“Flower Garland” with Blue Magpies, Kamakura period, 13th century
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 13
September 18, 2019 (Wed) - November 4, 2019 (Mon)
Decoration in Buddhism involves sumptuous representations of Buddhas, as well as ritual interiors of temple halls. The adornments used for this purpose are known collectively in Japanese as shogongu. This exhibition introduces Buddhist ritual implements such as containers for sarira, or literally, “Buddha’s relics,” together with items for esoteric Buddhist altars, and interior decor including ritual banners and pendent floral openwork ornaments. The works present an overview of multifarious metalwork techniques such as casting, carving, and forging.
Current exhibit includes:
Container from a Reliquary Set, Found at former site of Mishima Temple, Ōda, Ibaraki-shi, Osaka, Nara period, 8th century (Important Cultural Property, Gift of Mr. Hirano Sutejirō and Mr. Ōta Jisaburō)
Jar from a Reliquary Set, Found at former site of Mishima Temple, Ōda, Ibaraki-shi, Osaka, Nara period, 8th century (Important Cultural Property, Gift of Mr. Hirano Sutejirō and Mr. Ōta Jisaburō)
Box from a Reliquary Set, Found at former site of Mishima Temple, Ōda, Ibaraki-shi, Osaka, Nara period, 8th century (Important Cultural Property, Gift of Mr. Hirano Sutejirō and Mr. Ōta Jisaburō)
Box from a Reliquary Set, Found at former site of Mishima Temple, Ōda, Ibaraki-shi, Osaka, Nara period, 8th century (Important Cultural Property, Gift of Mr. Hirano Sutejirō and Mr. Ōta Jisaburō)
“Flower Garland” with Lotuses, Kamakura period, 13th century (Important Cultural Property, Lent by Kongōrinji Temple, Shiga)
“Flower Garland” with a Seed Syllable, Kamakura period, 13th century (Important Cultural Property, Lent by Nara National Museum)
“Flower Garland” with Lotuses, Muromachi period, 15th century (Important Cultural Property, Lent by Jinshōji Temple, Shiga)