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Treasures of the Tokiwayama Bunko Foundation: Commemorating Its 80th Anniversary

  • Image of "Dying Verse, By Qingzhuo Zhengcheng, Nanbokuchō period, 1339 (Lent by the Tokiwayama Bunko Foundation, Tokyo, National Treasure)"

    Dying Verse, By Qingzhuo Zhengcheng, Nanbokuchō period, 1339 (Lent by the Tokiwayama Bunko Foundation, Tokyo, National Treasure)

    Asian Gallery (Toyokan) Room 8
    August 29, 2023 (Tue) - October 22, 2023 (Sun)

    The history of the Tokiwayama Bunko Foundation dates back to 1943, when the first director, Sugahara Michinari (served from 1954 to 1981), began collecting old works of art. Today, the collection stands as one of the highest quality art collections in Japan, and the foundation has loaned many works of art to the Tokyo National Museum since 2018. This year, the foundation is celebrating its 80th anniversary. To commemorate this momentous occasion, this thematic exhibition traces the history of the collection and demonstrates the significance of displaying this collection at the Museum.

Major works in this exhibition

Colophon for a Painting Scroll by Yi Yuanji, By Feng Zizhen (born 1257), China, Yuan dynasty, 14th century  (Lent by the Tokiwayama Bunko Foundation, Tokyo, National Treasure, On exhibit through September 24, 2023)

Dying Verse, By Qingzhuo Zhengcheng (1274–1339), Nanbokuchō period, 1339  (Lent by the Tokiwayama Bunko Foundation, Tokyo, National Treasure, On exhibit from September 26, 2023)

Calligraphy on a Tablet for the Zen Ritual "Xuntang", By Wuzhun Shifan (1177–1249), China, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century  (Lent by the Tokiwayama Bunko Foundation, Tokyo, Important Cultural Property, On exhibit through September 24, 2023)

Words for the Buddhist Monk Sai, By Zhongfeng Mingben (1263–1323), China, Yuan dynasty, 14th century  (Lent by the Tokiwayama Bunko Foundation, Tokyo, Important Cultural Property, On exhibit from September 26, 2023)

Jasmine, Attributed to Zhao Chang (dates unknown), China, Southern Song dynasty, 12–13th century (Lent by the Tokiwayama Bunko Foundation, Tokyo, Important Cultural Property, On exhibit through September 24, 2023)

Seeing off a Japanese Monk Returning Home, Inscriptions by Zhong Tangjie (dates unknown) and Dou Congzhou (1135–96), China,  Southern Song dynasty, ca. 1194  (Lent by the Tokiwayama Bunko Foundation, Tokyo, Important Cultural Property, On exhibit from September 26, 2023)

Returning to the Homeland, Attributed to Shūbun; inscriptions by Gakuin Ekatsu and 12 other Zen monks, Muromachi period, 15th century  (Lent by the Tokiwayama Bunko Foundation, Tokyo, Important Cultural Property, On exhibit through September 24, 2023)

Flower Vase with Phoenix-Shaped Handles, Longquan ware, China, Box with inscription by Kanamori Sōwa, Southern Song–Yuan dynasty, 13th century  (Lent by the Tokiwayama Bunko Foundation, Tokyo, On exhibit from September 26, 2023)

Water Pitcher with Clouds, China, Southern Song dynasty, 12th–13th century (Lent by the Tokiwayama Bunko Foundation, Tokyo)