Feature Exhibition
The Beauty of Prayer
Buddhist Art from the Goryeo and Joseon Dynasties –
Buddhism first arrived on the Korean Peninsula in the fourth century, about 200 years before it came to Japan. From that time, it greatly influenced the cultures and beliefs of those living there, fostering the development of unique aesthetics, especially during the Goryeo (918–1392) and Joseon (1392–1910) dynasties. With their respect for scholarship, the kings of the Goryeo court were devout followers of Buddhism. However, this religion lost political sway during the Joseon dynasty, which was built on the teachings of Confucianism. In spite of such differing policies on religion, Buddhist art flourished among its believers in salvation, with many sculptures and paintings created throughout both periods.
By focusing on one part of the millennium-long history of Goryeo and Joseon Korea, we are proud to showcase a selection of Buddhist works of art spanning the eleventh to sixteenth centuries. They depict majestic Buddhist figures, full of life, imbued with the fervent prayers of believers that can be felt even to this day. Such works offer us insight into the development of Buddhist art throughout East Asia. While admiring the beauty in these Korean works, distinct from Japanese and Chinese Buddhist art, we hope that you will also grasp the historical contexts behind them and the lives of those who were involved in their creation.
Exhibition Period |
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5 September (Tues) – 15 October (Sun) 2023 |
Venue |
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Rooms 9 and 11, Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall (4th floor) |
Tickets Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall (Permanent Exhibition) |
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| Adults | 700 yen |
| University students | 350 yen |
| High school students, visitors under 18, and seniors above 70 | Free |
*For more information on ticket prices, please refer to this page.
Exhibition Highlights
A Goryeo Buddhist masterpiece, over 4 meters tall
A Goryeo Buddhist masterpiece, over 4 meters tall
Important Cultural Property
Willow Avalokiteshvara
Kagami Shrine, Saga
A hooded Bodhisattva saving believers from Hell
A hooded Bodhisattva saving believers from Hell
Important Cultural Property
Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva
Engaku-ji Temple, Kanagawa
The majestic beauty of a Goryeo Buddha
The majestic beauty of a Goryeo Buddha
Fukuoka City–Designated Cultural Property
Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva
Anshō-in Temple, Fukuoka
Countless Buddhas in the air
Countless Buddhas in the air
Fifteen Thousand Buddhas
Fudō-in Temple, Hiroshima
One miracle after another! The Birth of Shakyamuni Buddha
One miracle after another! The Birth of Shakyamuni Buddha
The Birth of Shakyamuni
Hongaku-ji Temple, Fukuoka
The Golden Lotus Sutra dedicated to Dazaifu Tenmangū Shrine
The Golden Lotus Sutra dedicated to Dazaifu Tenmangū Shrine
Saga Prefecture–Designated Cultural
Property
Lotus Sutra, vol. 1
Nabeshima Houkoukai Foundation, Saga
Avalokiteshvara’s must-have item
Avalokiteshvara’s must-have item
Celadon Jōhei ewer incised with willows, reeds, and waterfowl
The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka
*Some works on display will be replaced with new ones during the exhibition period.
Events
Please note that the events listed below will be held in Japanese only.
No pre-registration required; first come, first served
Feature Exhibition Lecture:
Buddhist Paintings from the Goryeo Court in the Reign of King
Chungnyeol
Kyuhaku in 3-D: Dig Deep!
Buddhist Art from the Goryeo and Joseon Dynasties of Korea
*For more information on our Kyuhaku in 3-D series, please refer to this page.
No pre-registration required, free admission
Museum Talk: The Great Avalokiteshvara
*However, visitors must have purchased admission tickets to the Cultural Exchange Exhibition