Theater

Theater program: Nov. 26, 2014 - Jan. 31, 2015

Fujiwara Clan's Sutra Container and Sutra Case: The Prayers and Splendor of the Heian Aristocracy

[4K Cinema] English audio guide available / about 16 min.

This video delves into the historical and artistic significance of three National Treasure-designated sutra receptacles unearthed from the temple complex at Kinpusen, in Yoshino, Nara prefecture. The gilt bronze sutra container and two gold and silver-decorated bronze sutra boxes--one with paired birds and another with Buddhist flowers--originally held sutras that were buried as votive offerings by Fujiwara Michinaga (966-1028), once the most powerful regent in Japan, during a pilgrimage to the sacred mountain site. Through footage of present day Kinpusen and Enryaku-ji on Mt. Hiei, as well documentary evidence provided by Michinaga's diary Mido Kanpaku ki, we discover the historical and artistic significance of these National Treasures. Close up views of the inscriptions and the designs inscribed into these vessels give us a sense of the aspirations of their patron as well as the Pure Land adoration that was so prevalent in the culture of the Heian court.

Fujiwara Clan's Sutra Container and Sutra Case
a scene in "Fujiwara Clan's Sutra Container and Sutra Case"

Showtimes
Lecture Theater in Heisei Chishinkan Wing
Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday 13:00- / 14:00- / 15:00-
*Theater is closed every Saturday and January 13 and 25.

A Revived Landscape: The Sliding Door Panel Paintings of Daisen-in Temple

[4K Cinema] English audio guide available / about 20 min.

One of the temple-owned masterworks entrusted to the Kyoto National Museum is a set of thirty-two ink-painted sliding door panels (fusuma) from the subtemple of Daisen-in, part of the Kyoto Zen complex of Daitoku-ji. In later years, these paintings were removed from their door panels and remounted as hanging scrolls. This video uses the magic of virtual reality technology to return these paintings to their original formats and place them dynamically in situ, into their original temple settings. Its immersive, detailed videography introduces the production process through which these paintings were created, their various painting styles, and other highlights of this large scale masterpiece.

A Revived Landscape
a scene in "A Revived Landscape: The Sliding Door Panel Paintings of Daisen-in Temple"

Showtimes
Lecture Theater in Heisei Chishinkan Wing
Wednesday, Friday and January 12 13:00- / 14:00- / 15:00-
*Theater is closed every Saturday and January 2, 14 and 30.

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