Chinese Buddhist Sculpture
1st floor Room 1
April 9, 2019 (Tue) -
April 12, 2020 (Sun)
October 20, 2019 (Sun), 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)
3rd floor
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)
The Advent of Chinese Civilization
3rd floor Room 4
October 8, 2019 (Tue) - February 9, 2020 (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)
Bells, China, Warring States period, 5th–3rd century BC
Jar with a Hunting Scene, China, Western Han–Eastern Han dynasty, 1st century BC–1st century AD (Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Blade Arrowheads, Excavated from Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, Neolithic period, ca. 7th-3rd millennium BC (Gift of Mr. Morita Toshiro)
Stone Spearhead, Excavated at Nanshanli, Lushunkou, Dalian city, Liaoning province, China, Neolithic period-Bronze Age, 2nd millennium BC (Gift of Ms. Sone Toshiko)
Jade Axe, China, Neolithic period, 3rd millennium BC
Roof Tile with an Animal Mask (Taotie), China, Warring States period (the state of Yan), 5th–4th 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)
Textile from Attire for Chinese Official with Dragons among Clouds (detail), Passed down by the Maeda clan, China, Ming dynasty, 16th–17th century
Chinese Textiles: Prized Textiles Passed Down by the Maeda Clan
3rd floor Room 5
September 3, 2019 (Tue) - November 24, 2019 (Sun)
This gallery features luxury textiles imported from China that were made using techniques not yet found in Japanese textiles, such as gold brocade and damask. These fabrics, called "prized textiles" (meibutsu gire), were treasured by Japanese tea masters and were used for wrapping valuable tea wares or as mounting fabric for calligraphy and other artwork. The Museum was gifted over eighty "prized textiles" by the Maeda clan, which ruled over the prosperous Kaga Domain.
Current exhibit includes:
Textile with Dragon Squares, Passed down by the Maeda clan, China, Ming dynasty, 16th–17th century
Textile from Attire for Chinese Official with Dragons among Clouds, Passed down by the Maeda clan, China, Ming dynasty, 16th–17th century
Textile with Multicolor Stripes, Named "Funakoshi's Striped Cloth", Passed down by the Maeda clan, China, Ming dynasty, 16th–17th 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 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.
The Nine Elders (detail), By Ren Yi, China, Qing dynasty, dated 1883 (Gift of Dr. Hayashi Munetake)
Chinese Painting: Paintings of Scholars and Beautiful Women
4th floor Room 8
September 18, 2019 (Wed) - October 27, 2019 (Sun)
From the 18th to the 19th century, Chinese scholars painted and commissioned portraits of themselves, friends, and revered figures from the past. These paintings were often highly idealized and served to reflect exemplary friendships. At the same time, paintings of slender female attendants with slim waists in gorgeous colors and refined brushwork were also very popular.
Current exhibit includes:
The Nine Elders, By Ren Yi, China, Qing dynasty, dated 1883 (Gift of Dr. Hayashi Munetake)
Sweet Dream at Mount Luofu, By Yu Ming, China, Republic period, 20th century (Private collection)
Literary Gathering in Chengnan, By Yu Zhiding, China, Qing dynasty, 17th century (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
Inscription of the Yi Ying Stele (detail), China, Eastern Han dynasty, dated 153 (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
Chinese Calligraphy: The Development of Clerical Script
4th floor Room 8
September 18, 2019 (Wed) - October 27, 2019 (Sun)
Chinese script was first standardized during the reign of the Qin emperor (221–206 BC). This so-called seal script was replaced by the less complicated clerical script of the Eastern Han dynasty (25–220). From the Northern and Southern dynasties (439–589), clerical script was further simplified to what is now known as standard script, although it remained in use for memorial stones. During the reign of Emperor Xuanzong (712–756) and the Qing dynasty (1644–1912), clerical script briefly came back into fashion and became the subject of epigraphy.
In this exhibition we are currently displaying ink rubbings from the Eastern Han dynasty to the Tang dynasty (618–907) and works from various Qing-dynasty (1644–1912) scholars to explore the development of clerical script.
Current exhibit includes:
Inscription of the Scholar Lou Stele, China, Eastern Han dynasty, dated 174 (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
Writing after Stele Inscriptions by Zhang Qian and Shi Mensong, By He Shaoji, China, Qing dynasty, dated 1862
Inscription of the Yi Ying Stele, China, Eastern Han dynasty, dated 153 (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
Inscription of the Kong Xian Stele, China, Wei dynasty, dated 220
Inscription of the Monk Dazhi Stele, By Shi Weize, China, Tang dynasty, dated 736
Duilian in Clerical Script, By Xu Sangeng, China, Qing dynasty, dated 1880, (Gift of Mr. Aoyama San'u)
“Universal Love” in Running Script, By Sun Yat-sen, Republic period, 20th century
Chinese Literati
4th floor Room 8
September 18, 2019 (Wed) - October 27, 2019 (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:
Display Shelf for Writing Tools and Materials, Qing dynasty, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Hirota Matsushige)
“Universal Love” in Running Script, By Sun Yat-sen, Republic period, 20th century
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.
Birds and animals in kinma filled-in lacquer, Thailand, 17th–18th century
Southeast Asian Ceramics
Basement Room 12
September 3, 2019 (Tue) - January 5, 2020 (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:
Imaginary animals in kinma filled-in lacquer, 17th–18th century
Birds and animals in kinma filled-in lacquer, Thailand, 17th–18th century
Covered Box, Lotus petal design in underglaze brown, 15th–16th century (Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)
Shallow Bowl with Pointed Foliate Rim, Celadon glaze with lotus flower design, Si Satchanalai ware, Thailand, 15th century (Gift of Mr. Yamada Yoshio)
Dish, Celadon glaze, Si Satchanalai ware, Thailand, 15th–16th century (Gift of Mr. Yoshida Sakuya)
Bowl, Arabesque design in overglaze enamel, Formerly owned by Okano Shigezo, 16th century (Important Art Object)
Dish with Foliated Rim, Grass and flower design in overglaze enamel, 16th century (Important Art Object, Gift of Ms. Saito Michi)
Large Dish, Deer and landscape design in underglaze blue, 15th–16th century (Important Art Object)
Cashmere Shawl, Tapestry weave and patchwork; paisley design on red ground (detail), Kashmir, India, 18th century
Asian Textiles: Cashmere Shawls
Basement Room 13
September 3, 2019 (Tue) - November 24, 2019 (Sun)
The Kashmir goat, which lives in the Kashmir region of northeastern India, has wool of lustrous soft hairs, Cashmere shawls feature this high-quality wool dyed in various colors and with detailed designs achieved through hand-woven brocade and embroidery. From the 16th to the 18th century, these shawls were produced in great quantity. They were immensely popular particularly in Europe, so many shawls were exported there through the East India Company. The shawls were also used to make dress and gowns. In the portraits of European aristocrats from this time, women are frequently depicted wearing a cashmere shawl, an item that was highly sought after. After the Industrial Revolution, a woolen fabric was produced in Paisley, Scotland, in imitation of the cashmere shawl. It was adored throughout Europe to the extent that the traditional kalka motif used in India textiles was named "paisley."
Current exhibit includes:
Sash with Flowering Plants and Vines, Iran, Safavid dynasty, 17th century
Shawl with Paisley Cones, Kashmir, India, 18th century
Wall Hanging with Trees and Parrots, Kerman, Iran, 18th–19th century
Shawl with Paisley Cones and Floral Pattern, Kashmir, India, 19th century
Nayaka Aiming a Bow and Arrow with Nayika on His Lap (detail), By the Bikaner school, Beginning of 18th century
Indian Miniature Paintings
Basement Room 13
September 10, 2019 (Tue) - October 20, 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:
Nayaka with Semi-nude Nayika, By Fakir Ullah, the Lucknow school, 18th century
Nayaka Aiming a Bow and Arrow with Nayika on His Lap, By the Bikaner school, Beginning of 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)