Buddhist Paintings with Yamato-e Landscapes

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The Descent of the Buddha Amida with Divine Attendants (detail), Kamakura period, 14th century (On exhibit from October 31, 2023)

Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 3
September 20, 2023 (Wed) - December 3, 2023 (Sun)

The painters of the imperial court developed a style called yamato-e, or “Pictures of Yamato (Japan).” They adapted techniques from Chinese painting traditions in order to portray Japanese stories, customs, and landscapes.

During the Heian period (794–1192), the court painters began to collaborate with the painters of Buddhist images. As a result, natural scenery painted in the yamato-e style was incorporated into images of Buddhist gods, monks, and other figures.

In conjunction with the special exhibition, Yamato-e: Traditions of Beauty from the Imperial Court, this exhibition shows how painters elegantly combined Buddhist imagery with yamato-e landscapes.

List of Exhibits

Major works in this exhibition

* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.

The Seventh of the Sixteen Arhats, Heian period, 11th century (National Treasure, On exhibit through October 29, 2023)

Gathering of Gods, Kamakura period, 14th century (On exhibit through October 29, 2023)

The Fifteenth of the Sixteen Arhats, Heian period, 11th century (National Treasure, On exhibit from October 31, 2023)

The Descent of the Buddha Amida with Divine Attendants, Kamakura period, 14th century (On exhibit from October 31, 2023)

Wall Painting in the Phoenix Hall of Byōdōin Temple: The Lowest Form of the Highest Grade (Copy), Copied by Tanaka Totsugen, Original: Byōdōin Temple, Edo period, 19th century; original: Heian period, 11th century (On exhibit through October 29, 2023)

Wall Painting in the Phoenix Hall of Byōdōin Temple: The Highest Form of the Middle Grade (Copy), Copied by Tanaka Totsugen, Original: Byōdōin Temple, Edo period, 19th century; original: Heian period, 11th century (On exhibit from October 31, 2023)

Wall Painting in the Phoenix Hall of Byōdōin Temple: Imagining the Pure Land (Copy of the Left Section), Copied by Tanaka Totsugen, Original: Byōdōin Temple, Edo period, 19th century; original: Heian period, 11th century (On exhibit from October 31, 2023)

Wall Painting in the Phoenix Hall of Byōdōin Temple: Imagining the Pure Land (Copy of the Right Section), Copied by Tanaka Totsugen, Original: Byōdōin Temple, Edo period, 19th century; original: Heian period, 11th century (On exhibit from October 31, 2023)

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