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Mystical Beauty: Tibetan Buddhist Art from the Museum Collection

  • Image of "Seated Sarvanivaranaviskambhi (One of the Eight Great Bodhisattvas), Qing dynasty, 18th century"

    Seated Sarvanivaranaviskambhi (One of the Eight Great Bodhisattvas), Qing dynasty, 18th century

    Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Thematic Exhibition Room
    July 26, 2022 (Tue) - September 19, 2022 (Mon)

    After Buddhism arrived in Tibet in the 7th century, a unique Buddhist culture flourished there, with Tibetan Buddhism later influencing neighboring regions like Mongolia and China.

    For the first time in 20 years, this exhibition displays some of the finest paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and calligraphic works from Tokyo National Museum’s Tibetan collection alongside articles associated with the monk Kawaguchi Ekai (1866–1945), the first Japanese person to visit Tibet.

Major works in this exhibition

* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.
Guhyasamāja Akṣobhya-vajra Mandala, the Second Mandala of the "Vajrāvalī", China, Qing dynasty, 18th century [On exhibit through August 21, 2022]
Biography of Tsongkhapa, China, Qing dynasty, 18th–19th century [On exhibit through August 21, 2022]
Raudra Cakrin, King of Shambhala, China, Qing dynasty, 18th–19th century [On exhibit from August 23, 2022]
The Buddha Amitāyus, China, Ming dynasty, Xuande era (1426 ‐ 1435)
Sarvanīvaraṇaviṣkambhin, One of the Eight Great Bodhisattvas, China, Qing dynasty, 18th century
Bell with a Nine-Pronged "Vajra", China, Ming dynasty, Xuande era (1426–1435)
Plaque with the White Protective Deity Mahākāla Holding a Wish-Granting Jewel, Jingdezhen ware, China, Ming dynasty, Wanli era (1573–1620) Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke
Tibetan-Style Pagoda, China, Qing dynasty, 19th century Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke
Standing Cakrasamvara with Consort, Nepal or Tibet, China, 15th–16th century, Gift of Mr. Hattori Shichibei
Perfection of Wisdom Sutra, Tibet or Inner China, 18th century, Gift of Mr. Sakurai Hiroshi
Esoteric Buddhist Ritual Tools and Other Articles, 19th–20th century

 

Pamphlet

Mystical Beauty: Tibetan Buddhist Art from the Museum Collection

This pamphlet is also available at the information desk in the Heiseikan during the exhibition period.

PDF 6MB)
Mystical Beauty: Tibetan Buddhist Art from the Museum Collection Cover
Mystical Beauty: Tibetan Buddhist Art from the Museum Collection Cover