Overview

Famed for its spring verdure and autumn foliage, Tōfuku-ji is one of Kyoto’s most important Zen temples. It was established during the early Kamakura period on order of the imperial regent and advisor Kujō Michiie (1193–1252). Michiie entrusted the founding to Enni (Shōichi Kokushi, 1202–1280), a priest who had previously traveled to China to study Zen (Ch: Chan) Buddhism. The name "Tōfuku-ji" was taken from the first character of Tōdai-ji and the second character of Kōfuku-ji, both grand, ancient temples in Nara. Tōfuku-ji is especially known for its expansive temple precincts, boasting an array of colossal structures dating back as far as the medieval period.


This exhibition offers the rare opportunity to view a large number of Tōfuku-ji’s greatest treasures in a single venue. Notably, the legendary Buddhist painter Minchō’s Five Hundred Arhats, a set of originally fifty hanging scrolls, is being displayed in its entirety for the first time since its multiyear conservation was completed. Many of the precious cultural properties from Tōfuku-ji in this exhibition somehow survived the fires and destruction of the Ōnin War of 1467–77. These include masterpieces of Buddhist sculpture, painting, and calligraphy befitting the monumental scale of this monastic complex.


Tōfuku-ji’s history itself exemplifies the cosmopolitan culture of Zen Buddhism that blossomed through exchanges with the rest of Asia. In exploring this temple’s significance within Japanese culture, the exhibition illuminates Tōfuku-ji’s enduring appeal from its founding through the present.

Exhibitions

TOKYO

Title

Special Exhibition: Tōfuku-ji

Monumental Zen Temple of Kyoto

Period

March 7 (Tue) - May 7, 2023 (Sun)

Venue

Heiseikan, Tokyo National Museum (Ueno Park)

13-9 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-8712

Hours

9:30-17:00

  • * Last admission 30 minutes before closing

Closed

Mondays

  • * except for March 27 and May 1

Organizers

Tokyo National Museum, Tofuku-ji, The Yomiuri Shimbun, NHK,
NHK Promotions Inc., Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan

With the Special Sponsorship of

Canon Inc., Daiwa Securities Group, Mitsui Fudosan Co.,Ltd.,
MITSUBISHI ESTATE CO.,LTD., Meiji Holdings Co.,Ltd.

With the Sponsorship of

East Japan Railway Company, SHIMIZU CORPORATION,
TAKENAKA CORPORATION, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation,
Mitsubishi Corporation

With the Support of

Live Art Books Inc.

General Inquiries

050-5541-8600 (Hello Dial)

A part of the proceeds from the exhibition will be used in a scheme under the TSUMUGU Project to help repair Japan's cultural properties.
Tokyo National Museum (Map)

Tokyo National Museum (Ueno Park)

13-9 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo


  • 10 minutes’ walk from JR Ueno Station (Park exit) and Uguisudani Station.
  • 15 minutes’ walk from Keisei Ueno Station, Tokyo Metro Ueno Station and Tokyo Metro Nezu Station.

Admissions

Adults

2,100yen (1,900yen)

University Students

1,300yen (1,100yen)

High School Students

900yen (700yen)

  • * Prices in parentheses indicate discount ticket prices for advance purchase.
  • * Free admission for junior high school students and younger. Please present proof of age when entering the museum.
  • * Free admission for persons with disabilities and one caregiver of individuals with disabilities. Please present a certificate of disabilities when entering the museum. Entry is possible until 30 minutes before closing time.
  • * Tickets for this exhibition can also be used to visit the general exhibitions on the same day.
  • * During the exhibition there will be rotation in which some of the artworks will be replaced with other works.

Special Sponsorship

  • Canon
  • Daiwa Securities Group
  • MITSUI FUDOSAN
  • MITSUBISHI ESTATE
  • meiji

Sponsorship

  • JR-EAST
  • SHIMIZU CORPORATION
  • TAKENAKA CORPORATION
  • SMBC SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION
  • Mitsubishi Corporation

KYOTO

Title

Special Exhibition: Tōfuku-ji

Monumental Zen Temple of Kyoto

Period

October 7–December 3, 2023

The exhibition has two installations:
Part I: October 7–November 5, 2023
Part II: November 7–December 3, 2023
Some artworks may be rotated during the exhibition period.

Venue

Kyoto National Museum, Heisei Chishinkan Wing

527 Chaya-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Japan 605-0931

Hours

9:00–17:30

  • * Last admission 30 minutes before closing

Closed

Mondays

  • * The museum will be open on Monday, October 9, and closed on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.

Organizers

Kyoto National Museum; Tōfuku-ji; The Yomiuri Shimbun; NHK Kyoto Station; NHK Enterprises, INC. Osaka Branch Office

With the Sponsorship of

Iwatani Corporation; Kinden Corporation; Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd.; Non-Destructive Inspection Co., Ltd.

With the Support of

Live Art Books

In Conjunction with

Kyoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry

General Inquiries

075-525-2473

Kyoto National Museum (map)

Kyoto National Museum

527 Chaya-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto


  • Via JR, Subway or Kintetsu Railway
    Get off at Kyoto Station. From bus platform D2 in front of the station, take City Bus #206 or #208 to "Hakubutsukan Sanjusangendo-mae" bus stop.
  • Via Keihan Railway
    Get off at Shichijo Station. Walk east along Shichijo Street for about seven minutes.
  • Via Hankyu Railway
    Get off at Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station. Walk east over the bridge to the Keihan Railway Gion-Shijo Station. Take an Osaka-bound Keihan train to Shichijo Station. Walk east along Shichijo Street for about seven minutes.
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