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The Many Faces of Mice

  • Image of "Toggle (Netsuke) in the Shape of a Mouse with Beans, Meiji era, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Ueda Reikichi)"

    Toggle (Netsuke) in the Shape of a Mouse with Beans, Meiji era, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Ueda Reikichi)

    Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Rooms T1 & T2
    January 2, 2020 (Thu) - January 26, 2020 (Sun)

    The Chinese Zodiac is also used in Japan, with 2020 being the Year of the Mouse. Today many people see mice as pests, but a closer look at Japan’s arts and stories reveals that these small creatures played some very big roles.

    In an ancient myth, for example, a wise mouse saved the god Ōkuninushi. Later stories tell how mice are the servants of Daikokuten, one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune. Because mice reproduce very quickly, they were also symbols of families blessed with many children.

    All of these positive associations made mice a popular subject for art. This thematic exhibition presents a selection of artworks from the Museum collection that reveal the many faces of mice.

 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.
Story of Mice, Artist unknown, Edo period, 18th century
The Deity Daikokuten, Edo period, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Kurasawa Masao)
Bowl with a Wagtail, Glazed stoneware, Mino ware, gray-Shino type, Azuchi-Momoyama–Edo period, 16th–17th century (Important Cultural Property)
Illustrations of Various Animals, Edo period, 19th century
Case (Inrō) with MiceLacquer coating with maki-e, Meiji era, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Quincy A. Shaw)

 

Pamphlet

The Many Faces of Mice
The Many Faces of Mice

The pamphlet is also distributed at the information desk of the Honkan (Main Building) during the thematic exhibition period.

PDF（PDF, 6MB）

 

Related Events
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room T1  January 21, 2020 (Tue)   14:00 - 14:30   RESERVE_DAY
January 2, 2020 (Thu) - January 26, 2020 (Sun)   9:30 - 17:00  
Exhibitions