Exhibition
Current Exhibition
Special Exhibition
“Ganpuku”:
A Feast for the Eyes – The Seikado’s Tea Utensil Treasures
with Masterpieces of Former Daimyō Collections
September 10 – November 4, 2024
This exhibition presents an exquisite selection of formal tea utensils that previously belonged to prominent feudal lords, including the famous Tsukumo-nasu and Matsumoto-nasu “eggplant” tea caddies that were highlights of the collections of Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, the legendary warlords who reunified Japan after more than a century of civil war. This exhibition brings together some of the highlights of the Seikado’s outstanding collection of tea ceremony utensils and promises a true feast for the eyes.
Next Exhibition
Elegance of Heian Literature:
The National Treasure The Tale of Genji Screens and the Evolution of Court Esthetics
November 16, 2024 – January 13, 2025
This exhibition focuses on Japanese art inspired by Heian Literature, including calligraphic scrolls, paintings of scenes from the Tale of Genji and Tale of Heiji, and exquisite craftworks. Visitors to this exhibition can enjoy the splendors of Heian literature through artistic masterpieces including sections from the Wakan Roeishō poetry anthology, known as “Ōta edition”and Tawaraya Sōtatsu’s “Channel Markers”(Miotsukushi) and “The Barrier Gate”(Sekiya) of the Tale of Genji,” both national treasures.
Exhibition Schedule 2024-25
190 Years Since the Birth of Toyohara Kunichika
Kabuki Prints:
First Exhibition of Treasured Ukiyo-e Prints
- January 25 – March 23, 2025
This exhibition draws on the Seikado Bunko’s collection of nishiki-e to trace the development of polychrome woodblock print depictions of kabuki actors, from early ukiyo-e through nishiki-e to the end of the feudal period and the birth of the Meiji era. Items on show include prints by Kunisada, who produced more portraits of actors than any other ukiyo-e artist, and the first ever exhibition of a previously unseen nishiki-e print by Kunichika, one of his disciples, who was known as the “Sharaku of the Meiji era.” Immerse yourself in the sensual delights of these colorful nishiki-e prints.