Past Exhibitions

Feature Exhibition in Celebration of ICOM Kyoto 2019
Masterworks of the Kyoto National Museum: Temple and Shrine Treasures
The Elegance of Classical Court Culture: Magnificent Heian Buddhist Painting
August 14, 2019 - September 16, 2019

The mid- and late Heian period (794–1185) was a time in which Japanese religious art began to diverge from Chinese prototypes and develop a very particular national aesthetic. The artistic output from this period reflects the tastes of aristocratic patrons led by the powerful Fujiwara family of courtiers, who were intrinsically intertwined with the imperial lineage. For this reason, paintings of this era are sometimes called "Fujiwara Buddhist paintings." Meticulous craftsmanship and elegant colors were highly prized in such works. Many incorporate copious amounts of intricately cut gold and silver foil, sometimes so fine that it is barely discernable with the naked eye.

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