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Masterpieces of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy

  • Image of "Sakyamuni Descending from the Mountain, By Liang Kai, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century (National Treasure, on exhibit through October 12, 2009)"

    Sakyamuni Descending from the Mountain, By Liang Kai, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century (National Treasure, on exhibit through October 12, 2009)

    Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Rooms T1 & T2
    September 15, 2009 (Tue) - November 8, 2009 (Sun)

    Every autumn we present "Masterpieces of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy", which features works from the Museum's collection and pieces from other collections 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 and books 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. 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.
 Sixteen Arhats: The First Arhat, Pindolabharadraja, Northern Song dynasty, 10th - 12th century (National Treasure, Lent by Seiryoji, Kyoto, on exhibit through October 12, 2009)
The Sixth Patriarch Cutting Bamboo, By Liang Kai, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century (Important Cultural Property, on exhibit through October 12, 2009)
Landscape in Snow, By Liang Kai, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century (National Treasure, on exhibit through October 12, 2009)
Red and White Hibiscuses, By Li Di, Southern Song dynasty, dated 1197 (National Treasure, on exhibit from October 14, 2009)
Summer Landscape, Attributed to Hu Zhifu, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century (National Treasure, Lent by Kuonji, Yamanashi, on exhibit from October 14, 2009)
Li Po in Stroll, By Liang Kai, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century (Important Cultural Property, on exhibit from October 14, 2009)
Sakyamuni Descending from the Mountain, By Liang Kai, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century (National Treasure, on exhibit through October 12, 2009)
Landscape in Snow, Attributed to Liang Kai, Southern Song dynasty, 13th- 14th century (National Treasure, on exhibit through October 12, 2009)
Monkey, Attributed to Mao Song, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century (Important Cultural Property, on exhibit through October 12, 2009)
Cockerel and Bamboo, By Luo Chuan, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century (Important Cultural Property, on exhibit from October 14, 2009)
Hanshan and Shide, Attributed to Yan Hui, Yuan dynasty, 14th century (Important Cultural Property, on exhibit from October 14, 2009)
Imaginary Tour through Xiaoxiang, By Li, Southern Song dynasty, 12th century (National Treasure, on exhibit from October 14, 2009)
Fayu, (Elucidation of Buddhist teachings), By Yuanwu Keqin, Southern Song dynasty, dated 1124, China (National Treasure, Gift of Mr. Matsudaira Naoaki)
Fayu, (word giving clue to religious enlightenment), Given to Muin Genkai, By Feng Zizhen, Yuan dynasty, 14th century, (National Treasure, Gift of Mr. Matsudaira Naoaki)
Shishuo Xinshu, vol.6, Tang dynasty, 7th - 8th century
Youlan Tablature in Jieshi Diao (or "Stone Tablet") Mode, vol.5, Tang dynasty, 7th - 8th century, (National Treasure)
Manuscript of Epitaphs for Wang Zhong and Shi Fu , By Huang Tingjian, Northern Song dynasty, 11th century
Three Writings in Running Script , By Mi Fu, Northern Song dynasty, 11th - 12th century
Exhibitions