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- Feature Exhibition Rulers of the Heavens: Celebrating the Year of the Dragon
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General Information
- Exhibition Title
-
Feature Exhibition
Rulers of the Heavens: Celebrating the Year of the Dragon
- Period
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January 2–February 12, 2024
- Venue
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Heisei Chishinkan Wing, Galleries 2F-2,3,4
- Closed
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Mondays
*The museum will be open on Monday, January 8 and February 12, and closed on Tuesday, January 9, 2024.
- Museum Hours
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9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (Entrance Until 4:30 p.m.)
Open until 7:00 p.m. on Fridays (Entrance Until 6:30 p.m.)
Extended Evening Hours: Fridays, January 2 to March 24, 2024
- Admission
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Adult 700 yen University Student
(ID required)350 yen - Admission fee includes admission to all galleries in the Heisei Chishinkan Wing.
- Admission is free for high school students and other youths age 0 – 17, seniors over 70, visitors with disabilities and one caretaker, and for Campus Members (including faculty). Please show ID.
- Admission for school groups: Admission to the Collection Galleries is free for elementary school, middle school, and high school students on school fieldtrips as well as teachers serving as their guides.
Description of Exhibition
This annual New Year’s exhibition celebrates the zodiac animal of 2024, the dragon. Although the dragon is the only mythical creature among the twelve zodiac signs, in the past many people believed in dragons and celebrated them as auspicious animals that might actually appear on rare occasions.
Precisely because artists could not observe actual dragons themselves, they used their imaginations to depict these mythical beasts in various representations, be they powerful, elegant, or whimsical. What is your favorite type of dragon in this exhibition?
1. The Shape of Dragons
Although no one has seen them in real life, everyone knows what dragons look like. However, the depiction of dragons has actually varied over time depending on the period, region, and artist depicting them. Let us first look at some of the different ways in which dragons have been represented.
Semi-Circular Eave-End Roof Tile with Confronted Dragons
Kyoto National Museum
2. Dragons Rule!
Dragons were considered the leaders of all the creatures with scales. With their mystical abilities to control clouds and water, dragons became a symbol of power and authority. In fact, for a certain time in China, a special five-clawed dragon was only depicted on items used by the emperor and his family.
Dragon Robe
Kyoto National Museum
3. Depicting Dragons
There are various standard themes used in representations of dragons. These include “Ascending Dragons and Descending Dragons,” “Dragons and Clouds,” and “Dragons and Tigers.” What kinds of dragon themes can you find in this gallery?
Rising Dragon in Ink
By Gao Qifeng
Kyoto National Museum
4. Legends of Dragons
Dragons have often appeared in ancient tales. Within these stories, what kind of relationship existed between humans and dragons?
Important Art Object
Tales of the Hidaka River
5. Dragon-Like Creatures
Within art, there are mythical animals that look similar to dragons and yet have slight differences. See if you can learn to identify their special characteristics.
Portable Sewing Box with Dragons, Birds, and Flowers
Kyoto National Museum
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