Animals

In Japanese art, animal shaped works have been produced ever since the Jomon period (ca. 10000 - c. 5th century B.C.) until the present for various uses including objects of worship, religious implements, daily utensils, stationery and ornaments. During the Jomon period, clay figurines of familiar animals such as wild boars and monkeys were produced. Later, after the introduction of Buddhism in the mid-6th century, dragons, Chinese shishi lions, phoenix and other sacred animals were produced prodigiously under the cultural influences of Buddhism. Among the major examples are sculptural images of shishi and komainu that guard the gates at Shinto shrines.

During the Edo period (1603-1868), paper weights and water droppers in the shape of realistically rendered animals and articulated animals were popular interior decorations. In the modern period, artists who were influenced by European art produced figures of animals as works of sculptural art.

This thematic display features animal figures from the Jomon to modern period in the museum's collection. In order to make the display more enjoyable, it is divided into three sections and arranged in chronological order: "Animals made with exquisite skill", "Small and charming animals", and "Animals that became part of objects".