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Grand Opening Special Exhibition, The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan

Beauty Through the Ages: Treasures of the Imperial Collections

At the Museum

Dates
Venue The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan
Flyer for the special exhibition Beauty Through the Ages: Treasures of the Imperial Collections

The works on view in this exhibition speak to the cultural achievements of the imperial court throughout history, highlighting the Imperial Family’s role in shaping the broader national culture. Visitors will encounter some of the most iconic masterpieces in the Museum’s collection, including government-designated National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, many of which have been researched and written about extensively. Other highlights include the Shōsōin Treasures, which have been preserved by the Imperial Family for centuries, and the Hōryūji Treasures, a collection associated with Prince Shōtoku (574–622), one of Japan’s earliest proponents of Buddhism. These remarkable works—timeless treasures passed down by the Imperial Household—offer a window into the many cultural facets that have shaped the arts of Japan through the ages.

Exhibition Website
Flyer for the special exhibition Beauty Through the Ages: Treasures of the Imperial Collections
For details on timed-entry tickets, please visit the exhibition website. List of Works

Exhibition Overview

Exhibition

Grand Opening Special Exhibition
The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan
Beauty Through the Ages: Treasures of the Imperial Collections
Exhibition dates

Nov. 3, 2026 (Tues.) – Jan. 24, 2027 (Sun.)
Rotation One: Nov. 3 (Tues.) – Nov. 23 (Mon.)
Rotation Two: Nov. 26 (Thurs.) – Dec. 20 (Sun.)
Rotation Three: Dec. 23 (Wed.) – Jan. 24 (Sun.), 2027
*Please note that each exhibition period will feature a different selection of works.
Closed

Mondays; Nov. 24–25, Dec. 22, Dec. 28 – Jan. 3, 2027, and Jan. 12, 2027
*Exceptions: Nov. 23, 2026, and Jan. 11, 2027
(subject to change)
Hours

9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (last admission 4:30 p.m.)

Extended hours: On Fridays and Saturdays, the Museum is open until 8:00 p.m. (last admission 7:30 p.m.)
Venue

The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan
1-8 Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-0001 (within the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace)
General admission

¥2,500 (tax included)
A timed-entry ticket is required for this exhibition. Same-day tickets cannot be purchased at the Museum.
Advance reservations are also required for visitors eligible for free admission. (Some exceptions apply.)

* Admission is free for elementary, junior high, high school, and university students, as well as for visitors 23 years of age or under.
* Admission is free for visitors with a disability certificate and one accompanying carer.
* Visitors eligible for free admission must present a valid form of identification (student ID, disability certificate, etc.) on the day of their visit. (Children of elementary school age and under are exempt.)
* Depending on visitor numbers, there may be a wait to enter the Museum.
Organizers

The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan
The Yomiuri Shimbun
NHK
Special partnership

Imperial Household Agency
Agency for Cultural Affairs
Special sponsorship

Canon Inc.
Daiwa Securities Group
Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd.
T&D Insurance Group
Sponsorship

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.
Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd.
General inquiries

(+81)50-5541-8600 (NTT Hello Dial service)
9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Exhibition website

https://shozokan.nich.go.jp/feature/grand-opening/beauty/english.html
Official Instagram

@shozokan_pr
Official YouTube

@shozokan_pr
Tsumugu Project logo

A portion of the proceeds from these exhibitions will be used for conservation and restoration projects carried out through the Tsumugu Project.

Listed works held by the Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan, are either owned by the Museum or properties of the State of Japan.

List of Works

  • Red Sandalwood Biwa (Lute) with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay (North Section 27), China, Tang dynasty, or Nara period, 8th century, Shōsōin

    Red Sandalwood Biwa (Lute) with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay (North Section 27)

    China, Tang dynasty, or Nara period, 8th century

    Dates

    Shōsōin

  • Eight-Lobed Mirror with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay (North Section 42-7), China, Tang dynasty, 8th century, Shōsōin

    Eight-Lobed Mirror with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay (North Section 42-7)

    China, Tang dynasty, 8th century

    Dates

    Shōsōin

  • Scenes from The Tale of Genji, Kanō Tan'yū, Edo period, 1642, The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan

    Scenes from The Tale of Genji

    Kanō Tan'yū

    Edo period, 1642

    Dates

    The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan

  • Cabinet with Chrysanthemums in Maki-e Lacquer and Mother-of-Pearl Inlay, Design: Rokkaku Shisui, Maki-e: Kawanobe Itchō, Metal fittings: Unno Shōmin, Meiji era, 1903. Important Cultural Property, The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan

    Cabinet with Chrysanthemums in Maki-e Lacquer and Mother-of-Pearl Inlay

    Design: Rokkaku Shisui, Maki-e: Kawanobe Itchō, Metal fittings: Unno Shōmin

    Meiji era, 1903. Important Cultural Property

    Dates

    The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan

  • Phoenixes and the Rising Sun, Itō Jakuchū, Edo period, 1755, The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan

    Phoenixes and the Rising Sun

    Itō Jakuchū

    Edo period, 1755

    Dates

    The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan

  • Gigaku Mask, Chidō, Asuka period, 7th century. National Treasure, Tokyo National Museum

    Gigaku Mask, Chidō

    Asuka period, 7th century. National Treasure

    Dates

    Tokyo National Museum (Image: TNM Image Archives)

  • Dragon-Head Pitcher, Asuka period, 7th century. National Treasure, Tokyo National Museum

    Dragon-Head Pitcher

    Asuka period, 7th century. National Treasure

    Dates

    Tokyo National Museum (Image: TNM Image Archives)

  • Queen Maya and Heavenly Beings, Asuka period, 7th century. Important Cultural Property, Tokyo National Museum

    Queen Maya and Heavenly Beings

    Asuka period, 7th century. Important Cultural Property

    Dates

    Tokyo National Museum (Image: TNM Image Archives)

  • Creatures Great and Small, Yokoyama Kakei, Edo period, 19th century, The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan

    Creatures Great and Small

    Yokoyama Kakei

    Edo period, 19th century

    Dates

    The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan

  • Earthly Paradise and Sacred Mountains, Tomioka Tessai, Taishō era, 1923, The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan

    Earthly Paradise and Sacred Mountains

    Tomioka Tessai

    Taishō era, 1923

    Dates

    The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan

  • Map of the World and Renowned Cities, Edo period, 17th century. Important Cultural Property, The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan

    Map of the World and Renowned Cities

    Edo period, 17th century. Important Cultural Property

    Dates

    The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan

  • Vol. 1 of Illustrated Account of the Mongol Invasions (detail), Kamakura period, 13th century. National Treasure, The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan

    Vol. 1 of Illustrated Account of the Mongol Invasions (detail)

    Kamakura period, 13th century. National Treasure

    Dates

    The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan

  • Chinese Lions (right screen), Kanō Eitoku, Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th century. National Treasure, The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan

    Chinese Lions (right screen)

    Kanō Eitoku

    Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th century. National Treasure

    Dates

    The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan

  • Fan with Pearls, Joseon dynasty, 16th century, The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan

    Fan with Pearls

    Joseon dynasty, 16th century

    Dates

    The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan

  • Bonbonnière in the Shape of a Ritual Basket, Taishō era, 1915, The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan

    Bonbonnière in the Shape of a Ritual Basket

    Taishō era, 1915

    Dates

    The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan

  • Bugaku Dancer Performing "Manzairaku", Yamazaki Chōun, Shōwa era, 1928, The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan

    Bugaku Dancer Performing "Manzairaku"

    Yamazaki Chōun

    Shōwa era, 1928

    Dates

    The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan

  • Dragons Soaring, Yokoyama Taikan, Shōwa era, 1936, The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan

    Dragons Soaring

    Yokoyama Taikan

    Shōwa era, 1936

    Dates

    The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan

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