The Deva Bishamonten (detail), Heian period, 12th century
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 3
November 19, 2019 (Tue) - December 25, 2019 (Wed)
Buddhist art is one of the major genres that define Japanese art. Many masterworks date from the late Heian period, a time characterized as classical in Japanese art history. After the Kamakura period, Buddhist art further developed in its materials, methods, and styles as Zen schools and other new Buddhist schools emerged, together with the influence from the Chinese arts. This exhibit features artworks from the Heian to Kamakura periods, when Buddhist art most flourished, adding siginificant objects from the Nanbokucho and periods.
Current exhibit includes:
The Mandalas of the Two Realms, Kamakura period, 14th century
The Ninth Arhat, One of the Sixteen Arhats, Kamakura period, 13th-14th century (Important Cultural Property, Lent by Tenshinji, Tokyo)
The Bodhisattva Miroku, Passed down at Kōzanji Temple, Kyoto, Kamakura period, 13th century
Illustrated Biography of the Priest Honen, Vol. 20, Muromachi period, 15th century (Important Cultural Property, Lent by Taima Temple, Nara)
Volume 21 of [The Biography of Priest Hōnen], Muromachi period, 15th century (Important Cultural Property, Lent by Taima Temple, Nara)
Words of Prayer, By Jien, Kamakura period, 1224 (Important Cultural Property)
Words of Prayer by the Wife of Saionji Saneuji, Attributed to Sesonji Tsunetada, Kamakura period, dated 1282 (Important Cultural Property)
Succession of Priests and Their Biographies, Heian period, 12th century (Important Cultural Property)
Record of Dreams, By Myōe, Kamakura period, 13th century (Important Cultural Property, Lent by Kōzanji Temple, Kyoto)
Head of a Monk’s Staff, Found on Mount Dainichi, Toyama, Heian period, 11th century (Important Cultural Property, Private collection)
Head of a Monk’s Staff, Heian period, dated 1142 (Important Cultural Property, Lent by Tesshuji Temple, Shizuoka)