National Treasure Segments of Vol. 2 of the Man’yōshū Poetry Anthology (Known as the Kanazawa-bon Man’yōshū)
Fujiwara no Sadanobu
Heian Period, 12th century
The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shōzōkan
(Exhibited at the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art during the 1st term of the exhibition)
An exhibition featuring the artistic treasures of the Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan (Tokyo), will be held at two venues in the historical city of Kanazawa — the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art and National Crafts Museum — this fall, as the main feature of National Cultural Festival 2023, a yearly national event to promote cultural activities in Japan.
National Treasure Segments of Vol. 6 of the Man’yōshū Poetry Anthology (Known as the Kanazawa-bon Man’yōshū) Fujiwara no Sadanobu Heian Period, 12th century Maeda Ikutokukai Foundation (Exhibited at the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art during the 1st term of the exhibition)
The Imperial Household and Ishikawa: Brilliance of Elegant Beauty — Masterpieces from The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shōzōkan
Oct 14 (Sat) – Nov 26 (Sun), 2023
Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art National Crafts Museum (Kanazawa)
*See outline below for details
Scenes from The Tale of Genji Kanō Tan’yū Edo Period, 1642 The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shōzōkan (Exhibited at the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art during the 1st term of the exhibition)
“The Imperial Household and Ishikawa: Brilliance of Elegant Beauty — Masterpieces from The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shōzōkan,” the exhibition set to open on Oct. 14, 2023, will highlight artistic treasures from among the Imperial collections, especially those associated with the prefecture of Ishikawa in the Hokuriku region of Japan’s main island Honshu. Among the works associated with Ishikawa are the “Manyoshu Poetry Anthology” (a.k.a Kanazawa-bon Manyoshu: top photo), a newly designated national treasure which is known to have been presented to the Imperial Household from the Maeda family of the old Kaga domain (present-day Ishikawa Prefecture), and the “Scenes from The Tale of Genji” folding screens by Edo-period painter Kano Tan’yu.
National Treasure Dōshoku Sai-e (Colorful Realm of Living Beings) Right: “Peonies and Small Birds” Left: “Chickens” Itō Jakuchū Edo Period, 18th century The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shōzōkan (“Chickens” will be exhibited at the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art during the 1st term of the exhibition, “Peonies and Small Birds” during the 2nd term)
The exhibition will also showcase exquisite works such as “Peonies and Small Birds” and “Chickens” from Edo-period painter Ito Jakuchu’s “Dōshoku Sai-e (Colorful Realm of Living Beings),” a designated national treasure, and the “Ornament in the Shape of Bugaku Dancer Performing ‘Taiheiraku (Music of Eternal Peace),’” a Meiji-period metalwork masterpiece by Unno Shomin.
Ornament in the Shape of Bugaku Dancer Performing “Taiheiraku (Music of Eternal Peace)” Unno Shōmin, 1899 The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shōzōkan (Exhibited at the National Crafts Museum for the entire duration of the exhibition)
The Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art will serve as the main venue for the exhibition of paintings, sculptures, calligraphy and swords, while the National Crafts Museum, as a matter of course, will focus on craft art. A total of about 120 works, including designated national treasures and important cultural properties, will go on display during the exhibition.
Works to go on display at Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art
National Treasure Traced Copy of a Letter Known as Kong Shi Zhong Tie Copy of calligraphy of Wang Xizhi Copy: Tang Period, 7th-8th century Original: Eastern Jin Period, 4th century Maeda Ikutokukai Foundation (Exhibited at the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art during the 2nd term of the exhibition)National Treasure Traced Copy of a Letter Known as Sangluantie Copy of calligraphy of Wang Xizhi Copy: Tang Period, 7th-8th century Original: Eastern Jin Period, 4th century The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shōzōkan (Exhibited at the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art during the 2nd term of the exhibition) National Treasure Katana Sword, Unsigned, Known as Meibutsu Tarōsaku Masamune Masamune Kamakura Period, 14th century Maeda Ikutokukai Foundation (Exhibited at the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art for the entire duration of the exhibition) Katana Sword, Unsigned (Attributed to Masamune under the Name “Wakasa Masamune”) Sōshū Masamune Kamakura Period, 14th century The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shōzōkan (Exhibited at the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art during the 2nd term of the exhibition)
National Treasure Kasuga Gongen Genki E (Illustrated Scrolls of The Miracles of the Kasuga Deity), Vol. 8 Takashina Takakane Kamakura Period, ca. 1309 The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shōzōkan (Exhibited at the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art for the entire duration of the exhibition; scenes on display will be swapped out during the run)
Various Animals Maruyama Ōkyo Edo Period, 18th century The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shōzōkan (Exhibited at the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art for the entire duration of the exhibition; panels on display will be swapped out during the run)
Scattered Fans Tawaraya Sōtatsu Edo Period, 17th century The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shōzōkan (Exhibited at the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art for the entire duration of the exhibition; panels on display will be swapped out during the run)
Grandest Peak in Japan Yokoyama Taikan 1928 The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shōzōkan (Exhibited at the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art during the 1st term of the exhibition) Vase with Floral and Arabesque Patterns in Zōgan Inlay Kanazawa Dōki Gaisha (Co.) 1891 The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shōzōkan (Exhibited at the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art for the entire duration of the exhibition)
The Sannomaru Shozokan — founded in 1993 and located in the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo — houses about 9,800 works of art passed down in the Imperial family. The museum is now closed for major renovations and has been putting on exhibitions in various parts of Japan to highlight the Imperial Household’s affinity with local traditions.
These exhibitions are organized with special cooperation from the Tsumugu Project, a joint effort between Japan’s Cultural Affairs Agency, Imperial Household Agency and national daily newspaper The Yomiuri Shimbun (Tokyo) to help preserve the nation’s artistic treasures.
Works to go on display at National Crafts Museum:
Ornaments in the Shape of Chicken Family Yukio Yukio, 1892 The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shōzōkan (Exhibited at the National Crafts Museum for the entire duration of the exhibition)Pair of Celadon Ware Vases with Chinese Phoenix and Cloud Design Suwa Sozan I, 1919 The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shōzōkan (Exhibited at the National Crafts Museum for the entire duration of the exhibition)Box with Heron Design in Maki-e Matsuda Gonroku, 1958 The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shōzōkan (Exhibited at the National Crafts Museum for the entire duration of the exhibition)Cloisonné Incense Caddy with Hōsōge Floral Design (Accompanies Cabinet with Design of Chinese Phoenixes and Chrysanthemums) Andō Jūbei, 1928 The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shōzōkan (Exhibited at the National Crafts Museum for the entire duration of the exhibition) Cabinet with Design of Chinese Phoenixes and Chrysanthemums in Maki-e Shimada Yoshinari and others, 1928 The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shōzōkan (Exhibited at the National Crafts Museum for the entire duration of the exhibition)Carved Metal Western-Style Stationery Set (Accompanies Cabinet with Design of Chinese Phoenixes and Chrysanthemums) Chikami Yōsai (design), Yamakawa Kōji II (craftwork), 1928 The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shōzōkan (Exhibited at the National Crafts Museum for the entire duration of the exhibition)
Incense Burner in the Shape of Rooster on a Kanko (Warning Drum from Legend) Yamao Jikichi, 1900 The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shōzōkan (Exhibited at the National Crafts Museum for the entire duration of the exhibition)
Kutani Ware Ornament in the Shape of Gagaku Dancer Performing “Manzairaku (Music of Ten Thousand Years)” Tokuda Yasokichi I and others, 1928 The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shōzōkan (Exhibited at the National Crafts Museum for the entire duration of the exhibition)
Brass Vase with Design of Cranes and Reeds in Gold and Silver Zōgan Inlay Mizuno Genroku IX, 1910 The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shōzōkan (Exhibited at the National Crafts Museum for the entire duration of the exhibition)
Ceramic Vase with Flower and Bird Design (Accompanies Cabinet with Design of Chinese Phoenixes and Chrysanthemums) Itaya Hazan, 1928 The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shōzōkan (Exhibited at the National Crafts Museum for the entire duration of the exhibition)
Outline of the event
Schedule
Sat, Oct 14, 2023〜Sun, Nov 26, 2023
The Imperial Household and Ishikawa: Brilliance of Elegant Beauty
— Masterpieces from The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shōzōkan
1st term: Oct 14 (Sat) - Nov 5 (Sun)
2nd term: Nov 7 (Tue) - 26 (Sun)
Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art
2-1 Dewamachi, Kanazawa
National Crafts Museum
3-2 Dewamachi, Kanazawa
Admission
Price of combination tickets for both museums
Adults: 1,500 yen (1,200 yen*)
65 years of age and older: 1,200 yen
University students: 1,000 yen (800 yen*)
High school students and younger (or under 18 years of age): Free
Visitors with disabilites (presentation of certificate required) and one caregiver: Free
*Per person in groups of 20 or more people
Closing day
Nov 6 (Mon)
Contact
Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art
Tel. 076-231-7580
National Crafts Museum
Tel. 050-5541-8600 (Hello Dial)
