SEIKADO BUNKO ART MUSEUM
Seikado Foundation

Exhibition

Past Exhibition 2025-26

Introduction to Painting:
A Guide to the Wonderful World of Gods, Buddhas, and Humans

July 5 (Sat.) – September 23 (Tue., public holiday), 2025
Exhibition period divided into two phases, with some changes to the items on display.
Part 1: July 5 (Sat.) – August 11 (Mon., public holiday)
Part 2: August 13 (Wed.) – September 23 (Tue., public holiday)
  • Designated Important Art Object, Mandala of Kasuga Shrine, 14th century, Nanboku-cho Period, Japan
    Designated Important Art Object,
    Mandala of Kasuga Shrine,
    14th century, Nanboku-cho Period, Japan
  • National Treasure, Segment of Zen paintings leading to enlightenment: Priest Zhichang, By Yintuoluo, 14th century, Yuan dynasty, China
    National Treasure,
    Segment of Zen paintings leading to enlightenment: Priest Zhichang, By Yintuoluo,
    14th century, Yuan dynasty, China
  • Important Cultural Property, Arhat, By Mu xi, 13th century, Southern Song dynasty, China
    Important Cultural Property,
    Arhat, By Mu xi,
    13th century, Southern Song dynasty, China
  • Illustrated Competition between Poets of Different Eras, By Sumiyoshi Gukei and Kanō Hidenobu, Edo period, 17th century
    Illustrated Competition between Poets of Different Eras, By Sumiyoshi Gukei and Kanō Hidenobu,
    Edo period, 17th century
  • Important Cultural Property, Illustrated Biography of Prince Shōtoku, 14th century, Kamakura Period, Japan
    Important Cultural Property,
    Illustrated Biography of Prince Shōtoku,
    14th century, Kamakura Period, Japan

This introductory exhibition focuses on the forms and gestures of gods, buddhas, and humans as they appear in antique works of art. “Who is this figure? What does this pose represent? What are these figures doing?” This accessible exhibition answers these and similar questions about some of the most frequently encountered depictions of human and divine figures in art and explains the stories behind them.

List of Works

The Miracle of Black:
Secrets of the Yōhen Tenmoku Tea Bowl

April 5 – June 22, 2025

  • National Treasure, Tea bowl, Yōhen Tenmoku, known as “Inaba Tenmoku”, Jian ware 12th-13th century, Southern Song dynasty, China
    National Treasure,
    Tea bowl, Yōhen Tenmoku, known as “Inaba Tenmoku”, Jian ware
    12th-13th century, Southern Song dynasty, China
  • Important Cultural Property, Tea bowl with black glaze, Yuteki (“oil spot” pattern) Tenmoku type, Jian ware 12th-13th century, Southern Song dynasty, China
    Important Cultural Property,
    Tea bowl with black glaze, Yuteki (“oil spot” pattern) Tenmoku type, Jian ware
    12th-13th century, Southern Song dynasty, China
  • Important Cultural Property, Tea-leaf jar with design of Mt.Yoshino in overglaze enamels, by Nonomura Ninsei 17th century, Edo period, Japan
    Important Cultural Property,
    Tea-leaf jar with design of Mt.Yoshino in overglaze enamels, by Nonomura Ninsei
    17th century, Edo period, Japan
  • Writing box with design of the moon and waves in maki-e, by Shimizu Kuhei 17th century, Edo period, Japan
    Writing box with design of the moon and waves in maki-e, by Shimizu Kuhei
    17th century, Edo period, Japan
  • Designated Important Art Object, Katana, signed “Minamoto Kiyomaro / A day in 8th month of 1847”, by Minamoto Kiyomaro 1847, Edo period, Japan (Accompanied by sword mounting of han-dachi type with black-lacquered scabbard with shaved ray-fish skin, with a hilt wrapped in oguramaki style, dated to Meiji period, 19th century)
    Designated Important Art Object,
    Katana, signed “Minamoto Kiyomaro / A day in 8th month of 1847”, by Minamoto Kiyomaro
    1847, Edo period, Japan
    (Accompanied by sword mounting of han-dachi type with black-lacquered scabbard with shaved ray-fish skin, with a hilt wrapped in oguramaki style, dated to Meiji period, 19th century)

Yōhen Tenmoku tea bowls rank among the supreme masterpieces of Chinese ceramics, and only three examples survive anywhere in the world, including one in the Seikado collection. This exhibition focuses on the mysterious black that is the base for the bowl’s shimmering allure, and looks at a diverse range of East Asian artworks that make powerful use of the color black, including ceramics, lacquerware, and Japanese swords. Join us on an exploration of the hidden mysteries of the Yōhen Tenmoku tea bowl based on the latest research.

List of Works

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