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Family Gallery
All About Baku at the Museum

  • Image of "Frolicking Animals, Vol. 2 (Copy)Copied by Yamazaki Kunzen (1817–1893), Meiji era, 19th century; Original: Heian period, 12th century"

    Frolicking Animals, Vol. 2 (Copy)
    Copied by Yamazaki Kunzen (1817–1893), Meiji era, 19th century; Original: Heian period, 12th century

    Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 4
    May 12, 2026 (Tue) - June 21, 2026 (Sun)

    Every year, the Tokyo National Museum holds a joint thematic exhibition related to animals together with other institutions in Ueno. Along with the Ueno Zoological Gardens and the National Museum of Nature and Science, we are proud to introduce this year’s thematic exhibition on baku. Baku are mythical creatures long known in East Asia who share a similar look with tapirs from the mammal class. With elephant-like trunks, baku are believed to devour nightmares. This exhibition presents paintings and books, along with pillows and mirrors decorated with baku motifs used to ward off evil. Through comparison with the real-life tapir, we invite you to explore the form and imagery of the legendary baku.

    List of Exhibits

Major works in this exhibition

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

Pillow with Mythical Beast Baku, Cizhou ware, China,Jin–Yuan dynasty, 13th–14th century, (Gift of Mr. Naitō Gyōhō)

Frolicking Animals, Vol. 2 (Copy) Copied by Yamazaki Kunzen (1817–1893), Meiji era, 19th century; Original: Heian period, 12th century

Volume 2 of Hokusai Manga,  By Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849), Edo period, 19th century,

Pillows with Mythical Beasts Baku and Nandina, Edo period, 18th century

 

 

Pamphlet

親と子のギャラリー　bakumeguri

Family Gallery　All About Baku at the Museum

Copies are available in the gallery during the exhibition period, while stocks last.
PDF（11MB）

 

Exhibitions