The Arrival of Buddhism | 6th–8th century
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The Bodhisattva of Sunlight
Previously owned by Kinrinji Temple and Kōsanji Temple, Kyoto, Nara period, 8th century (Important Cultural Property)Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 11
July 14, 2026 (Tue) - October 4, 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 | ||
| The Eleven-Headed Bodhisattva Kannon | Found on Mount Nachi, Wakayama | Asuka period, 7th century | Gift of Mr. Kitamata Tomeshirō and two others, E-14848 | ||||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | The Bodhisattva of Sunlight | Previously owned by Kinrinji and Kōsanji Temples, Kyoto | Nara period, 8th century | C-218 | ||
| Highlight | Monastic Code of Conduct (Shibun Kaihon) with a Preface | Nara period, 768 | Gift of Mr. Hori Tatsu, B-2395 | On exhibit through August 23, 2026 | |||
| Highlight | Volume 8 of Abhidharma Treatise in Accordance with True Principles | Nara period, 768 | B-1035-2 | On exhibit from August 25, 2026 | |||
| 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 | |||
| 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 | |||
| Highlight | National Treasure | Ritual Objects Used to Consecrate the Site of Kōfukuji Temple, Gilt-Bronze Goblet | Found under the dais of the Main Hall of Kōfukuji Temple, Nara | Nara period, 8th century | E-14270 | ||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Bowl | Nara period, 8th century | E-14284 | |||
| Ritual Incense Burner with a Handle and Lion-Shaped Counterweight | Nara period, 8th century | E-19927 |