Exhibition of works from Imperial collection opens in Tokyo

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Visitors look at a painting titled “Chinese Lions” during a private viewing at the University Art Museum, Tokyo University of the Arts in Ueno Park, Tokyo, on Friday.

A special exhibition featuring 82 artworks associated with the Imperial family opened Saturday at a museum in Ueno, Tokyo.

The exhibition, titled “Themes in Japanese Art from the Imperial Collection,” includes five works that were designated last year as national treasures: “Kasuga Gongen Genki-e” (Legends of Kasuga Shrine) by Takashina Takakane, which epitomizes Yamato-e painting of the Kamakura period (late 12th century to 1333); “Illustrated Scrolls of the Mongol Invasions” (creator unknown); “Chinese Lions,” folding screens painted by Kano Eitoku; “Doshoku Sai-e” (Colorful Realm of Living Beings), hanging scrolls by Ito Jakuchu; and “Byobu Dodai” (Draft for Screen Poem), a handscroll by Ono no Michikaze.

Some works may be rotated during the exhibition period. Jakuchu’s hanging scrolls — 10 from a set of 30 — will be exhibited from Aug. 30.

The exhibition, organized by The Yomiuri Shimbun and other organizations, features paintings and artifacts from the Imperial Household Agency’s Sannomaru Shozokan collection and runs through Sept. 25 at the University Art Museum, Tokyo University of the Arts.

The exhibition is being held as part of the “Tsumugu Project” to convey the beauty of Japan.

Visit https://tsumugu.yomiuri.co.jp/tamatebako2022/english.html, for more information.