A Special Zoo in the Museum: Metal-Made Animals
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White Bear
By Tsuda Shinobu, Shōwa era, 1944 (Gift of the Second Bureau of Demobilization)Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 14
July 8, 2025 (Tue) - August 24, 2025 (Sun)This exhibition presents animal-themed objects made of various metals using a range of metalworking techniques. In this special “zoo,” you can feel more familiar with and deepen your understanding of metalwork objects that are around us.
Metalwork objects are generally hard and heavy, and may carry a “cold” impression, but they can also express supple textures and possess a light-hearted feel. Through this exhibition featuring animal-themed objects which their creators must have seen with their warm gaze, we hope that you can draw more attention to the potentials and creativity of metalworking. You might also be able to cool off surrounded by these metal-made animals despite the summer heat.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Water Dropper Shaped Like a Long-Eared Hare | Edo period, 18th–19th century | Gift of Mr. Watanabe Toyotarō and Mr. Watanabe Masayuki, E-20456 | ||||
| Highlight | Incense Burner Shaped Like a Buffalo | Edo period, 17th century | E-13024 | ||||
| Highlight | White Bear | By Tsuda Shinobu (1875–1946) | Shōwa era, 1944 | Gift of the Second Bureau of Demobilization, E-19826 | |||
| Highlight | Cat | By Suga Shōen II (1897–1979) | Shōwa era, 20th century | E-20047-5 | |||
| Highlight | Crab-Shaped Water Dropper | Edo period, 19th century | E-13003 | ||||
| Highlight | Incense Burner with Lion Knob and Handles | By Katori Hotsuma (1874–1954) | Taishō–Shōwa era, 20th century | Gift of the artist, E-19792 | |||
| “Flower Garland” with Long-Tailed Birds | Kamakura period, 13th century | E-15536 | |||||
| Highlight | Octofoil Mirror with Auspicious Flowers and a Bird-Shaped Knob | Heian period, 11th–12th century | E-13292 | ||||
| Articulated Hawk | By Myōchin Kiyoharu | Edo period, 18th–19th century | E-20000 | ||||
| Highlight | Articulated Snake | By Muneyoshi | Shōwa era, 20th century | E-20003 |