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Finding Cherry Blossom in the Japanese Gallery (Honkan)

  • Image of "Scenes from the Tale of Genji, Kocho ("Butterflies") Chapter (detail), By Kano Seisen'in (Osanobu), Edo period, 19th century "

    Scenes from the Tale of Genji, Kocho ("Butterflies") Chapter (detail), By Kano Seisen'in (Osanobu), Edo period, 19th century

    Japanese Gallery (Honkan)
    March 18, 2014 (Tue) - April 13, 2014 (Sun)

    To coincide with the spring opening of the Museum Garden (Saturday, March 8 – Sunday, April 13, 2014), many artworks featuring cherry blossom are on display in each room of the Honkan. Come and enjoy the various expressions of cherry blossom depicted in ancient and modern masterpieces.

    During the period of “Cherry Blossom Viewing at the Tokyo National Museum” (Tuesday, March 18 – Sunday, April 13, 2014), we are holding a cherry-blossom stamp rally. If visitors collect the stamps at 5 points within the Honkan galleries, they will be eligible to receive an original pin-back button. (You can exchange the stamps for it at the entrance of Honkan from 10:00 to closing time.)

Room 3: Courtly Art

Landscape with the Sun and the Moon

Landscape with the Sun and the Moon
Muromachi period, 16th century (Important Cultural Property)
March 25 - May 6, 2014

The winding cherry and willow trees with the surging streams create a dynamic scene in the right screen. In contrast, the calm water and the pastoral view produce a sense of serenity in the left screen. From the differences in composition and painting methods as well as the discontinuity between the two screens, presumably the screens were combined from two separate works. The sun and moon are made from gold- and silver-plated metal boards.

 

Room 7: Folding Screens and Sliding Door Paintings

Bugaku Dancers

Bugaku Dances and Music
By Kano Eigaku, Edo period, 19th century
March 25 - April 6, 2014

 

 

 

 

Room 8: Developments in Painting and Calligraphy

Scenes from the Tale of Genji, Kocho (

Scenes from the Tale of Genji, Kocho ("Butterflies") Chapter
By Kano Seisen'in (Osanobu), Edo period, 19th century
February 25 - April 20, 2014

The right screen features the Eawase chapter of The Tale of Genji, portraying a painting debate between Umetsubo and Kokiden, consorts of Emperor Reizei. In the Kocho chapter on the left screen, Umetsubo (Crown Princess Akikonomu) performs a spring Buddhist ritual. By the signature and seal, this work can be dated between 1819 and 1834, when Kano Osanobu was assigned the Hogen rank.

 

Room 8: The Arts of Daily Life

瓢形酒入Sake Ewer in the Shape of a Gourd
By Funada Ikkin, Edo period, dated 1843
March 18 - April 20, 2014

 

The gourd shape of this work is formed by joining parts of copper and shibuichi (alloy of copper and silver), with a design of the moon among clouds in silver inlay on the shoulder, and gold-plated cherry blossom on the body. Funada Ikkin was a student of Goto Ichijo, who was one of the most celebrated artisans of sword-fitting at the end of the Edo period (mid-19th century). Ikkin applied elaborate techniques for sword fittings to larger works of metal, such as this one.

 

Room 10: Ukiyo-e

All of Ukiyo-e in Room 10, in total of 41 works, feature Cherry Blossom

Beauty under the Cherry Tree 美人の花見 新吉原櫻之景色
Beauty under the Cherry Tree
By Mizuno Rocho,
Edo period, 18th century
March 25 - April 20, 2014
Beauties Viewing Cherry Blossom
By Kitagawa Utamaro,
Edo period, 18th century
March 25 - April 20, 2014
View of Cherry Blossom in the Shinyoshiwara Pleasure Quarters
By Utagawa Toyokuni,
Edo period, 19th century
March 25 - April 20, 2014

 

Room 10: Fashion in the Edo Period

Kosode (Garment with Small Wrist Openings), Double cherry blossoms, horsetails, dandelions and swallows on red figured satin Inro (Medicine case), Cherry and maple tree design in maki-e lacquer
Kosode (Garment with small wrist openings)
Double cherry blossom, horsetail, dandelion and swallow design on red figured satin ground

Edo period, 19th century
February 25 - April 20, 2014
Inro (Medicine case), Maple and cherry tree design in maki-e lacquer
Edo period, 19th century
February 25 - April 20, 2014

 

Room 11: Japanese Sculpture

Seated Nyoirinkannon Bosatsu (Cakravarti-cintamani)

Seated Nyoirinkannon Bosatsu (Cakravarti-cintamani)
Heian period, 11th century (Lent by Saidaiji, Nara)
March 4 - June 8, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Room 13: Ceramics

Bowl, Cherry tree design in overglaze enamel and openwork

Bowl, Cherry tree design in overglaze enamel and openwork
By Ninnami Dohachi, Edo period, 19th century
March 4 - May 25, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

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