The Eleventh Arhat, By Jin Dashou (dates unknown), China, Southern Song dynasty, 12th century (Important Cultural Property)
Shouxing (God of longevity), China, Yuan dynasty, 14th century (Important Art Object)
Heavenly God, China, Yuan dynasty, 14th century (Important Cultural Property, Lent by Reiunji, Tokyo)
Writing after Zhang Qian bei and Shi men song Stele Inscriptions, By He Shaoji, China, Qing dynasty, dated 1862
Calligraphy of the Stele School: Harmony of Epigraphy
4th floor Room 8
August 22, 2017 (Tue) - October 15, 2017 (Sun)
After the Qianlong and Jiaqing eras (1736?1820) of the Qing dynasty, the mainstream of calligraphic study shifted from the traditional copybooks to steles, with scholars focusing on ancient inscriptions on bronzes and stone monuments. The calligraphers of the Stele school expanded their fields of study to encompass older works, such as the seal and clerical scripts preceding the Qin and Han dynasties, as well as the regular scripts of the Tang and Northern dynasties. They developed novel calligraphic styles, instead of being confined to the conventional styles deriving from Wang Xizhi.
Current exhibit includes:
Writing after Zhang Qian bei and Shi men song Stele Inscriptions, By He Shaoji, China, Qing dynasty, dated 1862
The Yi Ying bei Stele, Stele: China, Eastern Han dynasty, dated 153 (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
Quatrain in Five-character Phrases in Running Script, By Deng Shiru, China, Qing dynasty, 18th–19th century (Private collection)
Poem in Clerical Script, By Chen Hongshou, China, Qing dynasty, dated 1804 (Gift of Mr. Aoyama San'u)
Writing after Zhang Hua's Poems in Clerical Script, By Wu Xizai, China, Qing dynasty, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Aoyama San'u)
Couplet in Five-character Phrases in Standard Script, By Zhao Zhiqian, China, Qing dynasty, 19th century (Private collection)
Brush Pot, Dragon and figure design in carving, China, Qing dynasty, 17th–18th century (Gift of Mr. Hirota Matsushige)
Chinese Literati
4th floor Room 8
August 22, 2017 (Tue) - October 15, 2017 (Sun)
The literati were people who devoted themselves to reading, calligraphy, painting, and other fine arts. In China, their way of life was traditionally held as an ideal. This exhibit recreates the studies of literati, where calligraphy and painting of China were born.
Current exhibit includes:
Inkstone, Butterfly wing shape, Formerly owned by Ji Yun, China, Qing dynasty, 18th century (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
Brush Pot, Dragon and figure design in carving, China, Qing dynasty, 17th–18th century (Gift of Mr. Hirota Matsushige)
Three Characters for Plaque in Clerical Script, By Zhao Zhiqian, China, Qing dynasty, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
5th floor
Hexagonal Tray, Design of bamboo, plum tree, and pine forming the character for "longevity" in carved colored lacquer, Ming dynasty, Jiajing era (1522–66)
Chinese Lacquerware
5th floor Room 9
July 25, 2017 (Tue) - October 29, 2017 (Sun)
This part introduces the various methods and designs in Chinese lacquerware. Lacquerware is a form of decorative art made by applying lacquer sap on vessels and utensils, a practice which developed widely in China, Japan, Korea, and the Southeast Asian regions, in techniques and designs unique to each area. China, in particular, has a history of lacquerware of as long as 7000 years.
Current exhibit includes:
Rectangular Tray, Flowering plant design in carved black lacquer, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century
Hexagonal Tray, Design of bamboo, plum tree, and pine forming the character for "longevity" in carved colored lacquer, Ming dynasty, Jiajing era (1522–66)
Covered Box, Chinese character "Spring" with auspicious motifs designs in carved colored lacquer, Qing dynasty, 18th century
You Wine Container, Taotie design, Qing dynasty, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Kamiya Denbei)
Decorative Art of the Qing Dynasty
5th floor Room 9
July 25, 2017 (Tue) - October 29, 2017 (Sun)
This part introduces the decorative art of the Qing dynasty (1644 - 1912) in China, such as works of jade, cloisonne, glass, and bamboo. The items on display feature the beauty of fine technical skill and the sophisticated atmosphere of Qing-dynasty decorative art.
Current exhibit includes:
You Wine Container, Taotie design, Qing dynasty, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Kamiya Denbei)
Pomegranate, Qing dynasty, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Kamiya Denbei)
Bronze Halberd, Attributed provenance: Ipsil-ri, Gyeongju, Korea, Proto-Three Kingdoms period, 1st century BC (Important Art Object, Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Polished Stone Tools and Metal Tools of Korea
5th floor Room 10
April 25, 2017 (Tue) - October 15, 2017 (Sun)
This part highlights Korean polished stone tools and metal objects that had a great influence on Japan's Yayoi culture.
Current exhibit includes:
Crown, Attributed provenance: Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea, Three Kingdoms period (Gaya), 5th-6th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Polished Stone Sickle, Excavated at Buyeo, Korea, Bronze Age, 10th–4th century BC (Gift of Mr. Sakenobu Kyokusho)
Bronze Dagger, Excavated at Ochon-ri, Pyongyang, Korea Early Iron Age, 2nd century BC
Bronze Halberd, Attributed provenance: Ipsil-ri, Gyeongju, Korea, Proto-Three Kingdoms period, 1st century BC (Important Art Object, Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Brick, With design of rabbit preparing medicine, Nangnang (Lelang), 2nd–3rd century
Bronze Ornamental Fitting With animals, Attributed provenance: Gyeongju, Korea, Early Iron Age-Proto Three Kingdoms period, 3rd–1st century BC (Important Art Object, Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Incense Burner, Green glaze, Attributed provenance: Nangnang (Lelang) tomb, Korea, Nangnang (Lelang), 1st–3rd century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Stone coffin for Jang Chungui, Goryeo dynasty, 12th century
Sword with Ring-shaped Pommel, With inscription (detail), Three Kingdoms period, 5th century
The Rises and Falls of Kings in Korea
5th floor Room 10
April 25, 2017 (Tue) - October 15, 2017 (Sun)
This part features the prosperity of kings in the Three Kingdoms period (4th century - 676) in Korea, through works including items of metalwork. The diverse designs of the objects are evidence of the prosperity of the kings.
Current exhibit includes:
Sword with Ring-shaped Pommel, With inscription, Three Kingdoms period, 5th century
Earring, Three Kingdoms period (Silla), 6th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Headgear, With design in openwork, Attributed provenance: Changnyeong, Korea, Three Kingdoms period, 6th century (Important Cultural Property, Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Visored Helmet, Attributed provenance: Yeonsan-dong, Dongnae, Korea, Three Kingdoms period, 5th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Stand for Horn-shaped Cups, Three Kingdoms period (Silla), 5th-6th century (Important Art Object, Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Korean Ceramics
5th floor Room 10
April 25, 2017 (Tue) - October 15, 2017 (Sun)
This part introduces Korean ceramics from the Proto-Three Kingdoms period (1st century BC - 3rd century AD) to the Joseon dynasty(1392-1910).
Current exhibit includes:
Horn-shaped Cup, Three Kingdoms period (Silla), 5th–6th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Stand for Horn-shaped Cups, Three Kingdoms period (Silla), 5th-6th century (Important Art Object, Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Vase, Celadon glaze with plum tree, bamboo, reed, willow, and waterfowl design in inlay, Goryeo dynasty, 12th–13th century
Vase, Buncheong ware with fish design in underglaze iron, Attributed provenance: Hakbong-ri, Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea, Joseon dynasty, 15th–16th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Bowl, White porcelain, Goryeo dynasty, 11th century (Gift of Mr. Kudo Yoshiro)
Dish, White porcelain, Joseon dynasty, 15th–16th century (Private collection)
Jar, Cloud and dragon design in underglaze iron pigment, Joseon dynasty, 17th century (Gift of Ms. Shimizu Nobuko)
Jar, Crane and tortoise design in underglaze blue, Joseon dynasty, 19th century (Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Equestrian Figurine, Three Kingdoms period (Silla), 5th-6th century (Important Art Object, Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Horse-shaped Vessel, Attributed provenance: Changnyeong, Korea Three Kingdoms period (Silla), 5th century (Important Art Object, Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Bowl with Brush Marks Mujihakeme type; known as "Fuito", Joseon dynasty, 16th century (Gift of Mr. Tsukagoshi Masaaki)
Tea Bowl, Goki type, Joseon dynasty, 16th–17th century (Gift of Mr. Momose Osamu and Mrs. Momose Fumiko)
Ridge-end Tile, Demon face design, Excavated at former site of Sacheonwangsa temple, Gyeongju, Korea, Unified Silla dynasty, 7th-8th century
Buddhist Art of Korea
5th floor Room 10
May 16, 2017 (Tue) - November 5, 2017 (Sun)
This part features the essence of Korean Buddhist art.
Current exhibit includes:
Round Eave Tile, Spoke and lotus flower design, Probably excavated from Pyeongyang, Korea, Three Kingdoms period (Goguryeo), 4th–5th century
Round Eave Tile, Lotus flower design, Excavated at former site of Gunsu-ri temple, Buyeo, Korea, Three Kingdoms period (Baekje), 6th century
Ridge-end Tile, Demon face design, Excavated at former site of Sacheonwangsa temple, Gyeongju, Korea, Unified Silla dynasty, 7th–8th century
Ridge-end Tile, Demon face design; with green glaze, Excavated from Wolsong, Gyeongju, Korea, Unified Silla dynasty, 7th–8th century
Standing Vairocana, Unified Silla–Goryeo dynasty, 9th–10th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Seated Bodhisattva with One Leg Pendent, Three Kingdoms period, 7th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Buddhist Temple Bell, With inscription of year, Goryeo dynasty, dated 1107 (Important Cultural Property, Lent by Nishiaraidaishi Sojiji, Tokyo)
Solitary Angler (detail), Attributed to Gang Huimaeng, Korea, Joseon dynasty, 15th–16th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Art of the Joseon Dynasty
5th floor Room 10
July 4, 2017 (Tue) - September 24, 2017 (Sun)
This part features furnishings, costumes, and accessories from Korea in the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910). While the costumes, furniture, tableware, and stationery each possessed individual beauty, their appeal was enhanced by their placement in living spaces.
Current exhibit includes:
Amitabha Triad, Korea, Goryeo dynasty, 13th–14th century (On exhibit through August 6, 2017)
Solitary Angle, Attributed to Gang Huimaeng, Korea, Joseon dynasty, 15th–16th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation, On exhibit from August 8, 2017)
Inkstone, Figures design in underglaze blue, Korea, Joseon dynasty, 19th century
Brush Stand, Lotus arabesque in openwork with designs in underglaze blue and red, Korea, 19th–20th century
Basement
Lintel (detail), Angkor period, 10th century (Acquired through exchange with l'École française d'Extrême-Orient)
Khmer Sculpture
Basement Room 11
May 9, 2017 (Tue) - May 6, 2018 (Sun)
This section introduces sculptures from Khmer, with a focus on stone statues from the Angkor period (9th-13th century). The Tokyo National Museum collection of Khmer sculptures, which are distinguished in both quality and quantity, was acquired in 1944 through an exchange project with the research institute l'École francaise d'Extrême-Orient.
Current exhibit includes:
Garuda Riding on Naga (Snake deity), Angkor period, 12th–13th century (Acquired through exchange with l'École française d'Extrême-Orient)
Standing Vishnu, Angkor period, 12th century (Acquired through exchange with l'École française d'Extrême-Orient)
Buddha Seated on Naga (Snake deity), Angkor period, 12th century (Acquired through exchange with l'École française d'Extrême-Orient)
Standing Lokesvara, Angkor period, 12th–13th century (Acquired through exchange with l'École française d'Extrême-Orient)
Lintel, Angkor period, 10th century (Acquired through exchange with l'École française d'Extrême-Orient)
Seated Usnisavijaya, China, Qing dynasty, 17th–18th century
Tibetan Esoteric Buddhism and Its Sculpture
Basement Room 12
September 5, 2017 (Tue) - October 15, 2017 (Sun)
The Tokyo National Museum collection includes Tibetan Buddhist sculptures as well as numerous related objects created around Beijing in the Qing dynasty. From among these, the most distinctive artworks have been selected for this Thematic Exhibition in order to explore the rich world of Tibetan Buddhism and its influences.
Current exhibit includes:
Seated Sarvanivaranaviskambhi (One of the Eight Great Bodhisattvas), China, Qing dynasty, 18th century
Seated Usnisavijaya, China, Qing dynasty, 17th–18th century
Standing Cakrasamvara with Consort,15th–16th century (Gift of Mr. Hattori Shichibei)
Standing Mahakala with Six Arms, China, Qing dynasty, 17th–18th century
Seated Yellow Jambhala, China, Qing dynasty, 17th-18th century
Standing Vajrabhairava with Consort, China, Qing dynasty, 17th–18th century, Gift of Ms. Azuma Fusako
Human-shaped Object, Attributed provenance: Uttar Pradesh, India, Copper Hoard culture, ca. 1500 BC
Archaeology of India and Southeast Asia
Basement Room 12
April 11, 2017 (Tue) - April 8, 2018 (Sun)
The excavated pottery and metal wares exhibited in this part clearly show the prosperity of cultures with rich regional characteristics in ancient India and Southeast Asia.
Current exhibit includes:
Human-shaped Object, Attributed provenance: Uttar Pradesh, India, Copper Hoard culture, ca. 1500 BC
Ladle with Bird Ornament, Excavated in northeastern Thailand, ca. 3rd century BC–2nd century AD
Vessel in Shape of Bucket, Excavated in Vietnam or Southern China, Nanyue dynasty, 2nd century BC
Bronze Drum, Attributed provenance: northern Thailand, 6th–5th century BC (Lent by Idemitsu Museum of Arts)
Bronze Drum, Northern Thailand, 15th–17th century (Gift of Prince Damrong, Thailand)
Large Dish, Deer and landscape design in underglaze blue, 15th–16th century (Important Art Object)
Southeast Asian Ceramics
Basement Room 12
May 9, 2017 (Tue) - May 6, 2018 (Sun)
This part introduces the individual styles of ceramics made in Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam from the 9th to the 16th century.
Current exhibit includes:
Fragment of Roof Tile, Ash glaze, Excavated from Wat Atvea, Angkor period, 11th–13th century (Acquired through exchange with l'École française d'Extrême-Orient)
Vase, Dark brown glaze with incised design, Excavated at Angkor, Angkor period, 12th–13th century (Acquired through exchange with l'École française d'Extrême-Orient)
Elephant-shaped Vessel, Dark brown glaze, Angkor period, 12th–13th century
Shallow Bowl, Celadon glaze, Northern Thailand, 15th century (Gift of Mr. Yoshioka Ken)
Shallow Bowl with Pointed Foliate Rim, Celadon glaze with lotus flower design, Si Satchanalai ware, Thailand, 15th century (Gift of Mr. Yamada Yoshio)
Bowl, Celadon glaze with fish and flowering plant design in underglaze iron pigment, Si Satchanalai ware, Thailand, 15th–16th century (Gift of Mr. Yamada Yoshio)
Bowl, Arabesque design in overglaze enamel, 16th century (Important Art Object)
Water Ewer in Shape of a Kundika, Arabesque design in underglaze blue, 15th–16th century (Private collection)
Large Dish, Deer and landscape design in underglaze blue, 15th–16th century (Important Art Object)
Large Dish Water buffalo design in overglaze enamel, 16th century
Hinggi kombu (Shoulder garment), Warp ikat; skull tree and animal design, Sumba, Indonesia, 19th century
Asian Textiles: Indonesian Textiles
Basement Room 13
July 4, 2017 (Tue) - September 24, 2017 (Sun)
From about the end of the 18th century, unique dyes and techniques for dyeing cotton with designs were used to begin the production of batik cloth. To make batik, a detailed design is applied in wax using either a metal stamp known as a cap, or a tool called a canting that pours the wax. The cotton is then dyed with indigo and a vegetable-based, dark brown soga dye.
Current exhibit includes:
Dodot (Formal waist garment), Batik dyeing; garuda design on brown ground, Central Java, Indonesia, 19th century
Hinggi kombu (Shoulder garment), Warp ikat; skull tree and animal design, Sumba, Indonesia, 19th century
Selendang (Shoulder garment), Weaving with weft float pattern; stipe and geometric pattern design on madder red ground, Pasemah, Sumatra, Indonesia, Second half of 19th century–start of 20th century
Maha Lakshmi (detail), By Jaipur school, India, First half of 19th century
Indian Miniature Paintings
Basement Room 13
September 5, 2017 (Tue) - October 1, 2017 (Sun)
Indian miniature paintings established a uniquely meticulous, colorful, and passionate style, with various painting schools. An appeal of the paintings to viewers is the abundance of elements vividly contained inside each picture, such as myths, music, and nature.
Current exhibit includes:
Fish Incarnation of Vishnu (Matsya Avatara), By Bikaner school, India, First half of 18th century
Maha Lakshmi, By Jaipur school, India, First half of 19th century
Mask, Attributed to New Ireland, Melanesia, Late 19th century (Gift of Mr. Yoshijima Tokiyasu)
Prayer in Asia
Basement Room 13
September 5, 2017 (Tue) - October 15, 2017 (Sun)
Asian art includes auspicious designs thought to prevent calamity and bring good health and riches, as well as objects reflective of folk beliefs and other superstitions. This exhibition will include objects rarely shown at the Museum.