TAB Event - "Zen Treasures from the Kyoto Gozan Temples" Exhibition

This event has ended.
At Tokyo National Museum
Media: Painting, Sculpture, Art Talk

print

Modeled after a Chinese system of monasteries, Gozan is the group of highest-ranked Zen temples in Japan. Nanzenji in Kyoto was the highest ranked among the Gozan temples, and the following five are Tenryuji, Shokokuji, Kenninji, Tofukuji, and Manjuji. The Gozan system underwent several changes after it was introduced to Japan, and in 1386 Kyoto Gozan was confirmed when the Shogun Yoshimitsu designated Nanzenji the head of the Kyoto Gozan temples, including Shokokuji which he founded. The Gozan temples were the leaders of a powerful network of Zen temples throughout the country. Zen monks came and went between China and Japan, which led to Chinese culture taking root in the Kyoto Gozan and other Japanese Zen temples, and as a result, the culture of this period was greatly influenced. In addition, the Zen priests of the Kyoto Gozan played an important role in Yoshimitsu's revival of official relations with China.

In commemoration of the 600th anniversary of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, this exhibition presents famous Zen works from the Kamakura period to the Muromachi period, from the Kyoto Gozan and related temples. On display for the first time are many works of principle images and portrait sculptures of Zen monks. Through the 230 or so exhibits, visitors can gain an overview of the process by which Zen culture, introduced from China, became a part of the traditional court culture of Kyoto.

• Themed Lectures:
"Culture in the Kyoto Gozan Temples"
1."Gozan School Sculptures"
Auditorium, Heiseikan
June 9th (Sat), 13:30 - 15:00
Lecture by: Asami Ryusuke, Curator of Japanese Sculpture

2."Paintings in the Kyoto Gozan Temples"
Auditorium, Heiseikan
June 30th (Sat), 13:30 - 15:00
Lecture by: Kunigo Hideaki, Curator of Japanese Painting

3."The Muromachi Shogunate Diplomacy and Kyoto Gozan Temples"
Auditorium, Heiseikan
July 14th (Sat), 2007,13:30 - 15:00
Lecture by: Hashimoto Yu, Associate Professor, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Letters

4."The Arts & Science and Gozan Temple Priests"
Auditorium, Heiseikan
July 28th (Sat), 13:30 - 15:00
Lecture by: Tarashima Satoshi, Curator of Japanese History

• Commemorative lectures:
"History and Culture of the Kyoto Gozan Temples"
Auditorium, Heiseikan
August 4th (Sat), 13:30 - 15:00
Lecture by: Asami Ryusuke, Curator of Japanese Sculpture

"Zen Landscapes"
Auditorium, Heiseikan
August 25th (Sat), 13:30 - 15:00
Lecture by: Arima Raitei, Chief abbot of the Shokokuji Branch of the Rinzai Zen School

For details of other related events, please see the museum's homepage (details listed in Japanese only).

Community around this event

• 1 person recommends this event: kgarten (Japan / 日本)

Reviews

This event is already finished, and reviewing is closed.