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Making Works of Japanese Art : Introducing Traditional Techniques

  • Image of "Kosode (Garment with small wrist openings), Screen and falcon design on white chirimen crepe ground, Edo period, 18th century"

    Kosode (Garment with small wrist openings), Screen and falcon design on white chirimen crepe ground, Edo period, 18th century

    Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room T2
    June 15, 2010 (Tue) - July 25, 2010 (Sun)

    The TNM displays many outstanding works of traditional Japanese art. How are these artworks made?
    This exhibition introduces key techniques from four genres of traditional Japanese art using a combination of photographs, process examples made by experts, and finished works.

 Major works in this exhibition

* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.
 Lotus Sutra, Kunoji Version, Chapter 14, Heian period, dated 1141 (Important Cultural Property)
Lotus Sutra, Heikenokyo Version, Chapter 27 (Reproduction), By Tanaka Shinbi, 1925
Kosode (Garment with small wrist openings), Screen and falcon design on white chirimen crepe ground, Edo period, 18th century
Keman (Pendent Ornament) (Reproduction), Kalavinka design, By Yamawaki Yoji, Showa era, 20th century, Original: Heian period, 12th century
Related events (In Japanese)
Commemorative lecture
Title: "The History of Yuzen Dyeing Techniques"
Saturday, July 24, 2010, 13:30 - 15:00, Auditorium, Heiseikan
Lecture by: Fujii Kenzo, Adviser, Nishijin Textile Industrial Association
 Buddhist Sculpture - Multiple-Block Type Wooden Sculpture (Yosegi-zukuri ) and Inlaid Crystal Eyes
Standing Juichimen Kannon
Standing Juichimen Kannon (Ekadasamukha), Kamakura period, 13th century
   
The vast majority of Japanese Buddhist statues are made from wood, and yosegi-zukuri is one of a number of traditional methods used in their creation. Inlaid crystal (quartz) is used for the realistic eyes seen in some Buddhist statues.
cross-sectional surface1  cross-sectional surface2  cross-sectional surface3
 Calligraphy - Decorated Paper
Many works of Japanese calligraphy are written on decorated paper, and the appearance of the brush-written script over the delicate decoration gives an effect of overall harmony. Extremely fine sheets of gold and silver, known as gold and silver leaf, are used in some of the methods introduced.
 
Lotus Sutra, Kunoji Version, Chapter 14
Lotus Sutra, Kunoji Version, Chapter 14, Heian period, dated 1141 (Important Cultural Property)
   Lotus Sutra, Heikenokyo Version, Chapter 27
Lotus Sutra, Heikenokyo Version, Chapter 27 (Reproduction), By Tanaka Shinbi, 1925
  
  
 Metal Art - Line Engraving, Plow Carving and Openwork
Keman<Copy>
Keman (Pendent Ornament) (Reproduction), Kalavinka design, By Yamawaki Yoji, Showa era, 20th century, Original: Heian period, 12th century
 These techniques are used to incise or carve designs into metals such as bronze and iron to produce a variety of effects.
 
 Textiles - Yuzen Dyeing

Kosode (Garment with small wrist openings), Screen and falcon design on white chirimen crepe ground, Edo period, 18th century
Yuzen techniques are traditionally used to create detailed pictorial designs on kimono. Colors are applied with a brush and are separated by lines of starch-based paste resist. The paste is later washed away, leaving white outlines.
 
 Kosode
To prevent from the running of ink, draw the line with glue in advance.    Take off the glue after painting.   
Exhibitions