Chinese Buddhist Sculpture
1st floor Room 1
April 9, 2019 (Tue) -
April 12, 2020 (Sun)
August 21, 2019 (Wed), Asian Gallery (Toyokan)
The galleries feature art and artifacts from regions including China, Korea, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, India, and Egypt.
1st floor
Standing Avalokitesvara, China, Northern Wei dynasty, dated 524
Chinese Buddhist Sculpture
1st floor Room 1
April 9, 2019 (Tue) - April 12, 2020 (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.
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 2, 2019 (Tue) - March 15, 2020 (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)
Foundation Peg with a God Figure (detail), Excavated in southern Iraq, Sumerian Early Dynastic period, ca. 2400 BC
Artifacts from West Asia and Egypt
2nd floor Room 3
July 2, 2019 (Tue) - September 8, 2019 (Sun)
This part intrduces artifacts from West Asia and Egypt, known as the cradle of the earliest civilization.
Current exhibit includes:
Fragment of a Relief, Excavated in Tell el-Amarna, Egypt, New Kingdom (18th dynasty; the reign of Akhenaten), ca. 1351–1334 BC (Gift of the University of Pennsylvania)
Fragments of a Woman's Headdress, Possibly found at Thebes, Egypt, New Kingdom (18th dynasty), ca. 15th century BC
Ring with a Scarab, Middle Kingdom, 12th dynasty, ca. 1976–1794 BC (Gift of Mr. Hashimoto Kanji)
Checking the Stock at a Granary, Middle Kingdom, ca. 2025–1794 BC
Copper or Bronze Sword, Excavated in Syria, Sumerian Early Dynastic period, 3rd millennium BC
Pin, Excavated in Syria, Sumerian Early Dynastic period, 3rd millennium BC
Foundation Peg with a God Figure, Excavated in southern Iraq, Sumerian Early Dynastic period, ca. 2400 BC
Chariot, Middle Bronze Age, ca. 2000–1600 BC
Finial, Excavated in Luristan, Iran, Late 2nd–early 1st millennium BC
Amphoriskos, Excavated in Iraq or Syria, Ca. 15th–14th century BC (Private collection)
Alabastron with Gold Ornamentation, Excavated in Alexandria, Egypt or Italy, 1st century BC–1st century AD (Private collection)
Head of Baʿal, Late Bronze Age, 15th century–early 12th century BC
Statue of Lion-headed Goddess Sakhmet, Excavated at Thebes, Egypt, New Kingdom, 18th dynasty, 16th–14th century BC
Heracles, Excavated at Hatra, Iraq, Parthian period, 1st–2nd century (Gift of the Iraqi Government)
Dish, Design of a humped bull, Excavated in Iran, Late Hellenistic–Parthian period, second half of 3rd–first half of 1st century BC
Head of Bodhisattva, Kumtura Caves, China, Otani collection, 7th–8th century
Art of the Western Regions
2nd floor Room 3
July 17, 2019 (Wed) - September 1, 2019 (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:
Head of a Demon, Kumtura Caves, ChinaOtani collection, 7th–8th century
3rd floor
Clay Stamped SealInscribed "True Seal of the Emperor", China, Qin-Western Han dynasty, 3rd-2nd century BC (Gift of Mr. Abe Fusajiro)
The Advent of Chinese Civilization
3rd floor Room 4
June 4, 2019 (Tue) - October 6, 2019 (Sun)
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:
Painted Pottery Jar with a Handle, Excavated in Gansu or Qinghai province, China, Majiayao culture, ca. 2,600-2,300 BC (Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Clay Stamped Seal, Inscribed "True imperial seal", China, Qin-Western Han dynasty, 3rd-2nd century BC (Gift of Mr. Abe Fusajiro)
Jade Axe, Neolithic period, 3rd millennium BC
Carved Stone Monster, Attributed provenance: Yinxu, Anyang, Henan province, China, Shang dynasty, 13th-11th century BC
Gang Jie Zun Wine Vessel, Western Zhou dynasty, 11th–10th century BC
Chinese Bronzes
3rd floor Room 5
July 17, 2019 (Wed) - November 17, 2019 (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:
Sword, Spring and Autumn-Warring States period, 6th–5th century BC
Money Tree, Excavated in Sichuan province or its vicinity, China, Eastern Han dynasty, 1st–2nd century
Gang Jie Zun Wine Vessel, Western Zhou dynasty, 11th–10th century BC
Bu Jar, Taotie design, Shang dynasty, 13th–11th century BC (Gift of Ms. Sakamoto Kiku)
Bo Bell, Coiling dragon design, Warring States period, 5th century BC (Gift of Ms. Sakamoto Kiku)
Large Vase in Shape of Gourd, Design in overglaze enamel and gold, Jingdezhen ware, China, Ming dynasty, 16th century (Important Cultural Property, Gift of Mr. Sakamoto Goro)
Tomb Guardian Animal, With pigment, Western Jin dynasty, 3rd century (Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Burials in China
3rd floor Room 5
July 17, 2019 (Wed) - October 20, 2019 (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:
Tomb Guardian Animal, With pigment, Western Jin dynasty, 3rd century (Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Bowl, Yellow glaze with inscription in underglaze iron pigment, Changsha ware, China, Tang dynasty, dated 838
Pillow, Three-color glaze with stamped mandarin duck design, Tang dynasty, 8th century (Gift of Mr. Hirota Matsushige)
Ox Cart and Two Attendants, Three-color glaze, Tang dynasty, 7th century (Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Tomb Guardian, Three-color glaze, Tang dynasty, 7th–8th century (Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Bowl, White porcelain with crane and cloud design in gold, Ding ware, China, Attributed provenance: Korea, Northern Song dynasty, 11th-12th century (Important Cultural Property, Gift of Mr. Inoue Tsuneichi and Mrs. Inoue Fumiko)
Chinese Ceramics
3rd floor Room 5
July 17, 2019 (Wed) - November 17, 2019 (Sun)
This part presents the changing expressions of Chinese ceramics from the 7th to the 19th century.
Current exhibit includes:
Bowl, White porcelain with crane and cloud design in gold, Ding ware, China, Attributed provenance: Korea, Northern Song dynasty, 11th-12th century (Important Cultural Property, Gift of Mr. Inoue Tsuneichi and Mrs. Inoue Fumiko)
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, Transparent glaze on white slip with peony design, Cizhou ware, China, Northern Song dynasty, 11th-12th century (Gift of Mr. Hirota Matsushige)
Pillow, Design of deer carved through white slip, Cizhou ware, China, Northern Song dynasty, 11th century (Gift of Mr. Iida Taichi)
Vase, Transparent glaze on white slip with peony design in iron pigment, Cizhou ware, China, Northern Song-Jin dynasty, 12th century (Important Art Object, Gift of Ms. Yamada Setsuko)
Dish, Plum tree design in famille rose enamel, Jingdezhen ware, China, Qing dynasty, Yongzheng era (Important Cultural Property, Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Bowls, Roundel design in famille rose enamel, Jingdezhen ware, China, Qing dynasty, Daoguang era (Gift of Mr. Hirota Matsushige)
Ban (Buddhist Ritual Banner) "Banner Leg", With paired dragons, flowers and four-petal flower roundels design on dark yellowish green ground, Asuka–Nara period, 7th–8th century
Chinese Textiles: Developments in Arabesque Designs
3rd floor Room 5
June 4, 2019 (Tue) - September 1, 2019 (Sun)
The arabesque designs of vines with repeated flowers and leaf patterns are known as palmette. They originated in Western Asia and are thought to have arrived in China and Japan through the Silk Road. This exhibition traces the historical development of arabesque designs and patterns in Chinese textiles. The excellent silk fabrics on display have been highly valued by Japanese collectors since ancient times.
Current exhibit includes:
Gold Brocade Nested lozenge and double-vine large peony arabesque design on light indigo ground, Formerly preserved by the Maeda family, Kaga domain, Ming dynasty, 15th century
Ban (Buddhist Ritual Banner) "Banner Leg", With paired dragons, flowers and four-petal flower roundels design on dark yellowish green ground, Formerly preserved at Horyuiji., Asuka–Nara period, 7th–8th century
Shitozu Sock, Brocade with floral arabesque design on striped ground, Formerly preserved in the Shosoin Repository, Todaiji, Nara period, dated 752
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 2, 2019 (Tue) - April 5, 2020 (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.
Peonies after Xu Chongsi, By Yun Shouping, China, Qing dynasty, dated 1689 (Private collection)
Chinese Painting: The Appeal of Painted Fans
4th floor Room 8
August 6, 2019 (Tue) - September 16, 2019 (Mon)
Fans adorned with painting or calligraphy were essential objects in social interactions between scholars. They were artworks through which scholars displayed their artistic tastes, were portable, and served as casual gifts. Since fans could be acquired for relatively low prices, they also became popular as collectible antiques. Both in China and Japan, collectors started compiling albums with painted fans.
In this exhibition, the renowned Xiaowanliu Pavilion Anthology of Fan Paintings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties (published in 1911) by the collector Lian Quan (1868?1931) takes center stage. Through this collection and other fan paintings brought to Japan we aim to convey the appeal of Chinese painted fans.
Current exhibit includes:
Landscape, By Wu Bin, China, Ming dynasty, dated 1604 (Private collection)
Wind in Pines Among a Myriad of Valleys, By Yun Shouping, China, Qing dynasty, dated 1673 (Private collection)
Poem in Running and Cursive Scripts on Fan Paper, By Zhang Ruitu, China, Ming dynasty, 16th–17th century (Gift of Dr. Hayashi Munetake)
Chinese Calligraphy: Fans and Duilian
4th floor Room 8
July 30, 2019 (Tue) - September 16, 2019 (Mon)
Fans and duilian are two characteristic formats for Chinese calligraphy and painting. Since the Han dynasty (206 BC–220 AD), painting and calligraphy have adorned Chinese fans, but it was only from the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) that inscribing fans with calligraphy and decorating them with paintings became popular. Printed fans also became widespread in this period.
Duilian is a form of counterpoint, in which Chinese poetry is written on two strips of paper of even length. The characters on each strip correspond to one another. Since the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (907–979), duilian were written for congratulations and condolences, and became part of daily life. During the Qing dynasty (1644–1912), the exchange of duilian became fashionable among scholars.
Current exhibit includes:
Poem in Running and Cursive Scripts on Fan Paper, By Zhang Ruitu, China, Ming dynasty, 16th–17th century (Gift of Dr. Hayashi Munetake)
Poem in Cursive Script on Fan Paper, By Mi Wanzhong, China, Ming dynasty, 16th–17th century (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
Poem in Cursive Script on Fan Paper, By Wu Changshuo, China, Qing dynasty, dated 1886 (Gift of Mr. Aoyama San'u)
Duilian in Clerical Script, By Wu Xizai, China, Qing dynasty, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
Duilian in Running Script, By Shen Shuyong, China, Qing dynasty, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Aoyama San'u)
Bell-shaped Inkstone, Formerly owned by Aoyama San'u, Qing dynasty, China, 17th–19th century (Gift of Ms. Saito Akiko)
Chinese Literati
4th floor Room 8
July 30, 2019 (Tue) - September 16, 2019 (Mon)
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:
Bell-shaped Inkstone, Formerly owned by Aoyama San'u, Qing dynasty, China, 17th–19th century (Gift of Ms. Saito Akiko)
Characters for Plaque in Running Script, By He Shaoji, Qing dynasty, China, dated 1870
5th floor
Writing Box with a Bird and Flowers, China, Ming dynasty, 16th century (Important Cultural Property
Chinese Lacquerware
5th floor Room 9
August 6, 2019 (Tue) - October 27, 2019 (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:
Box with Dragons among Clouds, China, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century
Box with a Dragon and Phoenix, China, Ming dynasty, dated 1592
Writing Box with a Bird and Flowers, China, Ming dynasty, 16th century (Important Cultural Property
Writing Table with Birds and Flowers, China, Ming dynasty, 16th century (Important Cultural Property)
Goldfish, China, Qing dynasty, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Kamiya Denbei)
Decorative Art of the Qing Dynasty
5th floor Room 9
August 6, 2019 (Tue) - October 27, 2019 (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:
Scepter (Ruyi) with a Watch, China, Qing dynasty, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Hirota Matsushige)
Pomegranate, China, Qing dynasty, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Kamiya Denbei)
Goldfish, China, Qing dynasty, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Kamiya Denbei)
Crown, Attributed provenance: Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea, Three Kingdoms period (Gaya), 5th century (Important Art Object, Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Polished Stone Tools and Metal Tools of Korea
5th floor Room 10
April 23, 2019 (Tue) - October 20, 2019 (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 century (Important Art Object, 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 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)
Headgear, With design in openwork, Attributed provenance: Changnyeong, Korea, Three Kingdoms period, 6th century (Important Cultural Property, Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
The Rises and Falls of Kings in Korea
5th floor Room 10
April 23, 2019 (Tue) - October 20, 2019 (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:
Earring, Three Kingdoms period (Silla), Korea, 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)
Horse-shaped Vessel, Attributed provenance: Changnyeong, Korea, Three Kingdoms period (Silla), 5th century (Important Art Object, Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Korean Ceramics
5th floor Room 10
April 23, 2019 (Tue) - October 20, 2019 (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:
Cylindrical Stand, Excavated from Yangsan Bubuchong Tomb, Korea, Three Kingdoms period (Silla), start of 6th century
Vase, Celadon glaze with carved lotus arabesque design, Korea, Goryeo dynasty, 12th century
Jar in Shape of Rice BaleBuncheong ware; fish design in underglaze iron, Korea, Joseon dynasty, 15th–16th century (Private collection)
Beveled Jar, White porcelain, Joseon dynasty, Korea, 18th century (Private collection)
Jar, Crane and tortoise design in underglaze blue, Korea, Joseon dynasty, 19th century (Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Equestrian Figurine, Korea, Three Kingdoms period (Silla), 5th–6th century (Important Art Object, Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Transverse Flute, Unified Silla dynasty, Korea, 8th century (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)
Water Fowl-shaped Vessel, Korea, Three Kingdoms period (Silla), 5th century (Important Art Object, Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Double-mouthed Vessel with Wheels, Attributed provenance: Changnyeong, Korea, Three Kingdoms period (Silla), 5th century (Important Art Object, Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
House-shaped VesselStoneware, Three Kingdoms period (Silla), 5th–6th century (Important Art Object, Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
BowlCeladon glaze, Goryeo dynasty, Korea, 10th century
BowlWhite porcelain, Goryeo dynasty, Korea, 11th century (Gift of Mr. Kudo Yoshiro)
Round Eave Tile, Spoke and lotus flower design, Probably excavated from Pyeongyang, Korea, Three Kingdoms period (Goguryeo), 4th–5th century
Buddhist Art of Korea
5th floor Room 10
May 8, 2019 (Wed) - October 20, 2019 (Sun)
This part features the essence of Korean Buddhist art.
Current exhibit includes:
Round Eave Tile, Spoke and lotus flower design, Probably excavated from Pyongyang, 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)
Standing Bhaisajyaguru, Three Kingdoms period, 7th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Water Dropper, Joseon dynasty, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Aoyama Keiji)
Art of the Joseon Dynasty
5th floor Room 10
August 20, 2019 (Tue) - November 10, 2019 (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:
Jar, Joseon dynasty, 18th century (Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Dining Tray, Openwork designs in base, Joseon dynasty, second half of 19th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Brush Pot, Joseon dynasty, 18th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Water Dropper, Joseon dynasty, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Aoyama Keiji)
Square Liquor Vessel, Korea, Joseon dynasty, 18th–19th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation )
Liquor Vessel, Joseon dynasty, 19th century (Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Basement
Lintel (detail), Acquired through exchange with l'École française d'Extrême-Orient, Angkor period, 10th century
Khmer Sculpture
Basement Room 11
May 8, 2019 (Wed) - May 10, 2020 (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.
Finial for a Shaft in the Shape of Naga, Acquired through exchange with l'École française d'Extrême-Orient, Angkor period, 12th century
Gilt Bronze Statues from Southeast Asia
Basement Room 12
May 8, 2019 (Wed) - May 10, 2020 (Sun)
This part focuses on Southeast Asian gilt bronze statues of gods and Buddhist deities from the 7th to 13th century. The statues are made using the lost-wax casting process, and therefore they have common qualities in their plasticity and smoothness of form.
Human-shaped Object, Attributed provenance: Uttar Pradesh, India, Copper Hoard culture, ca. 1500 BC
Archaeology of India and Southeast Asia
Basement Room 12
April 23, 2019 (Tue) - April 19, 2020 (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.
Covered Bowl, Excavated at Angkor, Angkor period, 12th–14th century (Acquired through exchange with l'École française d'Extrême-Orient)
Southeast Asian Ceramics
Basement Room 12
January 2, 2019 (Wed) - September 1, 2019 (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:
Spittoon, Excavated at Angkor, Angkor period, 12th–14th century (Acquired through exchange with l'École française d'Extrême-Orient)
Covered Bowl, Excavated at Angkor, Angkor period, 12th–14th 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 Thai ware, 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, Formerly owned by Okano Shigezo, 16th century (Important Art Object)
Dish with Foliated Rim, Flowering plant design in overglaze enamel, 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
Dodot (Formal waist garment), Design of a kawung pattern on an indigo ground in batik, Java, Indonesia, Start of the 19th century
Asian Textiles: Textile of Indonesia
Basement Room 13
June 4, 2019 (Tue) - September 1, 2019 (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), Design of a kawung pattern on an indigo ground in batik, Java, Indonesia, Start of the 19th century
Hinggi kombu (Shoulder garment), Design of human heads and animals in warp ikat, Sumba, Indonesia, 19th century
Selendang (Shoulder garment), Design of tiers and a geometric pattern in float weave on a madder red ground, Pasemah, Sumatra, Indonesia, Second half of the 19th century-start of the 20th century
A Queen Being Combed on the Terrace (Bilawal Ragini) (detail), By Provincial Mughal school, India, Second half of 17th–early 18th century
Indian Miniature Paintings
Basement Room 13
August 6, 2019 (Tue) - September 8, 2019 (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 each picture, such as myths, music, and nature.
Current exhibit includes:
A Queen Being Combed on the Terrace (Bilawal Ragini), By Provincial Mughal school, India, Second half of 17th–early 18th century
Wayang Kulit: Dewi Banowati, 20th–21st century (Gift of Mr. Matsumoto Ryo)
Wayang Kulit: Indonesian Shadow-Puppet Theater
Basement Room 13
July 23, 2019 (Tue) - October 20, 2019 (Sun)
Wayang Kulit is a traditional form of shadow-puppet theater in Indonesia.
Around the 10th century, Hinduism along with its accompanying epics the Mahabharata and the Ramayana were introduced to Indonesia from India. As the epics spread through Indonesia, they were adopted as the storylines for Wayang Kulit plays.
The puppets used in Wayang Kulit are cut from water bu alo hide, carved intricately with ne chisels, and decorated in vibrant colors. The sticks for manipulating the puppets are mostly made from water bu alo horn.
Wayang Kulit plays typically last all night. The puppeteer, called a dhalang, maneuvers all the puppets, delivers all the lines, and even cues the accompanying musicians (gamelan). Although they are based on famous epics, performances are not strictly scripted and include the dhalang’s improvisations.
Exhibit includes:
Wayang Kulit: Raden Arjuna, 20th century (Gift of Mr. Matsumoto Ryo)
Wayang Kulit: Dewi Wara Srikandi, Second half of 20th century (Gift of Mr. Taeda Tsuyoshi)
Wayang Kulit: Dewi Banowati, 20th–21st century (Gift of Mr. Matsumoto Ryo)
Wayang Kulit: Adipati Karna, Second half of 20th century (Gift of Mr. Taeda Tsuyoshi)