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Masterpieces of Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy

  • Image of "Red and White Hibiscuses, By Li Di, Southern Song dynasty, dated 1197 (National Treasure, On Exhibit Through october 1, 2006)"

    Red and White Hibiscuses, By Li Di, Southern Song dynasty, dated 1197 (National Treasure, On Exhibit Through october 1, 2006)

    Asian Gallery (Toyokan) Room 8
    September 5, 2006 (Tue) - October 29, 2006 (Sun)

    Every autumn we present "Masterpieces of Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy", which features excellent works from the Museum's collection and pieces from other collections that are currently in the Museum's custody.

    Chinese calligraphy and paintings have been imported to Japan for a long time, and these works have had a large impact on Japanese art. A particular example of this would be the influence of works from the Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties, which were introduced together with Zen Buddhism following the Kamakura period (1192-1333). Placed in studies and tea rooms, these works provided the basis of a new way to appreciate the arts in Japan. Among the renowned Higashiyama Gomotsu Collection, which was part of the shogun's collection of art objects, books, and etc. during the Muromachi period (1336-1573), are works of representative Chinese calligraphy that can no longer be found in China.

    Since the Meiji period (1868-1912), the Japanese intellectuals have strived to follow the traditional tastes of learned Chinese, so they imported many masterpieces of Chinese painting and calligraphy.

    This exhibition has the Song masterpieces "Red and White Hibiscuses" by Li Di, "Li Po in Stroll" by Liang Kai, and "Hanshan and Side" by Yintuoluo. "Imaginary Tour through Hsiao and Hsian" by Li, one of the four famous scrolls from the Qin dynasty emperor Qian Long is also included. The "Jieshidiao Youlan vol. V, Musical Score for the Qin Zither" from the Tang dynasty and "Letter" from the Southern Song dynasty are exhibited as well.

    We hope you enjoy this opportunity to see these masterpieces from the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.

 Major works in this exhibition

* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.
 Red and White Hibiscuses, By Li Di, Southern Song dynasty, dated 1197 (National Treasure, On Exhibit Through october 1, 2006)
Sixteen Arhats:, Song dynasty, 10th - 12th century (National Treasure, Lent by Seiryo-ji, Kyoto, On Exhibit Through october 1, 2006)
Imaginary Tour through Hsiao and Hsian, By Li, Southern Song dynasty, 12th century (National Treasure, On Exhibit Through october 1, 2006)
Li Po in stroll, By Liang Kai, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century (Important Cultural Property, On Exhibit from october 3, 2006)
Hanshan and Side, By Yintuoluo, Yuan dynasty, 14th century (National Treasure, On Exhibit from october 3, 2006)
Jieshidiao Youlan vol.V, Musical Score for the Qin Zither, Tang dynasty, 7th - 8th century (National Treasure)
Guwen Shangshu vol.VI, The Text of Ancient Chinese Rulers, Tang dynasty, 7th century (National Treasure)
Collected Writings of Wang Bo, Tang dynasty, 7th - 8th century (National Treasure)
Exhibitions