Ancient Art | Ca. 11,000 BC–7th century AD
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Buddha
Collection of Hōryūji Treasures, Asuka period, 7th century (Important Cultural Property)UpcomingJapanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 1
July 8, 2025 (Tue) - September 28, 2025 (Sun)Japan has some of the earliest pottery in the world, dating back about 13,000 years. It was created by the people of the Jōmon period (ca. 11,000–400 BC). These people built permanent settlements and relied on hunting, fishing, and gathering.
At the height of their culture, they made pottery with richly sculpted forms and figurines with distinctive shapes.
In the Yayoi period (ca. 4th century BC–first half of 3rd century AD), people from Northeast Asia (now China and Korea) immigrated to Japan. They brought knowledge of how to farm rice and make objects with bronze and iron. More food became available and people started making tools, weapons, and ritual objects with metal.
In the Kofun period (ca. second half of 3rd–7th century), regional rulers seized power and resources. They formed an early state and the imperial line became its central authority. These rulers had giant tomb mounds built for themselves, with clay sculptures placed outside and valuable objects buried inside to express the rulers’ authority even after death.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Buddha | Collection of Hōryūji Treasures | Asuka period, 7th century | N-193 | ||
| Highlight | Volume 103 of the "Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra" | Nara period, 741 | Lent by Enpukuji Temple, Chiba | On exhibit through August 17, 2025 | |||
| Sutra on the Repayment of Indebtedness | Attributed to Asano no Uokai | Nara period, 8th century | B-26 | On exhibit from August 19, 2025 | |||
| Highlight | Part of an Annotated "Laṅkāvatāra Sutra" | Nara period, 8th century | Gift of Mr. Uemura Wadō, B-3288 | On exhibit from August 19, 2025 | |||
| Highlight | National Treasure | Ritual Objects Used to Consecrate the Site of Kōfukuji Temple, Eight-Lobed Mirror with Auspicious Flowers and Paired Phoenixes | Found under the dais of the Main Hall of Kōfukuji Temple, Nara | Tang dynasty, 8th century | E-14255 | On exhibit from July 15, 2025 | |
| Highlight | National Treasure | Ritual Objects Used to Consecrate the Site of Kōfukuji Temple, Gilt-Bronze Bowl | Found under the dais of the Main Hall of Kōfukuji Temple, Nara | Nara period, 8th century | E-14257 | On exhibit from July 15, 2025 | |
| National Treasure | Ritual Objects Used to Consecrate the Site of Kōfukuji Temple, Large Gilt-Bronze Bowl | Found under the dais of the Main Hall of Kōfukuji Temple, Nara | Nara period, 8th century | E-14260 | On exhibit from July 15, 2025 | ||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Eight Nested Bowls | Collection of Hōryūji Treasures | Nara period, 8th century | N-264 |