The Arrival of Buddhism | 6th–8th century
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Gigaku Mask: Suikojū ("Retainer of a Drunken King of the Western Regions")
Nara period, 8th century (Gift of Mr. Mitsui Takahiro)UpcomingJapanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 1
January 1, 2026 (Thu) - March 15, 2026 (Sun)Japan's leaders transformed their society by adopting Buddhism and other foreign cultures and practices. Buddhism was founded by Gautama Buddha in ancient India around 500 BC. Later it spread throughout Asia and was introduced to Japan from the Korean Peninsula in the 6th century AD.
In the Asuka period (593–710), people from the Korean Peninsula brought advanced knowledge to Japan. They included monks, scholars, and artisans, who brought technology, scholarship, artistic traditions, and Buddhist teachings. Under the leadership of the emperor and powerful clans, Buddhism began to flourish as temples were built and sacred images created.
In the Nara period (710–794), Japan’s leaders emulated the Buddhist culture that was thriving in China. In the capital of Nara, the emperor oversaw the creation of a giant buddha sculpture at Tōdaiji Temple, the symbol of a state now unified under Buddhism. The sculptures, ritual tools, sacred texts, and other works on display illustrate these two periods of rapid change.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Gigaku Mask: Suikojū ("Retainer of a Drunken King of the Western Regions") | Nara period, 8th century | Gift of Mr. Mitsui Takahiro, C-1818 | ||||
| Highlight | National Treasure | Part of the Sutra on the Wise and Foolish (Called "Ōjōmu") | Attributed to Emperor Shōmu | Nara period, 8th century | B-2402 | On exhibit through February 1, 2026 | |
| Highlight | Part of Volume 16 of the Flower Garland Sutra (Called the "Burnt Sutra of Nigatsudō Hall") | Nara period, 8th century | B-2871 | On exhibit from February 3, 2026 | |||
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 |