NEWSLETTER
July to September, 20200623更新☆英文たより146表.indd

Vol. 1461

2020/06/23

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Special Exhibition

Kannon Worship:

The Thirty-three Pilgrimage Sites of Western Japan
July 23–September 13, 2020, Heisei Chishinkan Wing

The Thirty-three Pilgrimage Sites of Western Japan (J., Saikoku sanjūsansho) were
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 theKing of Hell, Enma, “Many have been sent to hell because of their evil deeds in previouslives. Please teach people that they can acquire merit by visiting the sacred sites ofKannon (Skt., Avalokiteśvara) and the compassionate mind of this bodhisattva.” He wasthen 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 thatPriest Tokudō distributed these seals became part of the belief in sacred Kannon sites andJapan’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 capitalof Japan and center of culture, led to the spread of belief in Kannon and the culture ofPortrait of Priest Tokudō, detail
Hokki-in Temple, Narapilgrimages throughout Japan.
On the occasion of 1300 years since the founding of the Thirty-three Pilgrimage Sitesof 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 eventoday, regardless of age, gender or nationality. On exhibit are numerous objects that havebeen preserved and passed down together with belief in Kannon.
(By Hada Satoshi, Chair of the Department of Fine Arts; translation by Maya M. Hara, edited by Fabienne Helfenberger)

Kokawadera engi emaki (Illustrated Legends of Kokawa-dera Temple). Kokawa-dera Temple, Wakayama.
National Treasure. Detail. (On view July 23–August 16, 2020.)

Rokudō-e (Six Realms of Rebirth)
Shōju Raigō-ji Temple, Shiga. National Treasure.
(On view August 18–September 13, 2020.)

Hokke ippongyō (Lotus Sutra Copied in Single Volume per Chapter), Chapter 25 “The Universal Gate ofBodhisattva Kannon” (from the scriptures of Hase-dera Temple). Hase-dera Temple, Nara. National Treasure. Detail.
(On view August 18–September 13, 2020.)

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Mandala of the Images of Kannon from the Thirty-three Pilgrimage
Sites. Kannonshō-ji Temple, Shiga. (On view July 23–August 16, 2020.)

Seated Nyoirin Kannon (Skt., CintāmanicakraAvalokiteśvara).
Wood with polychromy, Chōhō-ji (Rokkaku-dō) Temple, Kyoto.

Special Exhibition
Celebration of the Emperor’s Enthronement

Treasures from the Imperial Palace
October 10–November 23, 2020, Heisei Chishinkan Wing

With the enthronement of the new Emperor and Empress, the era name changed to Reiwa. On this celebratory occasion, thisexhibition features works of art from the Sannomaru Shōzōkan (The Museum of Imperial Collections), which has been home toimperial court culture.
(By Yamakawa Aki, Chair of the Department of Exhibitions and Public Relations; translation by Fabienne Helfenberger)

Enthronement of Emperor Reigen
By Kano Einō (1631–1697)
Kyoto National Museum. Detail.

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ADMISSION
June 2–July 21, 2020:

Admission to the Museum Partially Open

Adult: 300 Univ. Student: 150
Admission is free for high school age and below, seniors over70, visitors with disabilities and one caretaker, and for Campus
Members including faculty. Please show I.D. Guide booklet isprovided with adult admission only.

July 23–September 13, 2020:*
Special Exhibition Admission

Adult: 1600 (1400)
Univ. Student: 1200 (1000)
High-School Student: 700 (500)
Admission is free for middle school students, and for visitorswith 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.

HOURS
June 2–July 21, 2020:
9:30 am–5:00 pm (Entrance until 4:30 pm)
July 23–September 13, 2020:
9:30 am–6:00 pm (Entrance until 5:30 pm)

CLOSED ON MONDAYS*When Monday is a national holiday, the museum remains
open on Monday and closes the following Tuesday, except
on August 10, 2020.
*The Museum will be closed on July 22, 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.

VIA HANKYU RAILWAY

Get off at Kyoto Kawaramachi Station. Walk east over thebridge to the Keihan Railway Gionshijo Station. Take Osakabound Keihan train to Shichijo Station. Walk east along
Shichijo/Nanajo Street (about seven minutes) to the Museum.

Cover: Seated Nyoirin Kannon, Chōhō-ji (Rokkaku-dō) Temple, Kyoto. Bodhisattva with One Leg
Pendant, Oka-dera (Ryūgai-ji) Temple, Nara, Important Cultural Property. Rokudō-e (Six Realmsof Rebirth), Shōju Raigō-ji Temple, Shiga, National Treasure, detail, on view August 18–September13, 2020. Kokawadera engi emaki (Illustrated Legends of Kokawa-dera Temple), Kokawa-dera
Temple, Wakayama, National Treasure, detail, on view July 23–August 16, 2020. Mandala of theImages of Kannon from the Thirty-three Pilgrimage Sites, Kannonshō-ji Temple, Shiga, detail, onview July 23–August 16, 2020.

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

2020/06/23

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