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Special Exhibition
Tōfuku-ji: Monumental Zen Temple of Kyoto

  • Image of "The Five Hundred ArhatsBy Kissan Minchō, Nanbokuchō period, dated 1386, Tōfuku-ji Temple, Kyoto"

    The Five Hundred Arhats
    By Kissan Minchō, Nanbokuchō period, dated 1386, Tōfuku-ji Temple, Kyoto

    Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Special Exhibition Galleries
    March 7, 2023 (Tue) - May 7, 2023 (Sun)

    Famous for its springtime greenery and autumn foliage, Tōfuku-ji is one of Kyoto’s most prominent Zen temples. It was established at the behest of Regent Kujō Michiie—the most powerful official at the imperial court—and was inspired by the great temples of Tōdaiji and Kōfukuji in Nara. Tōfuku-ji’s buildings are collectively referred to as “the façade of Tōfuku-ji” for their massive, imposing scale.

    This exhibition is the first ever to comprehensively introduce Tōfuku-ji’s temple treasures. These include The Five Hundred Arhats, a monumental work by the “painter-saint” Minchō, which will be displayed for the first time since conservation. Also included are countless examples of invaluable cultural heritage that survived the devastating Ōnin War as well as exquisite Buddhist sculptures, paintings, and works of calligraphy that mirror the grand scale of Tōfuku-ji’s buildings.

    Tracing the history of Tōfuku-ji from its early years and exploring the Zen culture that flourished through exchange with mainland Asia, this exhibition presents in depth the significance of Tōfuku-ji in Japanese culture.


Tōfuku-ji Temple
Head Temple of the Rinzai School Tōfuku-ji Sect

Tōfuku-ji is a huge temple complex in the southern part of Kyoto’s Higashiyama district. It was established on the orders of the powerful imperial official Kujō Michiie. He entrusted the founding to Enni (Shōichi Kokushi), a priest who had studied Zen Buddhism in China. The name “Tōfuku-ji” was taken from the first character of Tō-ji and the second character of Kōfuku-ji, two temples in Nara. Also known as “Garanzura,” the complex creates a striking impression with its vast array of impressive buildings, with the temple also attracting many visitors from Japan and overseas with its spectacular seasonal scenes of fresh spring verdure and autumn leaves.
During Japan’s Nanbokuchō period (1333–1392), Tōfuku-ji played a major role in propagating Zen Buddhism throughout Japan as the fifth Kyoto Gozan (Five Great Zen Temples of Kyoto). Many cultural properties related to Zen Buddhism have been passed down carefully through Tōfuku-ji and its sub-temples, including seven National Treasures and 98 Important Cultural Properties.

Highlights of the Exhibition

Chapter 1: Enni and the Founding of Tōfuku-ji Temple

 

Chapter 2: The Formation and Development of the Shōichi School

 

Chapter 3: The Legendary Buddhist Painter Minchō

 

Chapter 4: Zen Culture and International Exchanges

 

Chapter 5: Tōfuku-ji’s Monumental Buildings and Buddhist Sculptures

 

Chapter 1: Enni and the Founding of Tōfuku-ji Temple

In 1235, Enni (1202–1280) travelled to China to study under Wuzhun Shifan (J. Bujun Shiban; 1177–1249), a prominent figure in the world of Southern Song Chan (J. Zen) Buddhism. After returning to Japan, Enni established Jōten-ji Temple in Hakata, Fukuoka. He later found favor with Kujō Michiie and was entrusted with the task of founding the huge Tōfuku-ji Temple complex in Kyoto. Through numerous disasters, the temple has managed to safely pass down many treasures associated with Wuzhun and Enni, including ancient documents, calligraphy, books and portraits. Unparalleled in terms of both quantity and quality, this collection helps to illuminate the history of Sino/Japanese relations and the development of Zen Buddhism in East Asia during the 13th century, with Tōfuku-ji now one of the largest and most important medieval Zen temples in Japan.

 

Wuzhun Shifan

Inscription by Wuzhun Shifan, Southern Song dynasty, China, dated 1238
Tōfuku-ji Temple, Kyoto (National Treasure)
On exhibit from March 7 through April 2, 2023

 

Death Verse (J. Yuige)

Original by Wuzhun Shifan, Southern Song dynasty, China, 13th century
Tōfuku-ji Temple, Kyoto (Important Cultural Property)
On exhibit from April 4 through May 7, 2023

 

Chapter 2: The Formation and Development of the Shōichi School

Enni’s successors became known as the Shōichi School. Enni was a master of Esoteric Buddhism as well as Zen, with the earliest members of the Shōichi School also well-versed in Esoteric teachings. These priests often travelled to China before returning with treasures, knowledge and a greater understanding of the continent’s Zen traditions. Many works associated with these priests still exist at Tōfuku-ji and its environs. All masterpieces of Zen art, these include calligraphy, surplices and personal belongings, and portraits and sculptures. With its cosmopolitan flavor and deep love of learning, the Shōichi School produced many eminent priests and it played an influential role in Zen Buddhist circles.

 

Chikotsu Daie

Inscription by Chikotsu Daie, Kamakura period, dated 1301
Ganjō-ji Temple, Kyoto (Important Cultural Property)
On exhibit from March 7 through April 2, 2023

 

"Tiger"

Written in Large Characters, By Kokan Shiren, Kamakura–Nanbokuchō period, 14th century
Reigen-in Temple, Kyoto
On exhibit from March 7 through May 7, 2023

 

Chapter 3: The Legendary Buddhist Painter Minchō

Kissan Minchō (1352–1431) was a Buddhist painter based at Tōfuku-ji. He was held in the same regard as the great Sesshū up until the Edo period. Also known as Chō Densu, he decorated the temple’s halls and was responsible for keeping the temple clean and illuminated. While studying traditional Chinese Buddhist paintings, he developed his own simple style that fused deft ink painting with vivid coloring. He also created many works whose monumental size fitted in well with Tōfuku-ji’s vastness. This chapter introduces masterpieces by Minchō that were passed down through Tōfuku-ji and its sub-temples.

 

The Five Hundred Arhats
By Kissan Minchō, Nanbokuchō period, dated 1386
Tōfuku-ji Temple, Kyoto

On exhibit from March 7 through March 27, 2023

On exhibit from March 28 through April 16, 2023

On exhibit from April 18 through May 7, 2023

 

White-Robed Avalokiteshvara

By Kissan Minchō, Muromachi period, 15th century
Tōfuku-ji Temple, Kyoto
On exhibit from April 11 through May 7, 2023

 

Bodhidharma; Liu Haichen and Li Tieguai

By Kissan Minchō, Muromachi period, 15th century
Tōfuku-ji Temple, Kyoto (Important Cultural Property)
On exhibit from March 7 through April 9, 2023

 

Chapter 4: Zen Culture and International Exchanges

After studying Zen in China, Enni returned to Japan with many Buddhist treasures. Enni’s exchanges with China’s Buddhist circles continued after his return home, with Enni’s international network inherited by his disciples, the Shōichi School. These priests were actively involved in trade and diplomacy, with Tōfuku-ji accumulating various articles that would play a pivotal role in the development of Zen culture in Japan. In this way, Tōfuku-ji played a key role in Japanese cultural history through its development as a hub for international exchanges.

 

Imperial Readings of the Taiping Era (Ch. Taiping yulan)

Southern Song dynasty, China, 12th–13th century
Tōfuku-ji TempleTemple, Kyoto (National Treasure)
On exhibit from March 7 through May 7, 2023

 

The Sixteen Arhats

Ming dynasty, China, 15th–16th century
Yōmei-in Temple, Kyoto
On exhibit from March 7 through April 9, 2023

 

Chapter 5: Tōfuku-ji’s Monumental Buildings and Buddhist Sculptures

The sheer scale of Tōfuku-ji is symbolized by the massive temple buildings soaring up from Kyoto’s Higashiyama district and by the temple’s monumental Buddhist sculptures. When Tōfuku-ji was first built, the principle image of a seated Sakyamuni and other huge sculptures were installed in the temple’s central Shichidō (“seven-hall”) Garan compound. Tōfuku-ji subsequently survived many disasters, with numerous examples of Zen architecture, sculpture, paintings and calligraphy passed down safely through its reconstructed buildings or sub-temples. As such, the temple complex still presents a magnificent sight to this day.


Tōfuku-ji Temple

Inscription by Ryōan Keigo, Muromachi period, dated 1505
Tōfuku-ji Temple, Kyoto (Important Cultural Property)
On exhibit from April 11 through May 7, 2023

Calligraphic Frames and Plates for Zen Temples

By Wuzhun Shifan and Zhang Jizhi, Southern Song dynasty, China. 13th century
Tōfuku-ji Temple, Kyoto (National Treasure)
On exhibit from March 7 through April 9, 2023

 

Standing Four Heavenly Kings "Tamonten"

Kamakura period, 13th century
Tōfuku-ji Temple, Kyoto
On exhibit from March 7 through May 7, 2023

Standing Kasyapa (J. Kashō) and Ananda (J. Anan)

Kamakura period, 13th century
Tōfuku-ji Temple, Kyoto (Important Cultural Property)
On exhibit from March 7 through May 7, 2023

 

Buddha’s Hand

From the former principal image of Tōfuku-ji Temple, Kamakura–Nanbokuchō period, 14th century
Tōfuku-ji Temple, Kyoto
On exhibit from March 7 through May 7, 2023

 

General Information

Period March 7–May 7, 2023
Venue Heiseikan, Tokyo National Museum (Ueno Park)
Hours 9:30–17:00
* Last admission 30 minutes before closing.
Closed Mondays (except for March 27 and May 1)
Admission

Visitors can view this exhibition without making reservations. Tickets may also be purchased at the ticket counter, but you may be asked to wait if the exhibition is crowded.

Adults: ¥2,100
University students: ¥1,300
High school students: ¥900
Junior high school students and under: Free

*Persons with disabilities are admitted free with one accompanying person each (please present an ID at the ticket booth).
*Visitors with tickets for this exhibition may also view the regular exhibitions on the day of their visit at no extra charge.

Access 10-minute walk from JR Ueno Station (Park exit) and Uguisudani Station
15-minute walk from Keisei Ueno Station, Tokyo Metro Ueno Station and Tokyo Metro Nezu Station
Organizers Tokyo National Museum, Tofuku-ji, The Yomiuri Shimbun, NHK, NHK Promotions Inc., Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan
With the Special Sponsorship of Canon Inc., Daiwa Securities Group, Mitsui Fudosan Co.,Ltd., MITSUBISHI ESTATE CO.,LTD., Meiji Holdings Co.,Ltd.
With the Sponsorship of East Japan Railway Company, SHIMIZU CORPORATION, TAKENAKA CORPORATION, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation
With the Support of Live Art Books Inc.
General Inquiries 050-5541-8600 (Hello Dial)
Exhibition Website https://tofukuji2023.jp/