August 12, 2015
A must-see exhibition for fans of Buddhist statues
Tomoji Iwai, Nara National Museum
The Nara National Museum is the second-oldest national museum in Japan and was constructed 120 years ago. This year, we are celebrating this anniversary with the 120th Anniversary Special Exhibition, Hakuho - The First Full Flowering of Buddhist Art in Japan.
The past decade or so has seen an increase in interest for Buddhist statues. There are many younger people visiting exhibits of Buddhist art. Special exhibits at famous temples are full of visitors and Buddhist statues are clearly more popular than they used to be. But, there are many more people in the world who believe that Buddhist statues all look the same and cannot appreciate their beauty.
This exhibition is intended for those who are still unsure about Buddhist statues. The Buddhist statues in this exhibit were made during the Hakuho period. The Hakuho period extends from the mid-seventh century to about 710 when the capital moved to Heijokyo in Nara. The Buddhist statues made during this period have a unique personality. Some are slim, others are stocky, and yet others have unibrows, cute faces, neatly trimmed faces, and relaxed faces. Some are large 3-meter tall statues, while others are small reliefs that can only be seen through a magnifying glass. We would like everyone to realize that a great variety of Buddhist statues were being made in a time more than 1300 years ago.
Through this exhibition, we want to let as many people feel the importance of passing down cultural properties to the next generation, starting with Buddhist art.
Finally, one final word to fans of Buddhist statues. If you miss this exhibit, you will no longer be able to call yourself a fan of Buddhist statues. It may sound boastful, but this collection features a number of very famous Buddhist statues. You cannot miss it!
National Treasure
National Treasure
Standing statue of Candraprabha (Yakushi-ji, Nara)
© Asakaen
Important Cultural Property
Standing statue of Buddha (Jindai-ji temple, Tokyo)
Important Cultural Property
Statue of Maitreya in half-lotus position (Yachu-ji Temple, Osaka)
[Exhibit Duration: July 19 to September 16]
Nara National Museum
50 Noborioji-cho, Nara City 630-8213
- Telephone
- 050-5542-8600 (NTT Hello Dial)
- Access
- From Kintetsu Nara Station, walk east for 15 minutes on Noboriji-cho
Board the City Loop Bus (No. 2) from JR Nara Station or Kintetsu Nara Station and get off at "Himurojinja / Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan" bus stop. - Museum Hours
- 9:30 to 17:00 (last admission is 30 minutes before closing)
- Holidays
- Closed on Mondays (If it is a statutory holiday, the museum will be closed the following day. If there are consecutive days, the closure will follow the last day of the holiday.)
- Admission
- General: 520 yen (410 yen)
University students: 260 yen (210 yen)
*Parentheses indicate rates for groups over 20
*Free admission for high school students, students younger than 18, and seniors over 70 (proof of age required).
*Free admission for disabled persons and their caretaker (disabled certificate required). - Website
- http://www.narahaku.go.jp/english/index_e.html
120th Anniversary Special Exhibition, Hakuho - The First Full Flowering of Buddhist Art in Japan.
- Exhibit Duration
- July 18, 2015 to September 23, 2015
- Museum Hours
- 9:30 to 18:00 (open until 19:00 every Friday and between August 5 to 15)
*last admission is 30 minutes before closing - Holidays
- Every Monday and July 21
*open on July 20 (Monday/holiday), August 10 (Monday), and September 21 (Monday/holiday) - Admission
-
*groups must have more than 20 peopleGeneral High school/university students Primary/middle school students Same-day admission 1,500 yen 1,000 yen 500 yen Group/Summer rate 1,200 yen 700 yen 300 yen
*tickets can be purchased from the Nara National Museum ticketing area, select stations on the Kintetsu line, Kinki Japan Tourist, JR Tokai Tours, JTB, Nippon Travel Agency (NTA), Lawson Ticket (L code: 58263), Ticket Pier (P code: 766-832), 7-11, primary ticket agencies such as E-plus, and convenience stores.
*Summer rate admissions allow entry every Friday and between August 5 to 15 after 17:00 (sold only at the Nara National Museum ticketing area after 17:00)
*Free admission for disabled persons and their caretaker (disabled certificate required).
*Nara National Museum campus student members may purchase same-day tickets for 400 yen. Please show your membership or student ID when buying your tickets.
*Same-day tickets can be purchased for 1400 yen with the Museums Grutto Pass KANSAI 2015. Please ask the ticketing agent.
*The following exhibitions can be viewed for free: Ancient Chinese Bronzeware (Sakamoto Collection) [Ritual Bronzes Gallery], Buddhist Statue Photo Gallery "Buddhas of Yamato – Through the Eyes of a Nara Museum Photographer," and 120th Anniversary "A Photographic Walk Through the History of the Nara National Museum" (lower passageway). - Website
- http://www.narahaku.go.jp/exhibition/2015toku/hakuhou/hakuhou_index.html