This exhibition unlocks a "Treasure Chest of Art," offering a glimpse into the world of Japanese art through 82 diverse works, including masterpieces that are the gems of the Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan, as well as works in the collection of the Tokyo University of the Arts.

Of particular importance are the many outstanding pieces that have been handed down within the Imperial Family, which has been at the center of Japanese culture for generations and has protected and patronized the fine arts. In addition, the Tokyo Fine Arts School—the predecessor of the Tokyo University of the Arts, where this exhibition is being held—is where the famous scholar and art critic Okakura Tenshin gave the first systematic lectures on Japanese art history in 1890. The University has continued to play an important role in art education and research ever since.

Japanese art is often thought to be difficult to appreciate without specialized knowledge, but by approaching it through these two institutions with such strong historical backgrounds, this exhibition will provide an easy to understand introduction to its enduring appeal based on four themes, "Japanese Art Evolving from Letters," "People and Various Stories of their Livings" "Sentiments Towards Living Beings," and "Touched by Scenery." We hope you will enjoy the rich and expansive world of Japanese art, ranging from well-known masterpieces to small but charming objets d’art.