Jump to content
Font Size：

Language

Tibetan Esoteric Buddhism and Its Sculpture

  • Image of "Seated Usnisavijaya, China, Qing dynasty, 17th–18th century"

    Seated Usnisavijaya, China, Qing dynasty, 17th–18th century

    Asian Gallery (Toyokan) Room 12
    September 5, 2017 (Tue) - October 15, 2017 (Sun)

    Although Tibetan Buddhism drew heavily on Indian Buddhism, it also developed in highly unique ways. Tibetan Esoteric Buddhism, in particular, took on a more magical and ceremonial character, leading to the development of more complex artistic forms and pantheons of deities. Figures with multiple faces and arms, as inspired by Indian gods, as well as skeletons and other distinctive images were incorporated on a large scale, and no doubt astonished multitudes of believers. Tibetan Buddhism also reached nearby Mongolia and China, finding particularly strong followings in the Yuan (1271–1368) and Qing (1636–1912) dynasties.

    The Tokyo National Museum collection includes Tibetan Buddhist sculptures as well as numerous related objects created around Beijing in the Qing dynasty. From among these, the most distinctive artworks have been selected for this Thematic Exhibition in order to explore the rich world of Tibetan Buddhism and its influences.

 Major works in this exhibition
* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.
 Major works in this exhibition
* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.
Seated Sarvanivaranaviskambhi (One of the Eight Great Bodhisattvas), China, Qing dynasty, 18th century
Seated Usnisavijaya, China, Qing dynasty,17th–18th century,
Standing Cakrasamvara with Consort, 15th–16th century, Gift of Mr. Hattori Shichibei
Standing Mahakala with Six Arms, China, Qing dynasty, 17th–18th century
Seated Yellow Jambhala, China, Qing dynasty, 17th-18th century
Standing Vajrabhairava with Consort, China, Qing dynasty, 17th–18th century (Gift of Ms. Azuma Fusako)
 

Pamphlet

Tibetan Esoteric Buddhism and Its Sculpture
Tibetan Esoteric Buddhism and Its Sculpture
(In Japanese)

The pamphlet is distributed at the Information desk, Toyokan 1st  floor during the thematic exhibition period.

PDF（PDF, 2.21MB）

 

Related Event

   MYSTICAL ASIA at the Tokyo National Museum　September 5, 2017 (Tue) - October 15, 2017 (Sun)
   Come and see mysterious objects from across Asia that were attributed with magical powers such as bringing good fortune and warding off evil spirits.
Exhibitions