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Highlights of Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy

  • Image of "Hanshan and Shide, By Yintuoluo, China, Yuan dynasty, 14th century (National Treasure)"

    Hanshan and Shide, By Yintuoluo, China, Yuan dynasty, 14th century (National Treasure)

    Asian Gallery (Toyokan) Room 8
    August 28, 2018 (Tue) - October 21, 2018 (Sun)

    Japan imported superb works of Chinese calligraphy and painting since ancient times. A large number of works from the Song and Yuan dynasties, in particular, were brought to Japan with Zen Buddhism from the Kamakura period (1192–1333) onward. They were highly prized, being used to adorn formal studies and spaces for the tea ceremony. Among these masterpieces, foremost of which are the Higashiyama Treasure, there are many objects that today can be found only in Japan, with similar works having been lost in China.

    From the Meiji era (1868–1912) onward, because of the upheaval caused by the fall of the Qing dynasty, selected works of Chinese calligraphy and painting were brought to Japan at the request of Japanese collectors with refined tastes, who idealized the literati culture rooted in Chinese tradition.

    This exhibition presents the beauty of various works of Chinese art that have been prized in Japan over the centuries.

 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.
Summer Landscape, Attributed to Hu Zhifu, China, Southern song dynasty, 12th–13th century (National Treasure, Lent by Kuonji, Yamanashi, On exhibit through September 24, 2018)
Sakyamuni Descending from the Mountain, By Liang Kai, China, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century (National Treasure, On exhibit through September 24, 2018)
Red and White Cotton Roses, By Li Di, China, Southern Song dynasty, dated 1197 (National Treasure, On exhibit through September 24, 2018)
Li Bai Strolling, By Liang Kai, China, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century (Important Cultural Property, On exhibit from September 26, 2018)
Hanshan and Shide, By Yintuoluo, China, Yuan dynasty, 14th century (National Treasure, On exhibit from September 26, 2018)
Imaginary Tour through Xiaoxiang, By Li, China, Southern Song dynasty, 12th century (National Treasure, On exhibit from September 26, 2018)
Letter in Running Script, By Wu Ju, China, Southern Song dynasty, 12th century (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
Ten Poems and Five Letters in Running and Cursive Scripts, By Xianyu Shu, China, Yuan dynasty, 13th century (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
Calligraphy for the Plaque of a Buddhist Temple, By Zhang Jizhi, China, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century (National Treasure, Lent by Tofukuji, Kyoto)
Calligraphy for the Plaque of a Buddhist Temple, By Wuzhun ShifanFormerly owned by Tofukuji, Kyoto, China, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century (Important Cultural Property, Gift of Mr. Umehara Ryuzaburo)
Quatrain in Five-character Phrases in Cursive ScriptFour Pieces in Four Hanging Scrolls, By Fu Shan, China, Ming-Qing dynasty, 17th century (Gift of Mr. Aoyama San'u)
Excerpt from the Autobiography of Huai Su in Standard Script, By Zheng Xie, China, Qing dynasty, dated 1764
Exhibitions