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Scheduled Special Exhibitions(April, 2013 - March, 2014)

Special Exhibitions

Grand Exhibition of Sacred Treasures from Shinto Shrines
April 9, 2013 (Tue) - June 2, 2013 (Sun)

Heiseikan

From ancient times, the Japanese people have respected nature and appreciated its power that transcends human knowledge. People believed that gods resided in natural creations such as mountains, rocks, and trees. Shrines that were built to worship the gods housed statues representing deities and their accompanying divine treasures. These statues and treasures have been carefully preserved at Shinto shrines, places revered as sacred. This exhibition, on the occasion of the 62nd grand relocation of the Ise Jingu shrine, will be held with the full cooperation of Jinja Honcho (Association of Shinto Shrines) and shrines across Japan, presenting a rare opportunity for a comprehensive view of treasures and cultural heritage related to Shinto shrines and deities.

Photo:Yoshino Mikomori shinzo, Nanbokucho period, 14th century, Private collection

Details

The Beauty of Japanese-style Calligraphy
July 13, 2013 (Sat) - September 8, 2013 (Sun)

Heiseikan

The history of Japanese calligraphy developed under the influence of Chinese calligraphy techniques. As Japanese styles of social systems and culture evolved in the mid-Heian period (around the 10th century), the renowned calligraphers Ono no Tofu, Fujiwara no Sari, and Fujiwara no Kozei appeared, who established the Japanese style of calligraphy. From then on, the tradition of Japanese-style calligraphy became central in the history of calligraphy in Japan. This exhibition introduces the allure of calligraphy by looking at its history, through an array of Japanese-style calligraphy masterpieces.

Photo: Poems of Bai Juyi, By Fujiwara no Kozei, Heian period, dated 1018 (National Treasure)

Details

Kyoto from Inside and Outside: Scenes on Panels and Folding Screens
October 8, 2013 (Tue) - December 1, 2013 (Sun)

Heiseikan

Kyoto is a fascinating city that welcomes many visitors from Japan and abroad each year. As the capital of Japan for many centuries until the 19th century, Kyoto has nurtured traditional cultures and continued them for generations, a factor which is greatly connected to the city’s allure. This exhibition invites visitors to experience a unique world of Kyoto aesthetics. The displayed works focus on masterpieces of large-scale depictions of town life and seasonal views of the city known as Scenes in and around Kyoto, along with interior panel paintings that adorned three symbolic Kyoto locations: The Kyoto Imperial Palace, and Nijo Castle, and Ryoanji temple known for its rock garden. A particular highlight is the stunning display of a room of Nijo Castle, reproduced with spectacular panel paintings which have recently been restored.

Photo: Scenes In and Around Kyoto, By Iwasa Matabe, Edo period, 17th century (Important Cultural Property)

Details

Commemorative Exhibition for the Reopening of the Toyokan: Treasures of Chinese Painting from the Shanghai Museum
October 1, 2013 (Tue) - November 24, 2013 (Sun)

花卉図冊

Gallery 8, Toyokan

This exhibition features representative masterpieces of Chinese painting from the Shanghai Museum, which boasts one of the largest collections in China. Through these treasured works from the Shanghai Museum, this exhibition offers a rare opportunity to overview approximately 1000 years of Chinese painting history, from the Song and Yuan dynasties to the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Photo:Flowers, Album, Yun Shouping, Qing dynasty, 1685, Shanghai Museum, China (First-Class Cultural Heritage)

Details

Admired from Afar: Masterworks of Japanese Painting from the Cleveland Museum of Art
January 15 (Wed) - February 23 (Sun), 2014

雷神図屏風(部分)

Rooms 1 and 2, Heiseikan

This exhibition introduces the Japanese painting collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, a leading art museum in America. Through a well-balanced and extremely high-quality collection organized by themes and eras, this exhibition highlights the history and attraction of Japanese art.

Photo:God of Thunder, By Inen, Edo period, 17th century
Photography © The Cleveland Museum of Art

Details

The 60th Japan Traditional K?gei Exhibition
Engendering Beauty, Preserving Techniques: Artworks by Living National Treasures
January 15 (Wed) - February 23 (Sun), 2014

Bowl, Flowers in overglaze enamel

Rooms 3 and 4, Heiseikan

Some decorative art artists, receiving praise for their dedication to and pursuit of their art forms, are selected as Living National Treasures. This exhibition, the first of its kind, displays masterpieces by successive generations of Living National Treasures, together with famous examples of decorative art that include National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties.

Photo: Bowl, Flowers in overglaze enamel, By Imaizumi ImaemonXIII, 1996

Details

Portrait of Hasekura Tsunenaga and Nanban Art: Japan-European Exchange 400 Years Ago
February 11, 2014 (Tue) - March 23, 2014 (Sun)

Portrait of Hasekura Tsunenaga

Room 7, Honkan

This exhibit features a portrait of Hasekura Tsunenaga, which is a portrayal of Hasekura in Rome when had an audience with Pope Paul V. Together with the portrait, Europeans in Japan, as well as the Map of the World, a work reminiscent of Hasekura's travel route across the Pacific Ocean and beyond Mexico, are also introduced. These two works are examples of Nanban Art, a style of Japanese art which flourished with influences from European culture. This exhibit aims to present an aspect of cultural exchanges between Japan and Europe four centuries ago.

Photo: Portrait of Hasekura Tsunenaga, By Archita Ricci, 17th century (Private collection)

Details

Regular Exhibition

National Treasure GalleryPage Top

Exceptional work of painting and calligraphy designated as National Treasure will be exhibit on this Gallery.

Designation Name Creation Excavation Period Acquisition
Ownership
Room On exhibit
National Treasure Merrymaking Under Blossom Trees By Kano Naganobu Edo period, 17th century   Room 2, Honkan 2013/3/19 -
2013/4/14
National Treasure Hokan shu, Vol. 23   Heian-Muromachi period, 12th - 14th century Lent by Kongobuji, Wakayama Room 2, Honkan 2013/4/16 -
2013/5/26
National Treasure Illustrated Biography of Priest Ippen, Vol. 7 By Hogen En'i Kamakura period, dated 1299   Room 2, Honkan 2013/5/28 -
2013/6/23
National Treasure Full Set of Hoke kyo(Lotus sutra)(Jikoji version)   Kamakura period, 13th century Lent by Jikoji, Saitama Room 2, Honkan 2013/6/25 -
2013/8/4
National Treasure Wakatai jisshu (Treatise on poetry)
Segment of Wakatai jisshu (Treatise on poetry)
  Heian period, 11th century   Room 2, Honkan 2013/8/6 -
2013/9/8
National Treasure Illustrated History of the Founders of the Kegon Sect: Chapter on Gangyo, First Scroll   Kamakura period, 13th century Lent by Kozanji, Kyoto Room 2, Honkan 2013/9/10 -
2013/10/6
National Treasure The Testament of Monk Jie By Ryogen Heian period, dated 972 Lent by Rozanji, Kyoto Room 2, Honkan 2013/10/8 -
2013/11/10
National Treasure Maple Viewers By Kano Hideyori Muromachi - Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th century   Room 2, Honkan 2013/11/12 -
2013/12/8
National Treasure Pine Trees By Hasegawa Tohaku Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th century   Room 2, Honkan 2014/1/2 -
2014/1/26
National Treasure Autumn and Winter Landscapes By Sesshu Toyo Muromachi period, late 15th - early 16th century   Room 2, Honkan 2014/1/28 -
2013/2/23
National Treasure Portrait said to be of Fujiwara no Mitsuyoshi   Kamakura period, 13th century Lent by Jingoji, Kyoto Room 2, Honkan 2014/2/25 -
2014/3/23
National Treasure Suiten (Varuna), One of the Twelve Devas   Heian period, 9th century Lent by Saidaiji, Nara Room 2, Honkan 2014/3/25 -
2014/4/20