Inaugurated in 1872, the Tokyo National Museum the oldest museum in Japan is known for holding the largest collection of Japanese art works in the world. Its permanent collection comprises of 110,000 objects of which 600 are categorised as important cultural property. In addition to the comprehensive collection of Japanese artworks and antiquities, it’s collections of books, rubbings and photographs related to fine art and some excellent pieces of Asian art from countries along the ancient Silk Road and Greco Buddhist art is much valued. The museum moved to its present location in Ueno Park in 1882.
As the museum has about 3000 items on display at any given time even frequent visitors will find something new on each visit. Collections are displayed in the museum’s five buildings. The Japanese Gallery or Honkan is devoted to Japanese art and artefacts and displays finds such as Buddhist sculptures from about the 538 to 1192 CE, landscape paintings reflecting each season, paintings of birds, and animals and religious figures. Additionally calligraphy, metal ware from 3000 to 2000 BCE, swords and armour, delicate ceramics glazed, unglazed, painted and plain, wood block prints, traditional Japanese clothing, textiles, lacquer ware and bamboo articles can also be found.
The three storied Asian Gallery or Tokoyan comprises of ten exhibition rooms arranged according to seven regions. The galleries are dedicated to artwork, textiles, floor coverings, ceramics and archaeological finds from several locations in Southeast Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Iran, Java, the Middle East and from the Song, Tang, Ming, Yuan and Qing Dynasties of China. Among this astonishing collection are some of the first depictions of the Buddha dated to the 1st and 2nd centuries BCE, an Egyptian mummy dated to the 7th century BCE and wooden objects from around 2000 BCE.
The Heiseikan Gallery is where the archaeological finds of ancient Japan are. They include decorated clay jars and pottery, clay burial figurines, keyhole shaped tombs from about 400 BCE, bronze headgear, clay tablets among others, some dating from the Neolithic period. The Gallery of Horyuji Treasures displays Buddhist artefacts from the Horyuji Temple in Nara founded in 607 CE.
In addition to collection, display and management of its treasures the museum runs several education programmes for schools and the public, carries out research, holds lectures, workshops, concerts, talks, special and thematic exhibitions. The museum shop sells reproductions and original work by contemporary artists.
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Nigel Walters is a travel writer, who writes under the pen name, Free Spirit. His content is based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life.