Overview

Famed for its spring verdure and rich autumn colors, Tōfuku-ji is one of Kyoto’s representative Zen temples. It was established during the early Kamakura period on the orders of the imperial regent and advisor Kujō Michiie. He entrusted the founding to Enni (Shōichi Kokushi), a priest who had previously travelled to China to study Zen (Ch.Chan) Buddhism. The name "Tōfuku-ji" was taken from the first character of Tō-ji and the second character of Kōfuku-ji, two temples in Nara.


Also known as the "Tōfuku no Garanzura", the temple complex creates a striking impression with its vast array of huge medieval-style buildings. This exhibition marks the first chance to view the temple’s many treasures in one place. The legendary Buddhist painter Minchō’s Five Hundred Arhats will be displayed in its entirety for the first time since the completion of restoration work, for example. It will be joined by a number of precious cultural properties that somehow survived destruction during Ōnin War of 1467-77. The exhibition also showcases several masterpieces of painting and calligraphy as well as Buddhist sculptures whose monumental size chimes well with the temple’s vastness. While tracing the temple’s history since its founding, the exhibition presents a board overview of the Zen culture that bloomed through exchanges with the rest of Asia. It also explores Tōfuku-ji’s enduring appeal and its significance to Japanese culture.

List of works(Tokyo National Museum)/Download/PDF/872KB

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 (Sat.) – December 3, 2023 (Sun.)

Venue

Kyoto National Museum, Heisei Chishinkan Wing

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

Organizers

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

With the Support of

Live Art Books

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 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 Osaka-bound Keihan train to Shichijo Station. Walk east along Shichijo Street abouts seven minuites.
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