[Image: 'Unohanagaki' tea bowl, Shino ware, National Treasure (sixteenth-seventeenth century) Mitsui Memorial Museum Collection]

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Founded in 1872, the Tokyo National Museum has the longest history of any museum in Japan. The museum collects, stores, restores, exhibits, conducts research and education on a wide range of cultural properties, including Japanese and Oriental art and archaeology.  In the comprehensive cultural exhibition, about 3,000 items from the museum's collection and deposited items, including works of art (including national treasures and important cultural properties), historical materials, and archaeological artifacts, are displayed at all times, and the exhibits are regularly changed 300 to 400 times a year.  There are six exhibition halls in total. The main building (Japan Gallery) displays Japanese art, the Toyokan (Asian Gallery) displays Oriental art, and the Gallery of Horyuji Treasures displays treasures donated by Horyuji Temple. The Heiseikan has a gallery of Japanese archaeological artifacts on the first floor and a gallery dedicated to special exhibitions on the second floor. The Heiseikan also houses the Kuroda Memorial Hall, which displays the works of Western-style painter Seiki Kuroda. The Hyokeikan is open only during special exhibitions and events.

Chanoyu: The Arts of Tea Ceremony, The Essence of Japan