Past Special Exhibitions
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- Special Exhibition
Masterpieces from the Hatakeyama Memorial Museum of Fine Art: Noh, Chanoyu, and Rinpa
- Sat, October 9–Sun, December 5, 2021
- The Hatakeyama Memorial Museum of Fine Art houses the collections of Ebara Corporation founder Hatakeyama Issei (1881–1971), better known in the tea world as Sokuō. This special exhibition introduces masterworks of Japanese, Chinese, and Korean art from his museum, which has long been closed for renovation, with a focus on prized objects used in Chanoyu tea gatherings, as well as masks and costumes for the Noh theater and artworks expressing the decorative aesthetic of Rinpa. Hatakeyama marked the storage boxes of his favorite tea utensils with a red seal reading "Sokuō; Cherished Pleasures, Offered to the People" (Sokuō yoshū aigan). This phrase exemplifies his interest in not monopolizing such objects for himself but instead in sharing them with the public. Enjoy this unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the aesthetic world created by Hatakeyama Sokuō through the early artworks that he loved.
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- Special Exhibition
National Treasures of Kyoto: Preserving the Cultural Heritage of Japan's Ancient Capital
- Sat, July 24–Sun, September 12, 2021
- The early works of Japanese art that have survived to the present day have passed through many hands over time. Among them, some of the most historically and artistically significant have been designated by the Japanese government as Important Cultural Properties or National Treasures. Officially recognizing these objects is one of the many steps that Japan has taken to protect and safeguard its cultural heritage so that it may continue to be preserved, researched, and exhibited into the future.
The people of Kyoto, a former capital dating back to the Heian period (794–1185), have long treasured cultural properties and played a vital role in promoting their preservation. This historic, quintessentially Japanese city embodies the scholarship and artistry prized so highly in this country. Fittingly, Kyoto has been selected to become the new site for the governmental headquarters of the Agency for Cultural Affairs in fiscal year 2022.
This exhibition is designed to help visitors better appreciate Japan's historic and artistic heritage while detailing efforts to pass on these precious cultural objects to future generations. It shows the enduring allure and significance of Japanese art through the display of celebrated National Treasures, masterworks from the imperial collections, and other important objects associated with Kyoto. It also showcases various initiatives that have been indispensable to heritage protection and transmission—day-to-day research, disaster risk management measures, and conservation projects—beginning with the history of how these objects have been preserved in Japan.
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- Priest Gyōnen 700th Memorial Special Exhibition
The Buddhist Legacy of Jianzhen (Ganjin) and His Successors
- Sat, March 27–Sun, May 16, 2021
- The eminent Tang-dynasty Chinese Buddhist priest Jianzhen (688–763), better known by his Japanese name of Ganjin, was a highly respected master of the Vinaya (Ch: Jielü) school, which is grounded in legal codes of conduct (precepts) and ordination procedures for the Buddhist clergy. Despite his prominent position in his homeland, Ganjin agreed to leave it for Japan in order to establish the Ritsu (or Risshū) school on the invitation of Yōei and Fushō, two Japanese monks dispatched by Emperor Shōmu. After making five failed attempts to cross the sea, and going blind in the meantime, Ganjin finally reached Japanese shores on his sixth trip in the year 753. Thereafter, based out of Nara’s Tōshōdai-ji Temple, he oversaw the reception in Japan of the orthodox Chinese interpretation of the Buddhist precepts, which dramatically improved the quality and legitimacy of Japanese Buddhism.
The concept of vinaya (J: kairitsu), or precepts, comprises both the rules of discipline (J: ritsu) of the monastic community and the moral and ethical standards (J: kai) that members of the clergy and laypeople should follow in their day-to-day lives. Studying the vinaya involves reassessing the meaning of Buddhism and of what it is to be a Buddhist cleric. For this reason, dedicated monks living in times of major social change have often looked back to these fundamental precepts before launching movements to reform and revitalize Japanese Buddhism. This was particularly the case during the Kamakura period, which saw the emergence of a series of brilliant priests from temples in or around the ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto. They include Kakujō (1194–1249) of Tōshōdai-ji, Eison (1201–1290) of Saidai-ji, Shunjō (1166–1227) of Sennyū-ji, and of course Gyōnen (1240–1321) of Tōdai-ji, whose 700-year memorial is being celebrated with this exhibition. These scholar-monks gained widespread followings by engaging in social welfare projects that reflected vinaya disciplinary codes and mores. Vinaya regulations continued to remain relevant even into the relatively stable society of the early modern period through revival movements led by such notable priests as Myōnin (1576–1610) and Jiun (1718–1805).
This exhibition honors the memory of Ganjin, venerated as one of the true founders of Japanese Buddhism, with a selection of treasures preserved through the centuries at Tōshōdai-ji. These objects, together with masterworks from other temples associated with the vinaya and its revival over the ages, trace the Buddhist legacy of Ganjin and the various luminaries who emerged as his spiritual successors in Japan.
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- Special Exhibition in Celebration of the Emperor's Enthronement
Treasures from the Imperial Palace
- Sat, October 10–Mon, November 23, 2020
- In 2019, with the enthronement of the emperor and empress, Japan formally entered into the new Reiwa era. This special exhibition commemorates this celebratory occasion with works from the ancient capital of Kyoto, home to Japan's rich imperial court culture. The exhibition also features masterworks from the Museum of Imperial Collections, the Sannomaru Shōzōkan.
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- Special Exhibition
Kannon Worship: The Thirty-three Pilgrimage Sites of Western Japan
- Thu, July 23–Sun, September 13, 2020
- The Thirty-three Pilgrimage Sites of Western Japan (J., Saikoku sanju-sansho) was purportedly established by Priest
Tokudō (dates unknown), the founder of Hase-dera Temple in Nara, in 718. According to legend, Priest Tokudō
received an oracle from the King of Hell, Enma, "Many have been sent to hell because of their evil deeds in previous
lives. Please teach people that they can acquire merit by visiting the sacred sites of Kannon (Skt., Avalokiteśvara)
and the compassionate mind of this bodhisattva." He was then bestowed a written pledge and thirty-three seals in
the shape of a wish-fulfilling jewel, which were passes to birth into Buddhist paradise. The thirty-three temples that
Priest Tokudō distributed these seals became part of the belief in sacred Kannon sites and Japan's oldest pilgrimage
route, in which talismans were distributed.
The overall distance of this route extends approximately 1000 kilometers, encompassing the Kinki region
from Wakayama, Osaka, Hyogo, Kyoto, Nara, Shiga, and Gifu prefectures. The concentration of a third of these
pilgrimage sites in Kyoto, the longstanding capital of Japan and center of culture, led to the spread of belief in
Kannon and the culture of pilgrimages throughout Japan.
On the occasion of 1300 years since the founding of the Thirty-three Pilgrimage Sites of Western Japan,
this exhibition celebrates this pilgrimage in Kyoto, which has deep ties to this practice. Introduced here through
stunning images of the bodhisattva Kannon and treasures from these sites is the allure of this pilgrimage, which
attracts people even today, regardless of age, gender or nationality. On exhibit are numerous objects that have been
preserved and passed down together with belief in Kannon.
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- The Thirty-Six Immortal Poets:
Elegant Arts of the Classical Japanese Court
- Sat, October 12-Sun, November 24, 2019
- Exactly one hundred years ago, in 1919, Japan's newspapers were abuzz with extraordinary news. A group of industrialist connoisseurs had acquired one of the country's most precious art treasures: a set of thirteenth-century handscrolls known as the Satake Version, Thirty-Six Immortal Poets. Even more surprising was the fact that these wealthy financiers were going to separate the handscrolls into individual fragments to be divided amongst themselves and remounted as hanging scrolls for private use in their own tearooms.
Thereafter, to possess one of these Satake fragments came to be seen as the ultimate Japanese status symbol, defining its owner as an undisputed member of the country's cultural elite. Over the course of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, the paintings moved from private collection to private collection, their whereabouts often unknown even to specialists.
This exhibition re-unites these paintings in the most comprehensive assemblage ever held since their dispersal a century ago. In addition to the legendary fragments themselves, the show features an array of exquisite artworks related to the Thirty-Six Immortal Poets and the elegant literary court culture from which they developed.
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- Priest Shinkyō 700th Memorial Special Exhibition
Art of the Ji Shū
A New Sect of Buddhism in the Kamakura Period
- Sat. April 13 - Sun. June 9, 2019
- The Ji Shū, or Time sect, is one of the new schools of Buddhism that emerged in the Kamakura period (1185–1333). Based on Pure Land teachings, it is known for its emphasis on itinerant practice (yūgyō) and Dancing Nenbutsu (odori nenbutsu). Though founded by the priest Ippen (1239–1289), the Ji Shū coalesced as a religion under Ippen's disciple Shinkyō (1237–1319), the second Ji Shū patriarch. This major exhibition of masterworks from Ji Shū temples honors the 700th memorial of Shinkyō's death. A highlight is the set of twelve handscrolls Illustrated Biography of the Priest Ippen, from Shōjōkō-ji (Yūgyō-ji) Temple. Designated a National Treasure of Japan, these will be shown in their entirety in Kansai for the first time in seventeen years. The exhibition also features sculptural and painted portraits of early patriarchs of the Ji Shū and other significant works of art related to this religious tradition.
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- Special Exhibition; Swords of Kyoto: Master Craftsmanship from an Elegant Culture
- Sat. September 29 - Sun. November 25, 2018
- From the ancient times to the present, the former imperial capital of Kyoto has been home to some of Japan's most talented swordsmiths, who have produced many famous blades. Though swords made in various regions are associated with "Yamashiro" (the former name of the province around Kyoto), those actually made in the capital have always had the highest status, prized by nobility and samurai alike. During the Edo period (1615–1868), swords were frequently exchanged among daimyo lords, and a sword from Kyoto was considered the ultimate gift.
This exhibition features seventeen National Treasure swords made by Yamashiro (Kyoto), smiths together with outstanding tachi, katana, and other blades produced by associated master swordmakers between the Heian (794 –1185) and Heisei (1989–present) periods. Also on view are a selection of important paintings, works of calligraphy, dolls, and other objects that help us understand the history of the Yamashiro smiths and their influence on Japan's sword culture. These works and the stories surrounding them help clarify the role of swords in Japan, the value they were accorded by Kyoto's aristocracy, warrior class, and townspeople, and the influence they had on Kyoto culture.
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- Special Exhibition; The Genius of Ike no Taiga: Carefree Traveler Legendary Painter
- Sat. April 7 - Sun. May 20, 2018
- Eighteenth century Kyoto produced some of the most distinctive and original painters in Japanese history, including big names such as Maruyama Ōkyo (1733–1795) and Itō Jakuchū (1716–1800). But even amongst this star-filled lineup, the artist Ike no Taiga (1723–1776), stands with fellow painter Yosa Buson (1716–1783) as the leader of the Chinese-influenced literati style of painting known as Nanga (“Southern painting”). Taiga's works are done in a brisk, unfettered style said to exemplify the artist's generous, humble character and indifference to fame and fortune.
This major exhibition covers Ike no Taiga's long career from his earliest trials through his mature works, giving a comprehensive picture of his lifelong career as an artist. In addition to these paintings, the exhibition will introduce materials showing Taiga's broad social interactions, and revealing the delightful, freewheeling personality that was Ike no Taiga. One more feature of this exhibition is the focus on Taiga's extensive travels throughout Japan as an itinerant painter and the influence of these wanderings on his artistic output.
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- Kyoto National Museum 120th Anniversary Commemorative Special Exhibition; National Treasures: Masterpieces of Japan
- Tue. October 3 - Sun. November 26, 2017
- The history of the Kyoto National Museum is closely related to the history of Japan’s National Treasures. It was 120 years ago that the museum opened; in that same year of 1897, the term “National Treasures” was first used as part of the newly enacted Law for the Preservation of Old Shrines and Temples. To celebrate this landmark anniversary, the Kyoto National Museum presents a major special exhibition of Japan’s National Treasures, the first showing of its kind in over forty years.
What constitutes a National Treasure? The term “National Treasure” is the highest designation given by the government of Japan to a very small number of artworks and artifacts of unique and extraordinary historical, artistic, and scholarly merit. Most importantly, these rarest of works eloquently and exquisitely bespeak the history and culture of Japan and its people. The Kyoto National Museum’s exhibition will feature approximately two hundred National Treasures, including painting, calligraphy, sculpture, decorative arts, and archeological artifacts, shown in several installations over the exhibition period. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to encounter some of the most beautiful and significant works in Japanese history.
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- Kyoto National Museum 120th Anniversary Commemorative Special Exhibition
Kaiho Yusho
- Tue. April 11 - Sun. May 21, 2017
- The artist Kaihō Yūshō (1533–1615) is revered as one of the greatest painters of the Momoyama period (1573–1615), Japan’s golden age. Yūshō had an unusual biography for an artist: he was born into an elite samurai family and even spent time in the Zen temple of Tōfuku-ji in Kyoto. Instead of serving as a warrior, however, he chose to become a painter, studying under the preeminent Kano school. Giving up the sword for the brush allowed Yūshō to survive the turbulent era that took the lives of his father and older brother—the latter at the hand of warlord Oda Nobunaga (1534 –1582).
Yūshō ‘s artistic genius and cultural sophistication made him one of the most sought after artists of his day, on par with such luminaries as Kano Eitoku (1543–1590) and Hasegawa Tōhaku (1539–1610). He was called upon to create major suites of paintings for leading temples around Kyoto as well as for the aristocracy and even the emperor himself. Yūshō was also active in poetry and the Way of Tea.
This groundbreaking exhibition gathers together works from Kaihō Yūshō’s entire career, from rare early paintings through mature masterworks. Don’t miss the most important retrospective ever held of this celebrated Momoyama master.
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- Sakamoto Ryōma: Japan's Favorite Hero
- Sat. October 15 - Sun. November 27, 2016
- Sakamoto Ryōma (1836–1867) is one of Japan’s most beloved historical figures. As a loyalist to the Emperor, he played an essential role in the overthrow of Japan’s feudal Edo period shogunate, paving the way towards the establishment of the modern Meiji government. Born in Tosa province (today’s Kochi prefecture), Ryōma, as he is popularly known, was assassinated 150 years ago in Kyoto, leaving behind numerous letters, documents, artworks, and historical objects, including recent discoveries. Ryōma’s letters reveal a free-spirited, unconventional approach to life and an affectionate relationship with his family. This exhibition examines the personality and vision of Japan’s most revered hero amidst the tumultuous history of the late Edo period (1615–1868).
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- The Art of ZEN From Mind to Form
- Tue. April 12 - Sun. May 22, 2016
- Zen is one of the words most commonly associated with Japan, but in reality it is a tradition that originated in India. Approximately 1500 years ago, the Indian priest Bodhidharma brought Zen’s teachings and practices to China, where it spread under such eminent priests as Linji Yixuan (J: Rinzai Gigen, died 866). When Zen Buddhism arrived in medieval Japan, it was patronized primarily by members of the elite, including shoguns and feudal lords, as well as the imperial family and aristocracy. Eventually Zen spread to all levels of society during the Edo period (1615–1868) through the activities of priests such as Hakuin Ekaku (1685–1769). This exhibition, drawn from the collections of Japan’s most important Rinzai and Obaku Zen temples, features an unprecedented selection of Zen masterpieces—priest’s portraits, calligraphy, sculpture, paintings, textiles, ceramics, ritual objects, and more—exemplifying the Zen mind in visual form.
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- RINPA: The Aesthetics of the Capital
- Sat. October 10 - Mon. November 23, 2015
- 2015 marks the 400th anniversary of the origins of Rinpa and nearly 300 years since the death of its eponymous artist Ogata Kōrin. Among the various anniversary celebrations taking place in Japan this year, the Kyoto National Museum's commemorative special exhibition is perhaps the ultimate presentation of this subject, tracing the transmission of the Rinpa aesthetic from its inception through the Edo period (1615–1868). Significantly, it is also the first major show of its kind to be held in the birthplace of Rinpa—the ancient capital of Kyoto.
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- Kano Painters of the Momoyama Period: EITOKU'S LEGACY
- Tue. April 7 - Sun. May 17, 2015
- 2015 marks the 400th anniversary of the 1615 Siege of Osaka, after which the reins of Japanese political power transferred from the Toyotomi clan to the Tokugawa, changing the course of history for centuries to follow.
How did the Kano manage to hold their ground and even boost their standing as official painters to the Edo shogunate in the midst of such massive upheaval? In this special exhibition, the history of the Kano school's existential fight is elucidated through brilliant works of art, along with explanations of their historical contexts and of the various figures with whom they were associated.
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- Masterpieces of Kōsan-ji Temple: Commemorating the Restoration of the National Treasure Scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Humans
- Tue. October 7 - Mon. November 24, 2014
- Among the most beloved and recognizable of all Japanese artworks is the delightful four-volume set Scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Humans (Chōjū giga), owned by the temple of Kōsan-ji (also known as Kōzan-ji). This National Treasure--frequently referenced as being the first example of manga (Japanese comics)--underwent extensive conservation between 2009 and 2013 under the auspices of the Asahi Shimbun Foundation.
This exhibition brings together all four volumes of the newly conserved Scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Humans along with a rich assortment of the most famous treasures from Myōe's temple of Kōsan-ji.
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- Pilgrimage through Minami Yamashiro: Early Buddhist Art of Southern Kyoto
- Tue. April 22 - Sun. June 15, 2014
- Located at the basin of Kizu River in southern Kyoto Prefecture, between Nara and Kyoto, Minami Yamashiro is scattered with early temples that convey the tradition of Buddhist faith from the Nara period (710–794) on. The Kyoto National Museum has conducted surveys of the Buddhist statues, decorative arts, calligraphy, and paintings from the temples in this area and will hold a special exhibition to introduce the numerous outstanding works of Buddhist art from this quiet mountain village.
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- Captivating Qing-dynasty Ceramics
- Sat. October 12 - Sun. December 15, 2013
- Among the celebrated, time-honored Chinese ceramic wares, the ceramics of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) stand out for its exquisite, elaborate features. Qing ware are known to have been cherished by European royalty and nobility. These valuable objects, which greatly influenced ceramic production throughout Japan, were imported to the country both during its isolation period as well as after it opened its doors to the world. This special exhibition introduces exemplary works of Qing ware and examines how the Japanese admired them through the discoveries made in recent studies.
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- Kano Sanraku and Sansetsu
- Sat. March 30 - Sun. May 12, 2013
- This unprecedented retrospective on master Kano painters Sanraku (1559-1635) and his successor Sansetsu (1590-1651) will be the first major exhibition on early modern Japanese painting at the Kyoto National Museum since the Kano Eitoku and Hasegawa Tohaku exhibitions (in 2007 and 2010 respectively). The Kano painters Sanraku and Sansetsu were active in Kyoto from the Momoyama (1583-1600) to early Edo (1600-1868) periods. Sanraku inherited the resplendent forms of Eitoku (1543-1590), and Sansetsu devised astonishingly unique ink paintings and decorative kinpekiga (paintings using bright mineral pigments, gold foil, and raised shell-white surfaces). Numerous masterful works--including rich, magnificent screen and wall paintings, representative examples, pieces in overseas collections that will be returning to Japan for the first time, newly discovered paintings, as well as those exhibited for the first time in public--will be presented in this dazzling retrospective, which is sure to captivate museum visitors.
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- Ultimate Beauty: The Calligraphy of Japanese Emperors
- Sat. October 13 - Sun. November 25, 2012
- Surprising as it may be, the successive generation of Japanese emperors have left us with many works written in their own hand. Especially noteworthy are shinkan, or calligraphic works by emperors. The range of these writings is rich in variety and extends from private matters to wishes for national peace. All these works reflect the elegance and style of a sovereign and are indeed the "calligraphy of monarchs."Ultimate Beauty brings together nearly 140 magnificent works by emperors from the Nara (710-794) to the Showa (1926-1989) periods.
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- The Grand Izumo Exhibition: Commemorating the Renovation of Izumo Taisha Shrine and 1300 Years of the Kojiki Chronicle
- Sat. July 28 - Sun. September 9, 2012
- This year marks the 1300th anniversary since the compilation of Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters) and next year, 2013, is the grand installation ceremony of Izumo Taisha, which takes place for the first time in almost sixty years. In commemoration of this, the Kyoto National Museum will hold an unprecedented exhibition introducing treasures from the ancient Izumo shrines and closely affiliated temples as well as artifacts excavated from historic sites in Izumo in a single venue. This exhibition includes new discoveries made during preparatory surveys. Presented will also be an overview of Izumo legends, the beginning of Izumo Shrine, and the forms of prayers offered to the gods and buddhas by the ancient and medieval people of Izumo.
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- The Efflorescence of Heian Court Culture: Treasures from the Yomei Bunko Collection
- Tue. April 17 - Sun. May 27, 2012
- This special exhibition highlights masterworks from the Yomei Bunko Collection, which comprises of early books and documents from the Konoe clan, one of the five Fujiwara regent families. Featured in this unprecedented exhibition will be eight National Treasures and sixty Important Cultural Properties, including historic works such as the National Treasure-designated Mido kanpaku ki (Records by the Regent of Great Hall [Hojo-ji Temple]) handwritten by Regent Fujiwara Michinaga (966-1027) and the Important Cultural Property-designated Letter by Fujiwara Tadamichi, as well as outstanding calligraphic works such as the National Treasures Wakansho (also known as the Konoe edition of Wakan roeishu (Collection of Japanese and Chinese Poems)) and Otekagami (Large Album of Exemplary Calligraphy).
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- Modern Chinese painting and Japan
- Sat. January 7 - Sun. February 26, 2012
- This exhibition showcases works by the modern Chinese painters Wu Changshi (1844-1927), Qi Baishi (1864-1957), Gao Jianfu (1879-1951), and Xu Beihong (1895-1953), as part of the Suma Collection, which was donated to the Kyoto National Museum in recent years. The exhibition also explores the diverse developments made in Chinese paintings from this period. The impact of modern material civilization from the West shook traditional China and incited revolution. Chen Shizeng (1876-1923), Gao Jianfu, Xu Beihong, and others who became innovative leaders of the modern Chinese painting circles were deeply connected to Japan, and the role that Japan played in modernizing Chinese painting was not insignificant. This exhibition also presents a glimpse into the cultural exchanges that went on between China and Japan in the modern era.
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- The Lineage of Culture - The Hosokawa Family Eisei Bunko Collection
- Sat. October 8 - Wed. November 23, 2011
- The Eisei Bunko Museum, located in Mejiro, Tokyo, was founded to preserve and pass down the collection of the Hosokawa family, the former daimyo of Kumamoto Prefecture. The collection consists of over 80,000 objects that include works associated with successive family heads as well as art acquired in modern times. This exhibition presents selected works that embody the history of this prestigious family that was known for its accomplishments in both the literary and military arts.
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- Honen: The Life and Art of the Founder of the Pure Land Buddhist Sect
- Sat. March 26 - Sun. May 8, 2011
- Honen Shonin (1133-1212), the founder of the Pure Land Sect, Jodo Shu, taught the nenbutsu, or chanting the Name of Amitabha Buddha, Namu Amida Butsu, for the salvation of all people in the late Heian period (794-1185). This exhibition commemorates 800 years since the passing of this Buddhist master by presenting his life and teachings through various cultural objects. Highlighted will be the National Treasure biography on Honen, Honen Shonin den (Life of Honen, also known as the Biography in Forty-eight Scrolls). Works related to Master Honen's followers and contemporaries will also be exhibited.
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- Celebrating Fifty Years of the Ueno Collection at the Kyoto National Museum
Spirit of Brush and Ink: The World of Chinese Paintings and Calligraphies
- Sat. January 8 - Sun. February 20, 2011
- This year marks fifty years since the donation of the Ueno Collection - the nucleus of the museum's Chinese paintings and calligraphies. Included in this generous gift is the celebrated album of rubbings from the Song steles engraved with the calligraphy by Wang Xizhi, which is the most famous example of Wang Xizhi's Seventeen Books of Exemplary Calligraphy. To commemorate this major milestone, this masterpiece along with other related works will be exhibited. We hope visitors to the museum will take this opportunity enjoy the subtle beauty of Chinese paintings and calligraphies.
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- Commemorating 60 Years Since the Enactment of the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties of Japan
Transmitting Robes, Linking Minds--The World of Buddhist Kasaya
- Sat. October 9 - Tue. November 23, 2010
- The kesa (Skt., kasaya), or priest's stole, appears prominently among the garments worn by Buddhist priests. Temples in Japan treasure the kesa reputedly worn by eminent Heian-period (794-1185) priests, such as the founder of the Shingon sect Kukai (774-783) and the founder of the Tendai sect Saicho (767-822), and renowned Zen masters, such as Wuzhun Shifan (J., Bujun Shbhan, 1178-1249) and Muso Soseki (1275-1351). This exhibition -the first of its kind- brings together these and other works to trace Buddhism in Japan and the history of textiles as seen through the kesa.
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- HASEGAWA TOHAKU: 400th Memorial Retrospective
- Sat. April 10 - Sun. May 9, 2010
- The master painter of the Momoyama period, Hasegawa Tohaku (1539-1610), was a contemporary of Kano Eitoku, whose works were featured in a major exhibition at the Kyoto National Museum in 2007. This exhibition on Hasegawa Tohaku commemorates the 400th memorial year of his passing and will present many of his masterpieces, including the most popular National Treasure Pine Grove (Tokyo National Museum). We hope you will look forward to what will be the biggest Tohaku exhibition thus far.
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- Treasures of the Habsburg Monarchy-140th Jubilee of the Friendship Treaty between Austria-Hungary and Japan
- Wed. January 6 - Sun. March 14, 2010
- This major exhibition traces the splendor of the Habsburg family, which ruled Europe for over six hundred years and whose members were known for their love of the arts. Over one hundred selected works of painting, decorative art, and armor from the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna and the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest will be exhibited. Noteworthy among these objects will be an Edo-period album consisting of a hundred paintings and a lacquered bookshelf with makie (sprinkled metal design) presented by the Meiji Emperor to King Francis Joseph, which will be returning to and shown in Japan for the first time.
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- Commemorating the 750th Anniversary of the Presentation of Rissho ankoku ron
Nichiren and the Treasures of the Lotus Sect:
The Efflorescent Culture of Kyoto's Townspeople
- Sat. October 10 - Mon. November 23, 2009
- Lamenting the frequent disasters and a nation at peril, Nichiren, at the age of thirty-nine, authored Rissho Ankoku-ron (the Treatise for Spreading Peace Throughout the Country by Establishing the True Teaching) and presented it to the former regent of the Kamakura government, Hojo Tokiyori (1227-1263, r. 1246-1256). This year marks the 750th anniversary of this event. To commemorate Nichiren's treatise, the Kyoto National Museum will exhibit works from the sixteen head temples of the Nichiren sect in Kyoto.
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- On the Trail of Texts Along the Silk Road: The Russian Expedition's Discovery of Manuscripts in Central Asia
- Tue. July 14 - Sun. September 6, 2009
- The Institute of Oriental Manuscripts at the Russian Academy of Sciences in Saint Petersburg owns approximately 20,000 rare manuscripts and fragmentary segments discovered in Dunhuang and Central Asia by the Russian expedition. These books and records, which were written along the faraway Silk Road over a period covering approximately the fourth to twelfth century, include primarily Buddhist scriptures as well as works in classical Chinese, Tangut, Khotanese, Tokhari, and Sogdian. About 150 exemplary manuscripts selected from the large body of works will be exhibited, many of which will be shown in Japan for the first time.
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- In Commemoration of the 650th Memorial of the Founding Priest Muso:The Treasures of Myoshin-ji Temple
- Tue. March 24 - Sun. May 10, 2009
- This year marks the 650th memorial of the Zen priest Muso (Kanzan Egen, 1277-1360), the founder of the historic Rinzai Zen monastery Myoshin-ji in Kyoto. This major exhibition of works from the subtemples within the grounds of Myoshinji traces its history from its founding up to the present as well as the Zen culture that flourished there.
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- Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Emperor's Accession to the Throne Recalling Great Treasures of Court Culture
- Sat. January 10 - Sun. February 22, 2009
- This exhibition of artworks from Kyoto's Imperial Palace commemorates the twentieth anniversary of His Majesty the Emperor's enthronement.
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- Export Lacquer : Reflection of the West in Black and Gold Makie
- Sat. October 18 - Sun. December 7, 2008
- Japan continued to export its lacquerware using the decorative technique of makie ("sprinkled metal design") well into its period of national isolation. As luxury items from the Far East, these objects were highly valued and used to decorate castles throughout Europe. This exhibition traces the history of Japanese makie lacquerware that went outside Japan through masterful works that have been passed down in Europeans collections, starting with that of Marie Antoinette.
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- Commemorating the 120th Memorial of Kawanabe Kyosai
Bridge to Modernity:Kyosai's Adventures in Painting
- Tue. April 8 - Sun. May 11, 2008
- The eccentric painter Kawanabe Kyosai (1831-1889) was active from the late Edo to early Meiji period. Trained in ukiyo-e and the orthodox Kano school of painting, Kyosai demonstrated skill in traditional techniques while creating fantastical images. This retrospective presents 135 major works of this artist. "His works are so bizarre, they'll make you want to cry!"
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- Japan's Encounter with European Ceramics: Dreaming of Missen, Sèvres, and Minton
- Sat. January 5 - Sun. March 9, 2008
- European ceramics have gained much attention in Japan in recent years, though the Japanese encounter of these works date back to the early Edo period (1615 - 1868). This exhibition unravels the tale of this 400-year-old relationship by introducing many amazing ceramic works from various regions throughout Europe.
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- KANO Eitoku
- Tue. October 16 - Sun. November 18, 2007
- Patronized by the warlords Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the celebrated painter Kano Eitoku (1543-1590) developed an ostentatious style. This major exhibition presents the oeuvre of his works.
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- Commemorating the Millennium of the Kinpusen Sutras: Fujiwara no Michinaga Courtly Splendor and Pure Land Faith
- Tue. April 24 - Sun. May 27, 2007
- Fujiwara no Michinaga (966-1027), the most powerful regent of the Heian period (794-1185), lived and ruled in a historically and culturally groundbreaking era. This was also a time of spiritual unrest when many looked to Buddhism for salvation. This exhibition commemorates Michinaga's pilgrimage to the sacred mountain Kinpusen and explores the age in which he lived through over 120 works, including Heian court diaries, Buddhist paintings and sculpture.
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- Sliding Door Panels of The Kyoto Imperial Palace
- Sat. January 6 - Sun. February 18, 2007
- When the buildings of the Kyoto Imperial Palace were constructed in 1855, the most eminent Japanese painters of the time were called upon to paint its interior panel paintings. This exhibition features these masterful works from the Otsune Goten and Ogakumonsho Halls of the Kyoto Imperial Palace.
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- Kyoto Ware: Ceramic Designs and Techniques of the Capital
- Tue. October 17 - Sun. November 26, 2006
- This special exhibition examines Kyoyaki (Kyoto ware), which represents one of Kyoto's traditional industries, from its inception to recent years, based on recent research. Explore the allure of Kyoto ceramics through representative works by illustrious potters such as Nonomura Ninsei (c. mid-17th century).
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- Bridging Tradition: The 110th Anniversary Exhibition of the Kyoto National Museum
- Sat. July 15 - Sun. August 27, 2006
- The Kyoto National Museum, which opened in 1897, welcomes its 110th anniversary in 2006. This exhibition traces the history of this museum, which has amassed, researched, and exhibited various objects connected to the ancient capital Kyoto. Highlights include Wind God and Thunder God (National Treasure, Kennin-ji Temple).
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- Emaki Unrolled: Masterworks of Illustrated Narrative Handscrolls
- Sat. April 22 - Sun. June 4, 2006
- A major exhibition of celebrated emaki (illustrated handsrolls) from the Heian to Edo periods. See National Treasure handscrolls, including The Tale of Genji and Scroll of Frolicking Animals, and enjoy dynamic tales as the year unrolled.
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- Faith and Syncretism: Saicho and the Treasures of Tendai
- Sat. October 8 - Sun. November 20, 2005
- To celebrate the 1200th anniversary of the founding of the Buddhist Tendai sect, various cultural artifacts from Enryaku-ji and other Tendai temples will be on special display. Explore the wondrous worlds of the founder Saicho and other Tendai masters, Lotus Sutra and Pure Land faith, esoteric images and rituals, and the cult of the Hie Sanno deity through Tendai art.
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- The Age of Sakamoto Ryōma
- Sat. July 16 - Sun. August 28, 2005
- This year marks 170 years since the birth of the bakumatsu loyalist Sakamoto Ryōma (1835-67). This special exhibition-featuring Ryōma's letters, which are filled with humor and an uninhibited free style-sheds light on the civil strife and Kyoto culture at the end of the Tokugawa era (1615-1868), the age in which Ryōma emerged.
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- Shōhaku Show
- Tue. April 12 - Sun. May 15, 2005
- The Shōhaku Show is a major retrospective of the eccentric 18th-century Kyoto painter Soga Shōhaku (1730-81). See his masterpieces, which reflect the rebellious spirit that ridiculed the fallacies of contemporary academism prevalent in Edo-period paintings.
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- The Sacred Letters of Early Sutra -the 50th Anniversary of the Moriya Collection-
- Tue. October 19 - Sun. November 28, 2004
- This year marks the fiftieth year since Yoshitaka Moriya donated his father Kozo Moriya's (1876-1953) outstanding collection of early sutras to the Kyoto National Museum. Known as the Moriya Collection, this set of sutras comprises of more than 268 manuscripts, including one sutra designated a National Treasure, thirty-five Important Cultural Properties, and thirty-seven Important Art Objects. In celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of this notable acquisition, the Kyoto National Museum proudly presents a special exhibition featuring exemplary koshakyo from the Moriya and other collections.
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- The Sacred World of Shinto Art in Kyoto
- Tue. August 10 - Mon. September 20, 2004
- This exhibition has been divided into five themes to introduce the fascinating world of Shinto art and how it reflected the early faith, belief, and fear of those living in the capital. This is a rare opportunity to explore the beauty and mystique of these divine treasures.
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- Commemorating the 700th Memorial of Emperor Kameyama : Treasures of a Great Zen Temple - The Nanzen-ji
- Tue. April 6 - Sun. May 16, 2004
- Nanzen-ji, the historical head Rinzai Zen temple of the Nanzenji branch, was designated above the Gozan temples (the five major Rinzai Zen monasteries) by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. This exhibition features treasures from this highest-ranking Zen temple, such as the prayer written by Emperor Kameyama (designated a National Treasure) and screen paintings from the Central Hall originally from an imperial palace (National Treasure).
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- The Art of Star Wars PART 2 EPISODE Ⅰ▪Ⅱ+α
- Sat. January 10 - Sun. March 7, 2004
- Please give the world of the Star Wars art which exists in large numbers still more skilled in recent years.
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- KAZARI IN GOLD:JAPANASE AESTHETICS THROUGH METAL WORK
- Sat. October 11 - Mon. November 24, 2003
- This exhibition focuses on metal works through the world of decorative arts. Exemplary metal works and related objects from applied art, painting, scupture, and calligraphy, from primitive and ancient to early modern and modern times, are shown to examine the aesthetic concept, kazari.
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- The Art of Star Wars EPISODE Ⅳ▪Ⅴ▪Ⅵ+α
- Tue. June 24 - Sun. August 31, 2003
- Star Wars has come to Kyoto! See the art of Star Wars through actual models, costumes, and background scenery used for the movie.
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- Treasures of a Sacred Mountain: Kūkai and Mount Kōya The 1,200-Year Anniversary of Kukai Visit to Tang-Dynasty China
- Tue. April 15 - Sun. May 25, 2003
- To commemorate Kukai's historic voyage to China and encounter with esoteric Buddhism 1,200 years ago, this special exhibition presents, on an unprecedented scale, over 160 masterworks of Buddhist art from the collection of the esoteric Shingon Buddhist headquarter, Mount Koya.
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- Rembrandt Rembrandt
- Sun. November 3, 2002 - Mon. January 13, 2003
- Retrospective of Rembrandt's works. Includes approximately so works from famous Western collections.
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- The History and Aesthetics of Tea in Japan
- Sat. September 7 - Mon. October 14, 2002
- This exhibition looks at the 1200-year history of Japanese tea culture, with a focus on the tea implements, paintings, calligraphy, and other objects used in each period.
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- Kennin-ji: The Oldest Zen Temple in Kyoto
- Tue. April 23 - Sun. May 19, 2002
- Tawaraya Sōtatsu's Wind God and Thunder God (National Treasure), Kaihō Yūshō's wall paintings, and other treasures from Kyoto's oldest Zen temple are featured in this eighth hundred year commemorative exhibition in honor of Kennin-ji's founder, Eisai.
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- 500th Anniversary Exhibition Sesshū: Master of Ink and Brush
- Tue. March 12 - Sun. April 7, 2002
- Ink paintings reflecting the life of the Muromachi-period master artist.
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- A Visit from Prague: Japanese Art from Czech Museums
- Sat. January 12 - Sun. February 17, 2002
- Ukiyo-e woodblock prints and other works of Japanese art from the National Gallery in Prague and other Czech museums
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- Human Images
- Tue. October 23 - Sun. November 25, 2001
- Masterpieces of Japanese and Chinese art relating to people, including both images of figures and abstract symbols of human presence.
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- Treasures of Kitano Temmangu Shrine
- Tue. April 10 - Sun. May 13, 2001
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- Jakuchū!
- Tue. October 24 - Sun. November 26, 2000
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- The Dutch Royal Collection
- Tue. April 18 - Sun. May 28, 2000
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- Kyoto Style: Trends in 16th-19th Century Kimono
- Tue. October 19 - Tue. November 23, 1999
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- The Treasures of Myōhō-in Temple and Sanjūsangendō
- Tue. April 6 - Sun. May 9, 1999
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- Elegance, Virtue, and Ceremony : Buddhist Paintings of the Heian and Kamakura Periods
- Tue. October 20 - Mon. November 23, 1998
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- Rennyo and Hongan-ji Temple - History and Fine Arts -
- Tue. March 24 - Tue. May 5, 1998
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- The Age of Gold, the Days of Dreams : In Praise of the Paintings of the Momoyama Period
- Tue. October 21 - Mon. November 24, 1997
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- In commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the museum
Art from the Imperial Court
- Tue. April 15 - Sun. May 18, 1997
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- The Kano School in the Muromachi Period : On the Road to Artistic Predominance
- Tue. October 15 - Sun. November 17, 1996