特別展「法然と極楽浄土」／【九州会場】2025年10月7日（火）～11月30日（日）九州国立博物館／（左から）重要文化財「阿弥陀如来立像」(部分)　鎌倉時代・建暦2年（1212）　浄土宗蔵、国宝「阿弥陀二十五菩薩来迎図(早来迎)」(部分)　鎌倉時代・14世紀　京都・知恩院蔵、「法然上人像(隆信御影)」(部分)　鎌倉時代・14世紀　京都・知恩院蔵

Special Exhibition: Hōnen and Pure Land Buddhism

The Japanese priest Hōnen (also known as Hōnen-bō Genkū, 1133–1212) was the founder of the Jōdo Shū, Japan’s first Pure Land school of Buddhism. He lived amid a turbulent era spanning from the end of the Heian period (794–1185) to the beginning of the Kamakura period (1185–1333). During this age of upheaval, Hōnen gained widespread support by advocating that anyone, regardless of their rank or circumstances in life, has the potential to attain salvation and be born into the Pure Land paradise of Amida (Amitābha) Buddha after death. Hōnen taught that the means of achieving this is to repeatedly chant the prayerful invocation Namu Amida Butsu ("I take refuge in Amitābha Buddha"), known as the "nenbutsu."

This exhibition celebrates the 850th anniversary of the founding of Jōdo Shū through an exploration of the history of Japanese Pure Land Buddhism, beginning with Hōnen's founding of the school and extending through to the creation of various denominations by his disciples and the establishment of their respective doctrines. The exhibition also examines how Jōdo Shū grew and expanded significantly through the patronage of the Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo period (1615–1868). This historical journey will be traced through precious artworks, including numerous National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties associated with this school of Pure Land Buddhism.

Overview & Access

Tokyo
Kyoto
Kyushu (Fukuoka)

Tokyo Venue

*Tokyo venue has closed.

Exhibition	Special Exhibition: Hōnen and Pure Land Buddhism
Period	April 16 – June 9, 2024 * During the exhibition there will be rotations in which some of the artworks will be replaced with other works.
Closed	Mondays (except for April 29 and May 6), May 7
Hours	9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. * Last admission 30 minutes before closing
Venue	Heiseikan, Tokyo National Museum (Ueno Park) 13-9 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-8712, Japan
Organizers	Tokyo National Museum; NHK; NHK Promotions Inc.; The Yomiuri Shimbun
With the Special Sponsorship of	Canon Inc.; Daiwa Securities Group; T&D Insurance Group; Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd.
With the Sponsorship of	East Japan Railway Company; SHIMIZU CORPORATION; TAKENAKA CORPORATION; Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation; Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.; MITSUBISHI GAS CHEMICAL CO., INC.; MITSUBISHI ESTATE CO., LTD.; Mitsubishi Corporation
With the Special Support of	Jōdo Shū 850th Anniversary Celebration Committee; Agency for Cultural Affairs
With the Support of	Nissha Co., Ltd.
General Inquiries	(+81)50-5541-8600 (Hello Dial)

List of Works(Tokyo Venue)/Download/PDF/1.22MB

Tokyo National Museum

13-9 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-8712, Japan

10 minutes’ walk from JR Ueno Station (Park exit) and Uguisudani Station (South Exit)
15 minutes’ walk from Keisei Ueno Station, Tokyo Metro Ueno Station and Tokyo Metro Nezu Station

Admissions

	Advance tickets	Same-day tickets
Adults	1,900yen	2,100yen
University Students	1,100yen	1,300yen
High School Students	700yen	900yen
Junior high school students and younger	Free

Tickets can be reserved and purchased from the official online ticket.

* Junior high school students and under and persons with disabilities and one accompanying person each are admitted free. Please present an ID at the ticket booth.
* Visitors can view this exhibition without making reservations. Tickets may also be purchased at the ticket counter, but you may be asked to wait if the exhibition is crowded.
* Tickets for this exhibition can also be used to visit the general exhibitions on the same day.
* During the exhibition there will be rotation in which some of the artworks will be replaced with other works.

Kyoto Venue

*Kyoto venue has closed.

Exhibition	Special Exhibition: Hōnen and Pure Land Buddhism
Period	October 8 – December 1, 2024 * The exhibition has two installations: Part I: October 8–November 4, 2024 Part II: November 6–December 1, 2024 Some artworks may be rotated during the exhibition period.
Venue	Kyoto National Museum, Heisei Chishinkan Wing 527 Chaya-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Japan 605-0931
Organizers	Kyoto National Museum; NHK Kyoto Station; NHK Enterprises, Inc., Osaka Branch Office; The Yomiuri Shimbun
With the Special Sponsorship of	Canon Inc.; Daiwa Securities Group; T&D Insurance Group; Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd.
With the Sponsorship of	East Japan Railway Company; SHIMIZU CORPORATION; TAKENAKA CORPORATION; Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation; Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.; MITSUBISHI GAS CHEMICAL CO., INC.; MITSUBISHI ESTATE CO., LTD.; Mitsubishi Corporation
With the Special Support of	Jōdo Shū 850th Anniversary Celebration Committee; Agency for Cultural Affairs
With the Support of	Nissha Co., Ltd.
General Inquiries	075-525-2473

Kyoto National Museum

527 Chaya-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto

Via JR, Subway or Kintetsu Railway Get off at Kyoto Station. From bus platform D2 in front of the station, take City Bus #206 or #208 to "Hakubutsukan Sanjusangendo-mae" bus stop.
Via Keihan Railway Get off at Shichijo Station. Walk east along Shichijo Street for about seven minutes.
Via Hankyu Railway Get off at Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station. Walk east over the bridge to the Keihan Railway Gion-Shijo Station. Take Osaka-bound Keihan train to Shichijo Station. Walk east along Shichijo Street about seven minutes.

Admissions

	Advance tickets	Same-day tickets
Adults	1,600yen	1,800yen
University Students	1,000yen	1,200yen
High School Students	500yen	700yen

Ticket on Smartphone / Print At Home / Online Ticket / Click here to buy tickets

Kyushu Venue

Exhibition	Special Exhibition: Hōnen and Pure Land Buddhism
Period	October 7 – November 30, 2025 * During the exhibition there will be rotations in which some of the artworks will be replaced with other works.
Venue	Kyushu National Museum 4-7-2 Ishizaka, Dazaifu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, 818-0118, Japan
Organizers	Kyushu National Museum; Fukuoka Prefecture; NHK Fukuoka Station; NHK Enterprises Fukuoka Branch Office; The Yomiuri Shimbun
Co-organizer	Kyushu National Museum Promotion Foundation
With the Special Support of	Jōdo Shū 850th Anniversary Celebration Committee; Dazaifu Tenmangu; Agency for Cultural Affairs
With the Support of	Nissha Co., Ltd.
General Inquiries	(+81) 50–5542–8600 (Hello Dial) *in Japanese only

Kyushu National Museum

4-7-2 Ishizaka, Dazaifu City, Fukuoka, 818-0118

10 minutes’ walk from Dazaifu Station
* If you take the Nishitetsu Tenjin-Omuta line, please transfer to the Nishitetsu Dazaifu line at Nishitetsu Futsukaichi station.