Kukai's World: The Arts of Esoteric Buddhism

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Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Special Exhibition Galleries
July 20, 2011 (Wed) - September 25, 2011 (Sun)

Kukai, founder of the Shingon-sect Esoteric Buddhism, saw illustrations as effective tools for transmitting Esoteric Buddhist teachings, which are complex and difficult to explain in words. For this reason, great importance was attached to visible forms in Shingon-sect Esoteric Buddhism. This exhibition introduces masterpieces of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism, with a focus on the period when philosophical elements maintained a strong presence in the works. Along with objects brought by Kukai from Tang China, works directly related to him are also featured, such as his writings and sculptures produced under his instruction.

General Information

Period

Wednesday, July 20 - Sunday, September 25, 2011

Venue

Heiseikan, Tokyo National Museum (Ueno Park)

Hours

9:30 - 17:00
Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays until 18:00
Fridays until 20:00
(Last entry 30 minutes before closing)

Closed

Mondays(Except for Monday, August 15 and September 19)

Admission

Adults: 1,500 (1,300/1,200) yen
University students: 1,200 (1,000/900) yen
High school students: 900 (700/600) yen
Junior high school students and under: Free

*	Prices shown in ( ) indicate advance / group (more than 20 persons) discount tickets.
*	Persons with disabilities are admitted free with one accompanying person each.
*	Advance tickets are on sale at the Museum ticket office (during museum hours, 30 minutes before closing hour) and e-Ticket Pia (P-code:764-577), Lawson Ticket (L-code:33555), E-Plus, CN Playguide and other major ticketing agencies from Friday, April 1 to Tuseday, July 19, 2011.
*	Advance pair tickets (two admissions, 2200yen) are sold at the Museum ticket office (during museum hours, 30 minutes before closing hour), e-Ticket Pia (P-code:764-578), Lawson Ticket (L-code:33555), E-Plus and other major ticketing agencies from Friday, April 1 to Tuseday, May 31, 2011.
*	Special exhibition "Sun Yat-sen and Umeya Shokichi: China and Japan 100 years ago" (Tuesday, July 26 - Sunday, September 4, 2011, Honkan) requires a separate admission fee.

Access

10 minutes' walk from JR Ueno Station (Park exit) and Uguisudani Station
15 minutes' walk from Keisei Ueno Station, Tokyo Metro Ueno Station and Tokyo Metro Nezu Station

Organizer

Tokyo National Museum, The Yomiuri Shimbun, NHK, NHK Promotions Inc.

With the Support of

Agency of Cultural Affairs

With the special assistance of

Ninnaji, Daigoji, Kongobuji, Toji(Kyoogokokuji), Zentsuji, Jingoji

With the Assistance of

Association of Shingon Head Temples, Nankai Electric Railway Co., Ltd.

With the Sponsorship of

Aioi Nissay Dowa insurance Co., Ltd., Kinden Corporation, Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd., TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION, Non-Destructive Inspection Co., Ltd.

General Inquiries

03-5405-8686 (Hello Dial)

Exhibition Website

http://kukai2011.jp (In Japanese)
The website has closed with the end of the exhibition.

Highlight of the Exhibition

From the left Standing Zochoten (of the Four Heavenly Kings), Taishakuten Riding an Elephant, Daiitoku Myoo riding a bull (of the Five Bright Kings), Standing Gozanze Myoo(of the Five Bright Kings), Seated Kongoho Bosatsu (of the Five Great Bosatsu), Seated Kongogyo Bosatsu (of the Five Great Bosatsu), Seated Bonten, Standing Jikokuten (of the Four Heavenly Kings)
Heian period, dated 839, National Treasure, Toji (Kyoogokokuji), Kyoto

Part 1: Kukai - Father of Japanese Mikkyo
	Kobo Daishi Kamakura period, 13th century Important Cultural Property Nishiaraidaishi Sojiji, Tokyo (on exhibit from August 2 to August 28, 2011)
Beginning of a scroll
Roko shiiki (Teachings for the Deaf and Blind)　 By Kukai Heian period, 8th-9th century National Treasure Kongobuji, Wakayama (Volume 1: on exhibit from July 20 to August 21, 2011, Volume 2: on exhibit from August 23 to September 25, 2011)

Part 2: Voyage to China in Search of the Law - Studying Esoteric Buddhism and Tang Culture
	Manuscript Box, With maki-e design of hosoge flowers and mythical birds Heian period, 10th century National Treasure Ninnaji, Kyoto (on exhibit from July 20 to August 21, 2011)


Esoteric Ritual Objects Brought to Japan by Kukai Tang Dynasty, 9th century National Treasure Toji (Kyoogokokuji), Kyoto		Monk's Staff Headpiece Tang Dynasty, 8th century National Treasure Zentsuji, Kagawa
		Fuku
Niche with Various Buddha Figures Brought to Japan by Kukai Tang Dynasty, 8th century National Treasure Kongobuji, Wakayama		Seven Patriarchs of the Shingon Sect By Li Zhen (Zenmui, Kongochi, Fuku, Ichigyo, and Keika images), brought to Japan by Kukai Tang Dynasty, dated 805(Zenmui, Kongochi, Fuku, Ichigyo, and Keika images) and Heian period, dated 821(Ryumo and Ryuchi images) National Treasure Toji (Kyoogokokuji), Kyoto, (Ryumo,Zenmui: on exhibit from July 20 to August 7, 2011, Ryuchi,Kongochi,Fuku: on exhibit from August 9 to September 4, 2011, Ichigyo,Keika: on exhibit from September 6 to September 25, 2011)

Part 3: The Formative Period - Jingoji, Mt. Koya, and Toji
Kongokai	Ryokai (Two Worlds) mandala, Known as the Takao mandala Heian period, 9th century National Treasure Jingoji, Kyoto (Taizokai: on exhibit from July 20 to July 31, 2011, Kongokai: on exhibit from August 2 to August 15, 2011)
Taizokai	Ryokai (Two Worlds) mandala, Known as the Blood mandala Heian period, 12th century Important Cultural Property Kongobuji, Wakayama (Kongokai: on exhibit from August 16 to September 4, 2011, Taizokai: on exhibit from September 6 to September 25, 2011)

Beginning of a scroll	Record of the Kanjo Initiation Rite By Kukai Heian period, dated 812 National Treasure Jingoji, Kyoto (on exhibit from July 20 to August 21, 2011)
The First letter	Fushinjo Collection of Letters to Saicho, By Kukai Heian period, 9th century National Treasure Toji (Kyoogokokuji), Kyoto (on exhibit from August 23 to September 25, 2011)

Part 4: The Light of the Law - Passing Down Kukai's Legacy

Taizokai(detail)		(detail)
Ryokai (Two Worlds) mandala, Known as the Saiin mandala Heian period, 9th century National Treasure Toji (Kyoogokokuji), Kyoto (Taizokai: on exhibit from July 20 to August 21, 2011, Kongokai: on exhibit from August 23 to September 25, 2011)		Taishakuten (of the Twelve Heavenly Guardians) Heian period, 9th century National Treasure Saidaiji, Nara (on exhibit from August 9 to August 28, 2011)


Amida Nyorai with Attendants Heian period, dated 888 National Treasure Ninnaji, Kyoto		Seated Nyoirin Kannon Bosatsu Heian period, 9th century Important Cultural Property Daigoji, Kyoto

Beginning of a scroll

Record of the History and Inventory of Kanshinji
Heian peirod, dated 883
National Treasure
Kanshinji, Osaka
(on exhibit from July 20 to August 21, 2011)

Yakushi Nyorai with Attendants
Heian period, dated 913
National Treasure,
Daigoji, Kyoto

Exhibit for only 10 days

Three-pronged Vajra Club, Known as the "Flying three-pronged vajra club" Attributed to Kukai's possessions Heian period, 9th century Important Cultural Property Kongobuji, Wakayama (on exhibit from July 31 to August 11, 2011)		Gold Prayer Beads Attributed to Kukai's possessions Tang Dynasty, 9th century Ryukoin, Wakayama (on exhibit from July 20 to July 30, 2011)

Exhibitions

Kukai's World: The Arts of Esoteric Buddhism

General Information

Highlight of the Exhibition

Part 1: Kukai - Father of Japanese Mikkyo

Part 2: Voyage to China in Search of the Law - Studying Esoteric Buddhism and Tang Culture

Part 3: The Formative Period - Jingoji, Mt. Koya, and Toji

Part 4: The Light of the Law - Passing Down Kukai's Legacy

Exhibit for only 10 days

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