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140th Anniversary Thematic Exhibitions: New Year's Celebration at the Tokyo National Museum: Snakes and Serpents

  • Image of "Standing Juni Shinsho (Twelve Heavenly Generals): Shishin (Snake General), Formerly preserved by Joruriji temple, Kyoto, Kamakura period, 13th century (Important Cultural Property)"

    Standing Juni Shinsho (Twelve Heavenly Generals): Shishin (Snake General), Formerly preserved by Joruriji temple, Kyoto, Kamakura period, 13th century (Important Cultural Property)

    Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Rooms T1 & T2
    January 2, 2013 (Wed) - January 27, 2013 (Sun)

    This thematic exhibition is part of the New Year's Celebration at the Tokyo National Museum, taking place at the start of the New Year. In the Chinese zodiac, 2013 is the Year of the Snake. This exhibition features selected artworks and objects from the museum collection on the theme of snakes.

    Snakes tend to be disliked by people. Despite this, snakes are often revered for displaying mystical behavior, and have even become guardian deities or symbols of luck and fortune. These thoughts regarding snakes are reflected in the interest people take in the flexible form of snakes, as well as their varied, fascinating shapes.

    In celebration of the New Year, this exhibition introduces the world of snakes from four angles: 1, the form of snakes in Japan and abroad; 2, snakes depicted in paintings; 3, snakes in the animals of the Chinese zodiac; and 4, snakes in performance art.

Major works in this exhibition
* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.
Standing Juni Shinsho (Twelve Heavenly Generals): Shishin (Snake General), Formerly preserved by Joruriji temple, Kyoto, Kamakura period, 13th century (Important Cultural Property)
Snake, Jizai articulated figure, By Muneyoshi, Showa era, 20th century
Actor Arashi Sangoro II as A Man Holding Hand Scroll of the Character 'Snake',  By Katsukawa Shunsho, Edo period, 18th century
Five Hundred Arhats, Supernatural powers, By Kano Kazunobu, Edo period, 19th century (Gift of Princesses Fuminomiya Nobuko and Yasunomiya Toshiko)
Set of Three Sword Fittings: Menuki, Kogai and Kozuka, Animals of the Chinise zodiac design, By Mitsutaka, Edo period, 18th century (Gift of Mr. Kawada Ryokichi)
Noh Mask, Ja type, Edo period, 17th century
Surihaku Garment (Noh costume), Triangle design on white ground, Edo period, 18th century
Bugaku Dance, By Tanaka Totsugen, Edo period, 18th century

 

Related Events
Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Auditorium  January 5, 2013 (Sat)   13:30 - 15:00   RESERVE_DAY
January 2, 2013 (Wed) - January 27, 2013 (Sun)   9:30 - 17:00 (last admission at 16:30)  
Exhibitions