Exhibition Schedule

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.

Colorful Realm of Living Beings, a monumental series of 30 hanging-scroll paintings by Itō Jakuchū, who was active in Kyoto during the Edo period (1603–1868), is celebrated as a masterpiece of Japanese art. This exhibition marks the first time the entire series of scrolls has been displayed since their National Treasure designation in 2021. The exhibition also showcases a selection of masterpieces by other artists of the period.

Japanese calligraphy developed primarily among the aristocracy of the imperial court, as well as at temples and shrines, eventually becoming a cherished cultural tradition passed down through the ages. This exhibition explores the beauty of Japanese calligraphy through approximately 100 outstanding calligraphic works dating from the Nara period (710–794) to the modern era, including National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties.