December 6, 2005 (Tue), Japanese Gallery (Honkan)

The original Japanese Gallery (designed by the British architect Josiah Conder) was severely damaged in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. In contrast to western style of the original structure, the design of the present Honkan by Watanabe Jin is the more eastern "Emperor's Crown Style." Construction began in 1932, and the building was opened in 1938. 24 exhibition rooms on two floors provide a thorough introduction into Japanese art: "Highlights of Japanese Art" on the second floor introduces the development of Japanese art from Jomon through to the Edo period in a chronological manner, and genre galleries presenting specific rooms displaying ceramics, swords, lacquerwares, sculptures, modern decorative arts as well as the material culture of Ainu and Ryukyu are located on the first floor.

Highlights of Japanese Art(PDF)

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"

The Dawn of Japanese Art
Prehistory and Protohistory: the Jômon, Yayoi, and Kofun Periods (10000B.C. - A.D. 600)

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 1

September 6, 2005 (Tue) -
February 26, 2006 (Sun)
The Rise of Buddhism: Asuka and Nara Periods (6c-8c)

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 1

November 22, 2005 (Tue) -
December 25, 2005 (Sun)
National Treasure Gallery Man'yo Shu Poetry Anthology, Genryaku version

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 2

November 22, 2005 (Tue) -
December 25, 2005 (Sun)
Buddhist Art: Heian to Muromachi Periods (8c-16c)

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 3

November 22, 2005 (Tue) -
December 25, 2005 (Sun)
Courtly Art: Heian to Muromachi Periods (8c-16c)

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 3

November 22, 2005 (Tue) -
December 25, 2005 (Sun)
Zen and Ink Paintings: Kamakura and Muromachi Periods (12c-16c)

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 3

November 22, 2005 (Tue) -
December 25, 2005 (Sun)
Art of the Tea Ceremony

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 4

October 25, 2005 (Tue) -
February 12, 2006 (Sun)
Attire of the Military Elite: Heian to Edo Periods (12c-19c)

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Rooms 5 & 6

September 21, 2005 (Wed) -
December 18, 2005 (Sun)
Folding Screen- and Sliding Door Paintings: Azuchi-Momoyama and Edo Periods (16c-19c)

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 7

December 6, 2005 (Tue) -
January 15, 2006 (Sun)
Interior Furnishings and Daily Utensils: Azuchi-Momoyama and Edo Periods

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 8

September 13, 2005 (Tue) -
December 18, 2005 (Sun)
Developments in Painting and Calligraphy: Azuchi-Momoyama and Edo Periods (16c-19c)

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 8

December 6, 2005 (Tue) -
January 15, 2006 (Sun)
Noh and Kabuki

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 9

November 1, 2005 (Tue) -
December 25, 2005 (Sun)
Ukiyo-e and Costume: Edo Period (17c-19c) Edo Period Fashion and Design

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 10

November 1, 2005 (Tue) -
December 25, 2005 (Sun)
Ukiyo-e and Costumes: Edo Period (17c-19c) Ukiyo-e

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 10

November 29, 2005 (Tue) -
December 25, 2005 (Sun)

The Dawn of Japanese Art
Prehistory and Protohistory: the Jômon, Yayoi, and Kofun Periods (10000B.C. - A.D. 600)

2nd floor "Highlights of Japanese Art"
Room 1

September 6, 2005 (Tue) - February 26, 2006 (Sun)

The Jomon culture began around 12,000 years ago. Earthenware vessels of this age with various motifs and styles are the starting point of "Highlights of Japanese Art." In the Yayoi period (450 B.C.- A.D. 250), pottery with a simplistic yet refined beauty and dotaku bell-shaped bronzes were prominent, Furthermore, the typical objects of the Kofun period (A.D. 250-600), such as haji-, sue wares and haniwa figurines, as well as mirrors, arms and armor, saddlery, and accessory, expressing the essence of metal and glass craftsmanship are also featured.
Current exhibit includes:
Jomon Vessel with Flame-like Ornamentation, Attributed provenience: Umataka, Nagaoka-shi, Niigata, Jomon period, 3000 - 2000BC
Jar, From Kugahara, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Yayoi period, 1st - 3rd century (Important Cultural Property)
Footed Jar with Ornaments and Diminutives, Sue Stoneware, From Ogasayama, Setouchi-shi, Okayama, Kofun period, 6th century