NEWSLETTER
October to December 2019Vol. 143

Special Exhibition

The Thirty-Six Immortal Poets
Elegant Arts of the Classical Japanese Court

Upcoming Feature Exhibition

The Many Hats of Rats!

1001修正☆英文たより143表.indd1

2019/10/01

18:30:27

Special Exhibition

The Thirty-Six Immortal Poets
Elegant Arts of the Classical Japanese Court
October 12–November 24, 2019, Heisei Chishinkan Wing

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 mostprecious 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’scultural elite. Over the course of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, thepaintings 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.
(By Inami Rintarō, Associate Curator of Illustrated Handscrolls; translation by Melissa M. Rinne, edited by FabienneHelfenberger)
Important Cultural Property
Portrait of Kakinomoto no Hitomaro
By Takuma Eiga (dates unknown)
Inscription by Shōkai Reiken (1315–1396)
Tokiwayama Bunko Foundation, TokyoBox full moon and fan crestand other original storageboxes for the scrolls of The Thirty–six Immortal Poets,
Satake version
Lacquered wood with makie (sprinkled metallic powder)decoration; wood

National Treasure“Shigeyuki shū” (Collected Poetry of Minamoto no Shigeyuki)
from Sanjūroku nin kashū, detail(Anthology of Poems by the Thirty–six Immortal Poets)
Hongan–ji Temple, Kyoto*This section of the Album on view are subject to change without notice.

Important Cultural Property
Koōgimi from The Thirty-Six Immortal Poets, Satake Version
Attributed to Fujiwara no Nobuzane (1176–1265)
Inscription attributed to Gokyōgoku Yoshitsune (1169–1206)
The Museum Yamato Bunkakan, Nara [on view November 6–24, 2019]

Momiji Goki–type Tea Bowl
Nomura Art Museum, Kyoto

Vase made from the container of lots forthe separated paintings from The Thirty–sixImmortal Poets, Satake version
BambooImportant Cultural Property
Sakanoue no Korenori from The Thirty-Six Immortal Poets, Satake VersionAttributed to Fujiwara no Nobuzane (1176–1265)
Inscription attributed to Gokyōgoku Yoshitsune (1169–1206)
Agency for Cultural Affairs

Inkstone Case with Poetic Scene of Sumiyoshi
Wood with lacquer and makie (sprinkled metallicpowder) decoration
Gift of Okumura Jūbei, Kyoto National Museum

Important Cultural Property
Illustrated Tales of Ise, detail
Kuboso Memorial Museum of Arts, Izumi, Osaka[on view November 12–24, 2019]

Upcoming Feature Exhibition

The Many Hats of Rats!

January 2–Februay 2, 2020, Heisei Chishinkan Wing, Gallery 1F-2
For several years, the museum has marked the New Year with an exhibition
showcasing the animals of the Chinese Zodiac. 2020 is the year of the rat, and you
can expect to find a gallery swarming with rats in celebration. The rat is first in theline-up of the twelve animals in the zodiac cycle. Often regarded as auspicious
creatures in East Asia, the rat has many significances unique to Japan as well. One
might even say that the rat wears many hats... Come enjoy works of art featuring
rats wearing many hats as you ring in the New Year!
(By Nagashima Meiko, Chair of the Department of Education; translation by Mary Lewine)

Mouse on Rice Bale
Yellow Cochin-China Glaze
Gift of Kōnoike Zen’uemon
Kyoto National Museum

ADMISSION
October 12–November 24, 2019:*
Special Exhibition Admission

Adult 1600 (1400)
Univ. Student 1200 (1000)
High-School Student 700 (500)
Admission is free for middle school students and other youths
age 0–15, and for visitors with disabilities and one caretaker.
Please show I.D.
Fees in parentheses are for groups of 20+.
*During special exhibition periods, all visitors must pay specialexhibition admission.

September 18–October 10, 2019, and November 26–
December 22, 2019:
Admission to the Museum Gardens and Outdoor Exhibits

Adult 260 (210)

Outdoor exhibits only. Admission includes a guide booklet tothe Kyoto National Museum gardens and outdoor exhibits.
Admission is free for university students and below, seniors
over 70, visitors with disabilities and one caretaker, and forCampus Members including faculty. Please show I.D. The
guide booklet is not provided with free admission.
Fees in parentheses are for groups of 20+.

HOURS
October 12–November 24, 2019:
Tue., Wed.,Thu. and Sun.

9:30 am– 6:00 pm (Entrance until 4:30 pm)
Fri. and Sat.

9:30 am– 8:00 pm (Entrance until 7:30 pm)
September 18–October 10, 2019, and November 26–
December 22, 2019:9:30 am– 5:00 pm (Entrance until 4:30 pm)
CLOSED ON MONDAYS*When Monday is a national holiday, the museum remains
open on Monday and closes the following Tuesday.
*The Museum will also be closed on October 11, andDecember 24, 2019 to January 1, 2020.

ACCESSVIA JR OR SUBWAY

Get off at Kyoto Station. From bus platform D2 in front of thestation, take City Bus #206 or #208 to the “Hakubutsukan
Sanjusangendo-mae” bus stop. One-minute walk to theMuseum.

VIA KEIHAN RAILWAY

Get off at Shichijo Station. Walk east along Shichijo/Nanajo
Street (about seven minutes) to the museum.
Important Cultural Property
Illustrated Tales of Ise, detail
Kuboso Memorial Museum of Arts, Izumi, Osaka
On view November 12–24, 2019

EVENT

VIA HANKYU RAILWAY

Get off at Kawaramachi Station. Walk east over the bridgeto the Keihan Railway Gionshijo Station. Take Osaka-boundKeihan train to Shichijo Station. Walk east along Shichijo/Nanajo Street (about seven minutes) to the museum.

November 1, 2019

Cultural Exchange Day for Foreign Students
This year, the Kyoto National Museum's annual Cultural Exchange Day for
Foreign Students offers discounted admission (¥1000, the student grouprate; ¥700 for students from Campus Members universities). The Kyoto
National Museum will be giving away a special gift set featuring Torarin,
the Kyoto National official mascot to the museum's first 200 visitors. On
this day, foreign students are eligible to attend the “Campus MemberMuseum Lecture” (5:00 pm–6:00 pm) for free. The hall opens at 4:30 pm.
The lecture will be held in Japanese. We look forward to welcoming you tothe museum!
Friday, November 1, 20199:30 am–8:00 pm (enter by 7:30 pm)
Please show your ID at the entrance.
Cover: Important Cultural Property. Koōgimi from The Thirty–Six Immortal Poets, Satake
Version, detail. The Museum Yamato Bunkakan, Nara. On view from November 6–24,
2019. Important Cultural Property. Ki no Tomonori from The Thirty–Six Immortal Poets,
Satake Version, detail. Nomura Art Museum, Kyoto.

1001修正☆英文たより143表.indd

2

KYOTO NATIONAL MUSEUM
527 Chaya-cho, Higashiyama-ku
Kyoto, Japan 605-0931
Tel. (075) 525-2473
https://www.kyohaku.go.jp/

2019/10/01

18:30:28