2014.08.07
Worship！ Buddha Statue（3/3） Discover how Buddha Statue has been transferred to the oldest museum in Japan
There is an increasing popularity for foreigners visiting and pay respect to the giant statue.
In this article, we would like to introduce you to Tokyo National Museum. This museum is the oldest museum ever exist in Japan. Here, you can learn about the history of Buddhism which originated from South Asia spreading to Japan via the Silk Road.
Topic ○○Hall×Floor△Room which is shown in this article,
aims to illustrate about the exhibition place. Follow this
instruction by looking for the numbers of the room, which can
conveniently lead you to your destination.
Tokyo National Museum is located in Ueno, consists of 5 main halls which you probably can't you explore it entirely within a day. The museum offers the walking route that take less time on the website.
Moreover, there are also routes for people who is interested in Buddha images, history of the East Asia originated Buddha images and how they spread to Japan, rare Buddha images exhibition and so forth. Unfortunately, the explanation on website is offered only in Japanese.
Therefore, we would like to present you a fun walking route that doesn't require any technical knowledge about this field at all!
Enchanted by Buddha face! Originated from the Silk Road Toyokan Hall 2nd Fl
Room 3 Indian Sculpture Ganthara Central Asia Arts
Mathura State of Inda and Ganthara State of Pakistan are the main sites for
pioneering in contriving Buddha Statue in the 1st Century
Starting from the exhibition about Buddha sculptures, which are mainly from Ganthara State of India. This exhibition assembled all rare and spectacular Buddha statues, which were created in the early period. Moreover, you can have explore various interesting materials and designs, especially, Gantara State of Buddha sculptured face, which is very much alike the Western architecture. You will definitely be amazed by it! The nearby zone also exhibits Indian style
artworks from the Central Asia that had spread to China in the past.
Pakistan Gantara State 2th Century
The artistic design of
sculpture of Buddha's face was influenced from Greek style
sculpture.
Chinese Bodhisattva's Head Kumutora Cave Tang Dynasty
Period 7-8 th Century
Historian made an important discovery
at the oasis along the silk road, at Kumutora Cave.
These Buddha's images were discovered there. We want you
to compare these with Indian architecture.
Enjoying the Exhibition, while Catching Historical Concept at Toyokan Hall 1st
Floor Room 1 Chinese Style Sculpture 5th Fl Room10 Korean Style Sculpture
Chinese Buddha`s sculpture was influenced by Indian Buddhism in 1st Century.
China has started to create the sculpture from 5th Century.
In Chinese exhibition hall exhibits Buddha sculptures from the Golden Age of Buddhism in China, dated back in
5th -10th Century. Looking back to many periods in the past, you will see that the styles of sculpture are
various and indeed very interesting. Moreover, visitors will be able to learn about history and local legends.
In Korean exhibition zone exhibits many rare sculptures and the expedition route which illustrates about how
Buddhism spread to Japan.
Important traditional heritage Gyuanim Bodhisattva 11 Faces
Okyoji Temple Zhan Gi Tang Dynasty Period 8th Century
(Contribution from Mr Hozokawa Moritatsu) In the past, this
sculpture was enshrined at Kotakuji Temple, built by Chinese
empress. Moreover, there is also the legend regarding this
Buddha's displayed in 4 languages.
Zhia Jiang Bodhisatva Three Kingdom Periods 7th Century
(Ogura Heritage Conservation Institution) Meditation style Korea Buddha sculpture is rare and hard to find. Apart from that, you
can also know about the legend and history of each
sculpture too.
Following Lord Buddha expedition, Another Path @ Toyokan Hall Underground 1st Fl. Room 11 Cambodian Sculpture Room 12 Golden Buddha Sculpture from Southeast Asia
Before these sculptures found their ways to Japan, they have been through a complex expedition. Starting from Cambodia sculpture and golden Lord Buddha statue from Southeast Asia, which all of the mentioned were influenced by
Indian Art. Later on, those architecture styles spread through China, and later to Japan..
Lord Buddha's statue Cambodia・Angkor・Angkor Wat №65
Angkor Period・12-13th Century (Exchange of East Asia Studies Institution in France) Buddha statue used as a decoration at
the Ankor Wat is carved sculpture with a friendly and
merciful facial expression
Meditation Buddha Sukhothai Period・14-15th Century Buddha
image from Sukhothai period. This sculpture has its own
unique in round carving, made it stand out among others
Amazing Japanese Buddha Statue Treasure Hall of Horyuji Temple 1st Fl. Room Main Hall 1st Fl Room 11
This exhibition mainly displays bronze Buddha sculptures
which were created during the later half of 19th Century
from Horyuji temple in Nara, in which later donated to the
museum by Imperial Family.
Finally, we have come to discover about Japanese
Buddha statues! Begin the expedition with the small
size golden Buddha statue in 6-8th century Exhibition at Treasure Hall of Horyuji Temple on the 1st Fl. Room2 Moreover, Korean Buddha sculptures which was sent to Japan during the early periods, has also been
exhibited in this area
This room locates at room 11 of the 1st floor of main hall , which illustrates the whole chapel.
Moreover, it also exhibits Kamakura period Buddha Statue（12-14C）
The climax point lies in the exhibition hall of room 11 on the 1st floor of the main hall, which displays about Buddha
Statue. The most interesting part is Tamame Statue (Buddha statue which is decorated with crystal ball on
forehead, which is considered as the unique style of Japanese sculpture) gives lively impressions, which appeals
you with beauty of thoroughness and color charming
Golden Age Bodhisattva Kamakura period・13th century
It is not only Tamame, but also it seems to have a
crystal ball in lower lip,with sad facial expression
Meditation Position of Amidaniyorai Kamakura period 12th-13th century Shizuoka Prefecture・Kanchoshi It is hard to identify the crystal. But if you look thoroughly you will realize the beauty of the sculpture in this exhibition.
The impression we received from collecting data to write this article is we realized the beauty of Buddha's
images from all origins and periods. When you visit this museum, you can try to compare the origins and period these Buddha's images are from.
＊Taking photo is strictly prohibited in some exhibition areas.
Therefore, there are no photos from those areas display here.
Tokyo National Museum
Access: JR 「Ueno」Station Park Exit or 「Ugusuidagi」 South Exit 10 Mins Walk
Tokyo Metro Ginza・Hibiya line 「Ueno」Station Exit7 15 Mins Walk,
Chiyoda Line 「Nezu」 Station Exit1 15Mins Walk
Keisei Line 「Keisei Ueno」Station Ikenohita Exit 15Mins Walk
Daito Bus: Bound for「Tozaimeguring」or 「Ueno Station・Ueno Park」、The first bus will take you to the bus stop in front of 「Tokyo National Museum」
Tokyo Prefecture Taito Uenokoen13-9 Telephone：03-5777-8600（Japanese）, 03-5405-8686（English）
Opening hours：9.30AM-17PM(Last Admission time 16.30PM）
＊ Weekend(Sat, Sun) and national holidays
(depends on season) and in case of special exhibition, closing time is subject to change.
Closed：Monday（In case of national holiday, Tuesday will be holiday), New Year
*Golden Week 13-15 August available everyday
Admission Fee：Ordinary 620Yen, College students 410Yen, Ordinary group visitors 520Yen,
College student group visitors 310 Yen
＊In case of group visitors, numbers of visitor must have at least 20 people
＊High school student under 18 years old and elderly above 70years old admission is free
http://www.tnm.jp/
※This shown price, which is researched on May 2014, is included 8% consumer tax.
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