140th Anniversary Thematic Exhibitions: The Soaring Majesty of Dragons in Asian Art

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Dragon, From dragon and tiger set of folding screens, By Soga Chokuan, Azuchi-Momoyama - Edo period, 17th century

Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Rooms T1 & T2
January 2, 2012 (Mon) - January 29, 2012 (Sun)

As mythical creatures produced by the human imagination, the Asian dragons familiar to Japanese people first appeared in China, from where they spread to the Korean peninsula and Japan. At the start of the Year of the Dragon, we hope you will join us in our galleries to trace the history of dragons and the feelings people have held toward them by viewing works from various countries and eras.


Dragon, Jizai articulated figure By Myochin Muneaki, Edo period, dated 1713	Sujikabuto style Helmet, With purple lacing in gradation Edo period, 18th century (Gift of Mr. Matsudaira Naoakira)	Foiled Tray, Dragon and wave design in mother-of-pearl inlay Yuan dynasty, 14th century, China (Important Cultural Property)

Incense Burner, Fish turning into dragon design in underglaze blue Jingdezhen ware, Ming dynasty, 17th century, China (Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke)	Kitsuke Garment (Kabuki Costume), Dragon and wave design on white plain-weave wool Edo period, 19th century, Formerly worn by Bando Mitsue (Gift of Ms. Takagi Kiyo)

Major works in this exhibition

* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.

Metal Belt Fitting, Dragon design, From Eta-Funayama Tumulus, Nagomi-machi, Tamana-gun, Kumamoto, Kofun period, 5th - 6th century (National Treasure, Gift of Mr. Furuya Kiyoshi)
Foiled Tray, Dragon and wave design in mother-of-pearl inlay, Yuan dynasty, 14th century, China (Important Cultural Property)
Sixteen Arhats: Fourteenth Arha, Heian period, 11th century (National Treasure)
Dragon, From dragon and tiger set of folding screens, By Soga Chokuan, Azuchi-Momoyama - Edo period, 17th century
Jinbaori (Coat worn over armor), Winged dragon and wave design on scarlet wool ground, Edo period, 19th century (Gift of Ms. Takagi Kiyo)
Dragon, Jizai articulated figure, By Myochin Muneaki, Edo period, dated 1713