Page 131 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Japan

Must See
Must See
Honkan
TOP UNMISSABLE
4 EXHIBITS ▶ Spanning two floors, this gallery is arranged
chronologically to show the development
Ukiyo-e of Japanese art from Jomon-era (from
10,000 BC) clay figures to 19th-
Honkan is home to Museum Galleries century ukiyo-e woodblock prints
poetic woodblock showing everything from
prints, dating from the landscapes to scenes from
17th to 19th centuries. pleasure houses (right). In
between is everything from
Gilt Bronze Buddhas calligraphy and tea utensils to
Don’t miss the collection armor, as well as textiles used
of statues, all 30 to 40 cm in Noh and Kabuki. The first
(12 to 16 inches) tall, floor is themed, with stunning
in the Gallery of exhibits of sculpture, lacquer-
Horyu-ji Treasures.
ware, swords, and Western-
influenced modern art. The gallery
Korean Art is best navigated by working your
Ancient Korean pieces, way counter clockwise.
some dating from the
Bronze Age (100 BC to Toyokan
AD 300), are displayed
in Toyokan. Opened in 1968, Toyokan displays an excellent and eclectic collection
of Asian art that ranges from textiles to ceramics. Many of the exhibits
Haniwa Figures are from China and Korea – a consequence of these countries’ historic
From warriors to horses, ties with Japan. On the first floor, you’ll find beautiful Buddhist statues,
you’ll find charming while the second floor houses sculptures from India, as well as arti-
examples of these clay facts from Egypt and the Middle East. A collection of Chinese art spans
figures in Heiseikan. the third and fourth floors, and the final floor is dedicated to the
history of Korea, including the rise and fall of the country’s kings.
Heiseikan
Built in 1993 to commemorate the Crown Prince’s wedding – its name
translates as “to express congratulations” – the Heiseikan houses major
temporary exhibitions and a superb collection of Japanese archaeological
artifacts, with items from 10,000 to 7,000 BC onward. The highlight of
this collection is undoubtedly the Haniwa figures. Literally meaning
“clay ring,” Haniwa is used to describe earthenware sculptures that
were made for 4th- to 7th-century tombs and were thought to protect
the dead. The gallery also houses Jomon-period (14,500–300 BC) finds,
including dogu, ceramic figures with bulging eyes.
Gallery of Horyu-Ji
Treasures
◀ When the estates of Horyu-ji
Temple (p232) near Nara were
damaged during the Meiji
reforms, the impoverished
temple gave a number of its
treasures to the imperial family
in exchange for money to finance
its repairs. Over 300 of those
priceless treasures (left), including
rare and early Buddhist statues, masks
used for Gigaku dances, and beautifully
painted screens, are housed in this modern
gallery, designed by Yoshio Taniguchi.
Koruda Memorial Hall
Dedicated to Kuroda Seiki (1866–1924), this building displays the
Western-style artist’s oil paintings, sketches and other works. There
is also a collection of letters from the painter, giving a greater insight
into Kuroda’s life and times.
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