Jump to content
Font Size：

Language

Commemorating the 700th Anniversary of His Death Tradition and Revival: Zhao Mengfu and His Times

  • Image of "Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Gathering (Du Gu Copy of the Dingwu Version) with Thirteen ColophonsBy Zhao Mengfu; original by Wang Xizhi, China, Stele: Eastern Jin dynasty, 353; Rubbing: Yuan dynasty, 1310 (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujirō)"

    Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Gathering (Du Gu Copy of the Dingwu Version) with Thirteen Colophons
    By Zhao Mengfu; original by Wang Xizhi, China, Stele: Eastern Jin dynasty, 353; Rubbing: Yuan dynasty, 1310 (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujirō)

    Asian Gallery (Toyokan) Room 8
    January 2, 2022 (Sun) - February 27, 2022 (Sun)

    The poet, calligrapher, and painter Zhao Mengfu (1254–1322) was one of the most important artists of the Yuan dynasty (1279–1368). Zhao was a descendant of the Han-Chinese imperial family of the Song dynasty (960–1279). He attempted to preserve traditional culture during the Mongol-led Yuan-dynasty, which he served most of his life. In particular, his advocation for reviving ancient calligraphy styles from the Jin (266–420) and Tang (618–907) dynasties, and painting styles from the Tang and Song dynasties, had a great influence on later generations of artists.

    This exhibition—the 19th held in collaboration with the Taitō City Calligraphy Museum—introduces Zhao Mengfu’s art through four chapters: 1) Painting and Calligraphy before Zhao Mengfu, 2) Zhao Mengfu and Yuan-Dynasty Calligraphy, 3) Paintings of the Yuan Dynasty, and 4) Zhao’s Reception in the Ming Dynasty.

    List of Exhibits
 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.
Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Gathering (Du Gu Copy of the Dingwu Version) with Thirteen Colophons, By Zhao Mengfu; original by Wang Xizhi, China, Stele: Eastern Jin dynasty, 353; Rubbing: Yuan dynasty, 1310 (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujirō)
Manuscript for Stele Inscription of Xuanmiaoguan Temple Gate in Standard Script, By Zhao Mengfu, China, Yuan dynasty, 14th century
Ten Poems and Five Letters in Running and Cursive Scripts, By Xianyu Shu, China, Yuan dynasty, 13th century (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujirō, On exhibit through January 30, 2022)
Poems in Cursive Script, By Kangli Naonao; colophons by Zhang Yu, Wen Zhengming, China, Yuan dynasty, 14th century (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujirō)
Withered Trees, Ziting Zubai, China, Yuan dynasty, 14th century (Important Cultural Property, Private collection, On exhibit through January 30, 2022)
Birds on a Snowy River Bank, By Luo Zhichuan (dates unknown), China, Yuan dynasty, 14th century (Important Cultural Property, On exhibit through January 30, 2022)
Exhibitions