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 Venue
*Tokyo venue has closed.
Exhibition |
Special Exhibition: Hōnen and Pure Land Buddhism |
Period |
April 16 – June 9, 2024
|
Closed |
Mondays (except for April 29 and May 6), May 7 |
Hours |
9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
|
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) |
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
Exhibition |
Special Exhibition: Hōnen and Pure Land Buddhism |
Period |
October 8 – December 1, 2024
|
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 |
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 |
Kyushu Venue
Exhibition |
Special Exhibition: Hōnen and Pure Land Buddhism |
Period |
October 7 – November 30, 2025
|
Venue |
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)
|
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.
- ※開館時間、休館日、観覧料、展示期間等の情報は、確定し次第、本サイトでお知らせします。
- ※展示作品、会期等については、今後の諸事情により変更する場合があります。最新情報は本サイトでご確認ください。
