Children in Art

In order to celebrate Children's Day, on May 5th, the Tokyo National Museum is pleased to announce its exhibition of Children in Art. Children are often used in art to convey a sense of innocence, one that cannot be done as easily by adults. Crying Child is made of Parian ware, a type of white porcelain with a surface resembling statuary marble. He stands with the remains of a bowl at his feet and one hand to his face to wipe away tears. This evokes a feeling, captured in stone, which many may have experienced before.

The image of mother and child, also evokes strong feelings. However, often in Western art, even babies look like young adults. If one looks at children in Japanese art though, children look more innocent. For example, the archetype of a baby is a for many Japanese Gosho doll, which has a round face and a large head. This image is also seen in Karako, Chinese-style child figures. Their appearances are uniform so they lack the realism of the Crying Child, but show the differences between Eastern and Western art.

Many think the most adorable sight is a sleeping infant being carried on their parent's back. The number of children born in Japan is declining nowadays. Additionally, more people are using strollers, so the sight of a child being carried on their mother's back is also becoming an increasingly rare. However, a 1500 year-old Haniwa statue of a mother carrying her baby on her back will continue to carry her child and never use a stroller.

Perhaps the best examples of child images those of Prince Shotoku, who is credited with writing Japan's first constitution in 610. He was also largely responsible for the introduction of Buddhism into Japan. His deified child-like image is honored in temples.