Sculpture
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Woman
By Ogiwara Morie (1879–1910), Mold: Meiji era, 1910; cast: Heisei era, 2010Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 8
October 20, 2026 (Tue) - January 24, 2027 (Sun)Japan has three main traditions of sculpture: Buddhist deities, Shinto deities, and portraits of people. Buddhism was introduced to Japan from the Korean Peninsula in the 6th century, together with sculptures of Buddhist deities. These sculptures were made primarily for worship. Making a sculpture was also an “act of spiritual merit” that would help one’s prayers to be answered.
In contrast, Shinto is the indigenous religion of Japan. Since ancient times, people believed that Shinto deities dwell in natural features like mountains and rivers, and rarely depicted them as humanlike sculptures. Even when a Shinto shrine had a sculpture for worship, the priests usually kept it hidden from view out of respect.
Some portrait sculptures were also worshipped, as they showed deified monks or samurai. Others were made to remember the dead and pray for their salvation. This gallery features works mainly from the Heian (794–1192) and Kamakura (1192–1333) periods, when many of Japan’s most admired sculptures were created.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Traditional Customs of the Ainu | By Tomioka Tessai (1836–1924) | Meiji era, 1896 | Gift of Kiyoshikojin Seicho-ji, A-11350 | On exhibit from December 8, 2026 | ||
| Highlight | Pilgrimage to Sumiyoshi Shrine | By Kobayashi Kokei (1883–1957) | Taishō era, 1913 | A-10545 | On exhibit through December 6, 2026 | ||
| Important Cultural Property | Spring Field | By Asai Chū (1856–1907) | Meiji era, 1888 | A-11243 | |||
| Highlight | Woman | By Ogiwara Morie (1879–1910) | Mold: Meiji era, 1910; cast: Heisei era, 2010 | C-1881 | |||
| Important Cultural Property | Eagle | By Suzuki Chōkichi (1848–1919) | Meiji era, 1892 | Gift of Japan Delegate Office for World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, E-13034 | |||
| Highlight | Elephant-Shaped Incense Burner | By Tōgō Jukatsu (1855–1936) | Meiji era, 19th century | G-4377 | |||
| Highlight | Vases with Birds and Flowers | By Kakuha Kanzaemon IX (1835–1885) | Meiji era, 19th century | E-13023 |