Calligraphy, Painting, and Cultural Exchange during the Joseon Dynasty
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Cat with Sparrows
By Byeon Sangbyeok, Korean Peninsula, Joseon dynasty, 18th century (Gift of the Ogura Foundation, On exhibit through October 19, 2025)Asian Gallery (Toyokan) Room 8
September 23, 2025 (Tue) - November 16, 2025 (Sun)This exhibition features exceptional paintings and calligraphy from the Museum Collection that were created during Korea’s Joseon dynasty (1392–1910).
These artworks are shown alongside records of cultural exchange between Japan and Korea from the same period.The paintings are organized by theme — landscapes, folk customs and tales, flowers and birds, and Buddhist subjects — highlighting the variety and appeal of each genre.
The calligraphy is displayed together with works by Chinese scholars who influenced or interacted with Korean calligraphers, emphasizing the significance of these cultural connections.
To evoke the setting in which such works would have been appreciated, the exhibition also presents furnishings and stationery reminiscent of a scholar’s study during the Joseon period.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Meeting of Officials from the Bureau of Construction | Inscription by So Seyang (1486–1562), Korean Peninsula | Joseon dynasty, inscription dated 1536 | TA-112 | |||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Eight Views of Xiaoxiang | Artist unknown, Korean Peninsula | Joseon dynasty, 16th century | Lent by Daiganji Temple, Hiroshima | On exhibit through October 19, 2025 | |
| Highlight | Cat with Sparrows | By Byeon Sangbyeok (born 1730), Korean Peninsula | Joseon dynasty, 18th century | Gift of the Ogura Foundation, TA-387 | On exhibit through October 19, 2025 | ||
| Highlight | The Chinese Poet Su Dongpo | By Yu Suk (1827–73), Korean Peninsula | Joseon dynasty, 19th century | Gift of the Ogura Foundation, TA-415 | On exhibit from October 21, 2025 | ||
| Highlight | Gathering of Gods | Artist unknown, Korean Peninsula | Joseon dynasty, 19th century | TA-18 | |||
| Highlight | Poem in Running Script | By Yi Yong (1418–53), Korean Peninsula | Joseon dynasty, 15th century | Gift of the Ogura Foundation, TB-1480 | |||
| "Confucius" from "Great Confucian Masters and Sages" | By Kanō Sansetsu (1590–1651); inscription by Kim Seryeom (1593–1646), Japan | Edo period, 1632 | H-1342-11 | On exhibit through October 19, 2025 | |||
| Highlight | Records of the Elder Statesmen's Association | Calligraphy by Yi Uibang and others; paintings by Kim Jinyeo, Jang Taeheung, Bak Dongbo, Jang Deukman, Heo Suk, Korean Peninsula | Joseon dynasty, 1719 | A-9925 | |||
| Highlight | Miscellaneous Poems in Running Script | By Kim Jeonghui (1786–1856), Korean Peninsula | Joseon dynasty, 19th century | TB-1490 | |||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Diplomatic Letter from the King of Joseon | Korean Peninsula | Joseon dynasty, 1763 | B-1768-9-1 | ||
| Highlight | Desk with Dragons among Clouds | Korean Peninsula | Joseon dynasty, 19th century | TH-388 |