Frolicking Animals: Behind the Scenes
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Octafoil Mirror with the Moon Palace
China, Tang dynasty, 8th centuryJapanese Gallery (Honkan) Rooms T1 & T2
March 23, 2021 (Tue) - June 20, 2021 (Sun)The National Treasure Frolicking Animals is a light-hearted series of four illustrated handscrolls depicting animals behaving like people. Created in the 12th and 13th centuries, the scrolls have been preserved and passed down by Kōsan-ji Temple in Kyoto. The Museum is holding a special exhibition entitled National Treasure: Frolicking Animals (April 13–May 30, 2021 in the Heiseikan building), in which all four original scrolls are on display. This smaller, thematic exhibition is meant to complement that exhibition.
Room 14 (On exhibit through June 6, 2021)
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Hare | China | Tang dynasty, 8th century | Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke, TG-1427 | On exhibit through June 6, 2021 | ||
| Highlight | Perfumed-Oil Bottle ("Aryballos") in the Shape of a Hare | Reportedly found in Greece | First half of 6th century BC | Gift of Mr. Tanimura Keisuke, TJ-5522-6 | On exhibit through June 6, 2021 |
Room T2
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Frolicking Animals, Vol. 1 (Copy) | Copied by Yamazaki Kunzen (1817–93) | Meiji era, 19th century | A-1530-1 |
Room T1
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Scaled Copy of a Ceremonial Valance with Mythical Beasts | Copied by Yoshida Seihō (dates unknown), colored by Morita Kametarō (dates unknown) | Copied in 1915 (Taishō 4), colored in 1916 (Taishō 5) | P-1214 |