NEWSLETTER
July to September 2016

Vol. 130
Feature Exhibition

Buddhist Art from Tango
300th Anniversary Feature Exhibition

Yosa Buson

Legends of Tōraku-ji Temple, detail
Takano Shrine, Kyoto, on view July 26–August 28, 2016

Feature Exhibition

Buddhist Art from Tango

July 26–September 11, 2016, Heisei Chishinkan Wing, Galleries 1F-1 and 2
The Tango Peninsula is located on the far northern side of Kyoto prefecture, juttingout into the Japan Sea. As scholars have discovered in recent years, the region,
though remote, has a rich Buddhist heritage, housing numerous icons that datefrom the Heian (794–1185) through Muromachi (1392–1573) periods.
This exhibition puts many such works on view, including, for the first time
ever, a tenth century hidden Buddhist sculpture of the Thousand Armed Kannon(Avalokiteśvara) from Enjō-ji. This sacred early Heian period image is normallyhidden away, even at its temple, making this exhibition an extraordinarily rareopportunity to view it in person.
(By Asami Ryūsuke, Senior Curator of Sculpture, Tokyo National Museum; translation by Melissa M. Rinne)

Legends of Tōraku-ji Temple, detail
Takano Shrine, Kyoto, on view July 26–August 28, 2016, Gallery 2F-1

Important Cultural Property
Thousand Armed Kannon (Sahasrabhujā Arya Avalokiteśvara)Enjō-ji Temple, Kyoto, on view July 26–September 11, 2016

300th Anniversary Feature Exhibition

Yosa Buson

August 23–October 2, 2016, Heisei Chishinkan Wing, Galleries 2F-3 and 4
The renowned painter and haiku poet Yosa Buson (1716–1783) was born in Settsu
province (present-day Osaka) but went to Edo (Tokyo) as a young man to study paintingand poetry. He then took a long itinerant journey on foot through Japan’s northernprovinces. It was not until he was past the age of thirty-five that Buson finally settled
down in Kyoto. Though he had full mastery of Ming and Qing Chinese painting styles,
some of Buson’s most distinctive works are his abbreviated, witty haiga sketches. Thisexhibition, celebrating the three hundredth anniversary of his birth, showcases thecharm and genius of Buson’s painting and poetry.
(By Fukushi Yūya, Associate Curator of Momoyama–Edo Paintings; translation by Melissa M. Rinne)

Important Cultural Property
The Narrow Road through the Provinces, detail
By Yosa Buson
Kyoto National Museum

Wild Horses, right screen, by Yosa Buson
Kyoto National Museum

Portrait of Yosa Buson by Goshun
Kyoto National Museum

Thematic Exhibitions inThe Collection
Galleries
3F-1
Ceramics
Ceramics of Japan and East Asia
Japanese Ceramics from Medieval Kilns
June 21–October 2, 2016

3F-2
Archaeological Relics
Japanese Archaeological Artifacts
June 21–October 2, 2016

2F-1
Illustrated Handscrolls
Illustrated Handscrolls with Literary
Themes: Waka and Monogatari

June 14–July 24, 2016

Buddhist Art from Tango
July 26–August 28, 2016
Important Cultural Property
Amitabha in Reddish Glow
Nariai-ji Temple, Kyoto, on view July 26–August 28,
2016, Gallery 2F-2

Important Cultural Property
BuddhaKongōshin’in Temple, Kyoto, on view July 26–September 11, 2016

Illustrated Handscrolls and Wakasa
Province
August 30–October 2, 2016

2F-2
Buddhist Paintings
Sacred Representations: Japanese
Esoteric Buddhist IconographicDrawings
June 14–July 24, 2016

Buddhist Art from Tango
JJuly 26–August 28, 2016

Momoyama–Edo Paintings

Edo Period Idols

July 20–August 21, 2016, Gallery 2F-4

Portraiture has a long history in Japan, but most early portraits of women
depict religious or literary figures. Solo portraits of women outside thesecategories did not appear until the early Edo period (1615–1868). From theMomoyama period (1573–1615) through the beginning of Edo, artists began
painting groups of contemporary women, usually in the pleasure quarters.
This formed the basis for the development of the single “beauty painting”
genre—the “idols” of Edo period
Japan. These depictions of womenvary: some are anonymous imagesof idealized beauties; others portray
actual figures; still others playfully
combine historical imagery withcontemporary models. Though thesepaintings of women were produced
primarily for male connoisseurship,
they are not necessarily devoid ofreligious or literary content. Indeed,evocative associations might enhance
the interest of such paintings for their
Edo period viewers.
(By Fukushi Yūya, Associate Curator of Momoyama–
Edo Paintings; translation by Melissa M. Rinne)

Masterworks of Pure Land Buddhist
Painting
August 30–October 2, 2016

2F-3
Medieval Paintings
Animals in Medieval Ink Painting
June 14–July 18, 2016

Kano School Fan Paintings
July 20–August 21, 2016

300th Anniversary, Yosa Buson
August 23–October 2, 2016

2F-4 Momoyama–Edo Paintings
Tosa Mitsuoki and Early Modern
Japanese Yamato-e Painting
June 14–July 18, 2016

Edo Period Idols

July 20–August 21, 2016

300th Anniversary, Yosa Buson
August 23–October 2, 2016

2F-5 Chinese Paintings
Chinese Landscapes of Legend
June 14–July 18, 2016

Chinese Paintings of Plants and Insects
July 20–August 21, 2016

Chinese Paintings Admired by Japanese
Literati of the Edo Period
August 23–October 2, 2016

1F-1 Sculpture
Japanese Sculpture

June 14–October 2, 2016

The Jōchō Style and Buddhist Sculptureof the Kei School
June 14–July 24, 2016

Buddhist Art from Tango
Japanese Beauties of the Seventeenth Century
By Kawanabe Kyōsai

July 26–September 11, 2016

Wrathful Buddhist Deities
September 13–October 2, 2016

Thematic Exhibitions inThe Collection

Galleries
ADMISSION

1F-2 Feature Exhibition
The Tokugawa Shoguns and Kyoto

Adult 520 (410)
Univ. Student 260 (210)

Buddhist Art from Tango

Admission is free for youths of high school age and below.
Fees in parentheses are for groups of 20+

June 14–July 18, 2016

July 26–September 11, 2016

1F-3 CalligraphyThe Tokugawa Shoguns and Kyoto

HOURS

Japan's Historical Documents

CLOSED ON MONDAY

The Characters of Ancient Sutra Manuscripts

When Monday is a national holiday, the museum remains
open on Monday and closes the following Tuesday.

June 14–July 18, 2016

July 20–September 11, 2016

September 13–October 2, 2016

1F-4 Textiles and Costumes
Costumes of the Samurai Class

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

The Collections Galleries will be closed until October 4 to 14,
2016. Outdoor exhibits are open for viewing. We apologize forthe inconvenience.

June 14–July 24, 2016Costumes Used in Japanese Performing Arts
July 27–August 28, 2016

Autumnal Textile Designs
August 31–October 2, 2016

1F-5 Metalwork
Medieval Sword Mountings: Ornamenting the Samurai
June 14–August 7, 2016

Exquisite Buddhist Implements
August 9–October 2, 2016

1F-6 Lacquerware
Negoro Ware and Kamakura-boriJune 14–July 24, 2016

From Land and from Sea: East Asian Lacquers with
Mother-of-Pearl Inlay
July 26–August 28, 2016

Makie Lacquers of the Edo Period
August 30–October 2, 2016

ACCESS
Via JR or Subway

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.

Via Keihan Railway

Upcoming
Exhibition

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

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.

150th Year Commemorative Special Exhibition

Sakamoto Ryōma: Japan's Favorite Hero
October 15–November 27, 2016

Sakamoto Ryōma (1836–1867) is one of Japan’s most beloved historicalfigures. As a loyalist to the Emperor, he played an essential role in theoverthrow 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, wasassassinated 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 andan affectionate relationship with his family. This exhibition examines thepersonality and vision of Japan’s most revered hero amidst the tumultuous
history of the late Edo period (1615–1868).

300th Anniversary Feature Exhibition

Itō Jakuchū

December 13, 2016–January 15, 2017
Feature Exhibition

Early Birds: Celebrating the Year of the Rooster
December 13, 2016–January 15, 2017
Feature Exhibition

Sennyū-ji, Imperial Temple

December 13, 2016–February 5, 2017

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