NEWSLETTER
October to December 2014

Vol. 123

Special Exhibition

Masterpieces of Kōsan-ji Temple
Feature Exhibition

Momoyama: The Age of Hideyoshi

Special Exhibition

Masterpieces of Kōsan-ji Temple

October 7– November 24, 2014

Commemorating the Restoration of the National Treasure Scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Humans

Among the most beloved and recognizable of all Japanese artworks is the delightful four-volume set Scrollsof Frolicking Animals and Humans (Chōjū giga), owned by the temple of Kōsan-ji (also known as Kōzan-ji). ThisNational 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. In addition
to refreshing and stabilizing the scrolls, this conservation process revealed significant new information about thethird scroll: the second half of the scroll in its existing form was originally mounted on the back of the first half ofthe scroll. The current arrangement in which the first half and second half are mounted side by side is the result ofa later remounting.
The ancient temple of Kōsan-ji was established by Myōe (1173–1232), a Kamakura-period priest of the Kegon
sect and one of the most famous figures in Japanese Buddhism. Myōe was admired for a wide range of cultural,
literary, and religious activities. In addition to his scholarly achievements, he also produced Dream Diary (Yumeno ki) and commissioned the set of handscrolls Legends of the Kegon Sect (also known as Illustrated Biographiesof the Kegon Sect Patriarchs) as a memorial to the Silla Korean priests Uisang (J: Gishō, 625–702) and Weonhyo (J:Gangyō, 617–686).
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.

Feature Exhibition

Momoyama: The Age of Hideyoshi
Kyoto has been a bustling center of Japanese culture since thebeginning of the Heian period (794–1185). Evidence of its longand storied history can be found in many places around thisancient capital, including in and around the Kyoto NationalMuseum. The massive stone wall girding the west side of themuseum was once part of Hōkō-ji, a temple for which the ruler
Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537–1598) commissioned a colossal
Great Buddha statue, even larger than those that still stand
today in Nara and Kamakura. Surviving parts of Hōkō-ji as wellas the Toyotomi family memorial, Toyokuni Shrine, are still
located on the northwest side of the museum.
This exhibition acknowledges the close relationshipbetween the Kyoto National Museum’s location and Hideyoshi

October 15– November 16, 2014
2F-1

through a presentation of objects associated with thishistoric figure, including portraiture, handwritten letters, andelaborate costumes. This assemblage of works, combining
art and history, should provide deeper understanding ofHideyoshi, not only as a ruler with a grandiose vision, but also
as a devoted parent and family man.

Important Cultural Property
Katana (long sword) blade
remade from a naginata
known as Honebami Tōshirō
Toyokuni Shrine, Kyoto
On view 1F-5, Metalwork

Important Cultural Property
Jinbaori Surcoat with Bird and Animal Designs
Kōdai-ji Temple, Kyoto

Heisei Chishinkan

Important Cultural Property
Portrait of Toyotomi Hideyoshi
Saikyō-ji Temple, Shiga

National Treasure Scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Humans, detail (Kōsan-ji Temple, Kyoto, on view 11/5–11/24)

Lacquerware

Japanese Export Lacquers:
Nanban and Kōmō Wares
November 26, 2014– January 12, 2015

1F-6 Heisei Chishinkan

During the Momoyama period (1573–1615), Catholic missionaries and traders
arriving in Japan on Spanish and Portuguese ships became captivated by
the country’s durable but exquisite lacquers, which they commissioned
for church furnishings as well as for commercial trade goods. These exportlacquerwares often had dense patterns covering their surfaces, executed insimple hiramakie (smooth makie patterns made by sprinkling gold and othermetallic powders into wet lacquer) and mother-of-pearl inlay. In reference
to their nanban (“southern barbarian,” a term meaning foreigner) clientele,these works became known as nanban lacquers.
Later in the Edo period (1615–1868), Japan closed itself off from almost all
foreign commerce, but it did allow the Dutch to trade in Japan, albeit underhighly restrictive conditions. The new styles made for these fairheaded
European clients were called kōmō (“red-haired”) lacquers and featured
high-relief takamakie patterns on black lacquered backgrounds.

Thematic Exhibitions inThe Collection
Galleries
3F-1
Ceramics
Kyoto Ware

September 13–December 23, 2014

3F-2
Archaeological Relics
Archaeological Treasures in Gold, Silver,and Bronze
September 13–December 23, 2014

2F-1
Feature Exhibition
Momoyama: The Age of Hideyoshi
October 15–November 16, 2014

Illustrated Handscrolls
Otogi Zōshi: Illustrated Stories
November 18–December 23, 2014

2F-2
Buddhist Paintings
Masterworks of Esoteric Buddhist
Painting
October 15–November 16, 2014

Engi-e: Illustrated Legends of Templesand Shrines
November 18–December 23, 2014

2F-3
Medieval Paintings
Transcendent Beauty: Colorful Bird-andFlower Painting
October 15–November 16, 2014

Elegant Pursuits of the Chinese Literati
November 18–December 23, 2014

2F-4
Momoyama–Edo Paintings
Master Painters of the Momoyama Period
Folding Lectern withIHS Insignia andLinked Hexagrams in Makie
and Mother-of-Pearl Inlay
Kyoto National Museum

October 15–November 16, 2014

Ike no Taiga: Master of Nanga Painting
November 18–December 23, 2014

Thematic Exhibitions inThe Collection

Galleries
ADMISSION

2F-5
Chinese Paintings
Ming and Qing Paintings in Kyoto
October 15–November 16, 2014

Modern Chinese Painting

November 18–December 23, 2014

1F-1 Sculpture
Heian and Kamakura Sculpture from Kyoto

Adult 520 (410)
Univ. Student 260 (210)(Admission is free for youths of high school age and below)(Fees in parentheses are for groups of 20+)
*These fees are for admission to the Collections Galleries only.
Special Exhibitions require separate admission fees, which
include admission to the Collections Galleries.

HOURS

September 13–December 23, 2014

9:30 am– 5:00 pm (Entrance until 4:30 pm)

1F-2 Illustrated Handscrolls
The Faith and Aesthetics of the Aristocracy*During the special exhibition, these hours are extended until
6:00 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, and until
8:00 p.m. on Fridays. Admission ends thirty minutes before
closing time.

October 15–November 16, 2014

Feature Exhibition
Swords from the Naga Fujikazu Collection I
November 18–December 21, 2014

1F-3 Calligraphy
Decorative Elegance: Calligraphy Papers

CLOSED ON MONDAY*When Monday is a national holiday, the museum remains
open on Monday and closes the following Tuesday.
*The Museum will be closed December 24 (Wed.) to January 1(Thu.), 2015.

October 15–November 16, 2014

Calligraphy by Eminent Priests
November 18–December 23, 2014

1F-4 Textiles and Costumes
Shinto and Buddhist Textiles
October 21–November 16, 2014

Luxurious Imported Textiles:
Buddhist Robes and Meibutsugire
November 19–December 23, 2014

1F-5 Metalwork
Hideyoshi’s Favorite Swordsmiths:
Yoshimitsu, Masamune, and Yoshihiro

ACCESS
Via JR or Subway

October 15–November 16, 2014

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

November 18, 2014–January 12, 2015

Via Keihan Railway

1F-6 Lacquerware
Kōdai-ji Makie Lacquer: Gems of Momoyama Culture

Via Hankyu Railway

Swords from the Naga Fujikazu Collection II

October 21–November 24, 2014

Japanese Export Lacquers: Nanban and Kōmō Wares
November 26, 2014–January 12, 2015

Get off at Shichijo Station. Walk east along Shichijo Street(about seven minutes) to the Museum.
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
Street (about seven minutes) to the Museum.

Upcoming
Exhibitions
Special Feature

An Ancient Temple of the San'in Region:
The Treasures of Gakuen-ji Temple in Shimane
January 2–February 15, 2015
Special Feature

Hina Matsuri and Japanese Dolls
February 21–April 7, 2015

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