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Scheduled Special Exhibitions(April, 2010 - May, 2011)

Special Exhibitions

The Lineage of Culture - The Hosokawa Family Eisei Bunko Collection
April 20, 2010 (Tue) - June 6, 2010 (Sun)

Gusoku-Type Armor with Two-Piece Cuirass, black lacing

Heiseikan

The Eisei Bunko Museum was established in 1950 by Hosokawa Moritatsu, 16th-generation patriarch of the Hosokawa family, lords of Kyushu’s former Kumamoto domain. The Eisei Bunko Museum has since preserved the cultural treasures acquired and handed down by the Hosokawa family for generations.
This exhibition presents renowned works from the Eisei Bunko collection, along with a selection of objects related to the Hosokawa family. In addition to highlighting the history of the Hosokawa family and the transmission of traditional Japanese culture, it also offers insight into the personal character and connoisseurship of Hosokawa Moritatsu, one of the leading art collectors of modern Japan.

Photo: Gusoku-Type Armor with Two-Piece Cuirass, black lacing, worn by Hosokawa Tadaoki, Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th century, Eisei Bunko Museum

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The Birth of Chinese Civilization
Sunday, July 6, 2010 (Tue) - September 5, 2010 (Sun)

Bronze Ornamental Plaque, Animal design with turquoise inlay

Heiseikan

Focusing on the many renowned artifacts excavated from China’s Henan province, this exhibition explores the birth and development of Chinese civilization along the lines of three key themes: the birth of dynasties, the growth of technical artistry, and the pursuit of beauty.
Henan province, situated on the banks of the Yellow River, has been home to dynastic capitals since ancient times. These include Anyang, capital of the Shang (Yin) dynasty; Luoyang, capital during the Later Han, Wei (Three Kingdoms period) and Northern Wei (Southern and Northern dynasties period) dynasties; and Kaifeng, capital of the Northern Song dynasty. As a key region in the history of Chinese civilization, Henan was the birthplace of many rare and valuable art objects which demonstrate outstanding artistry and continue to be treasured today as symbols of China’s valuable cultural heritage.

Photo: Bronze Ornamental Plaque, Animal design with turquoise inlay, Excavated in 1984 from Tomb 11, Area VI, Erlitou, Yanshi,Xia dynasty, 17th-16th century BC, H. 16.5cm, W. 11cm, Luoyang Museum

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The 1250th Memorial of Empress Komyo
Todaiji Temple and Monuments of Tenpyo Culture
October 8, 2010 (Fri) -December 12, 2010 (Sun)

Buddha at Birth

Heiseikan

The Great Buddha of Todaiji temple in Nara was initially built over 1250 years ago by order of Emperor Shomu and Empress Komyo as a prayer for peace in Japan and the world beyond. Featuring works related to the Great Buddha, this exhibition looks into the spiritual aspects of the project, as well as the essence of Tenpyo-era culture. Exhibits will include: bronze panels from the octagonal lantern in front of the Great Buddha Hall, votive objects, Gigaku masks used during the eye-opening ceremony of the Great Buddha, the largest ancient example of a "Buddha at Birth" sculpture produced in Japan, a portrait statue of the temple’s first head priest Roben who devoted himself to the building of the Great Buddha, and sculptures of deities who, according to legend, manifested themselves as Buddhist priests and supported the project.
Additional masterpieces such as portrait sculptures of the priests Chogen and Kokei who contributed to the temple’s revival in the middle ages express the enduring cultural importance of the temple.

Photo: Standing Buddha at Birth, Nara period, 8th century, Todaiji temple, Nara (National Treasure)

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HIRAYAMA Ikuo and the Preservation of Buddhist Heritage
January 18, 2011 (Tue) - March 6, 2011 (Sun)

Dawn at Dayan Pagoda, Chang'an, China

Heiseikan

This exhibition honors Hirayama Ikuo’s outstanding contribution to the preservation of cultural heritage, and seeks to renew awareness of the value of heritage preservation as well as highlight challenges being faced in the field. Works on exhibit include many of the Buddhist sculptures and wall paintings which captivated Hirayama, and which originated in and around India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and Cambodia, marking the trail of Buddhism’s traversal across Asia.

Photo: "Dawn at Dayan Pagoda, Chang’an, China", By Hirayama Ikuo, 2000, Yakushiji temple, Nara

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