Tokyo National Museum
In the 3rd room of the Tokyo National Museum Toyokan in Ueno, the special exhibition “People, God, Nature-The Art of Sarii Collection” will be held from Wednesday, November 6, 2019 to Sunday, February 9, 2020. An ancient world told by a masterpiece ”will be held.
The Toyokan of the Tokyo National Museum, renewed in 2013, displays art and cultural assets from all over Asia based on the concept of travel.
Going around the hall makes you feel like you’re on a “trip” across space and time around Asia.
This exhibition introduces 117 items selected from the masterpieces of the Earl Sani Collection, allowing you to view works from the ancient societies of the Mediterranean region, Asia, Africa, and Latin America at once. It will be a valuable opportunity.
Please travel to Toyokan where time and space have expanded.
■ Exhibition structure and main exhibits
◇ Chapter 1 People
In Chapter 1, we will focus on crafts related to kings and influential people who ruled ancient societies in various places.
The king statue, the gorgeous accessory, and the items specially made for funerals, all of which are precious materials processed with high technology.
If you compare the displayed works, you can see that each culture has different tastes and designs.
On the other hand, in the ancient hierarchical society, the rulers had to actively show their authority, and that every ancient society had a relationship with the dead and the afterlife under a unique view of death and life. You can see the behavior that is common to the ancient cultures.
★ Idealized Pharaoh
《Head of the King》 Sekihekigyoku Egypt 1473-1129 B ⓒ”The AI Thani Collection”
Jagged eyebrows representing the sun in the underworld
《Masked》 翡翠, Shellfish Guatemala 3-6th Century ⓒ“The Al Thani Collection”
★ Standing noble woman
《Character Image “Princess of Bactria” Electrum, stone, shellfish Central Asia c. 2300-1800 B. ⓒ“The Al Thani Collection”
◇ Chapter 2 God
People have performed rituals and prayed to please the gods.
Chapter 2 introduces works related to sacred rituals and gods and spirits created by ancient cultures in various regions.
It was not easy for ancient people to run a stable society.
A bit of bad weather leads to serious famines, and wars against conflicting cities and other ethnic groups occur frequently. It must have been extremely important.
This is the background behind the exhibition work of Chapter 2.
There were a variety of religions and beliefs in the ancient world, but every member of society was devoted to their survival and social stability, asking about their relationship with the gods.
★ Hello from the megalithic
《Relief》 Alabasta, Gold, Precious Stone, Bronze, etc. Southern Arabian Peninsula c. 100 ⓒ“The AI Thani Collection”
★ A goddess staring at the stars?
《Women’s statue “ Stargazer ”》 Marble, etc. Western Anatolia Peninsula Around 3300 to 2500 BC ⓒ“The Al Thani Collection”
★ Musicians looking into religious rituals
《Tambarine player image》 Alabasta, Carnelian, Cryolith Mesopotamia circa 2500 ⓒ”The Al Thani Collection”
◇ Chapter 3 Nature
How have people recognized the natural world?
In Chapter 3, we will focus on this theme and display crafts that mainly resemble animals.
The people of all ancient societies used nature and the power of gods by using animal-like vessels and accessories.
For example, wild animals with large horns such as goats are said to symbolize the strength of nature.
The sacred animal statue associated with the gods was believed to have sacred power.
When comparing the displayed works, various appearances and expressions of animals are cut out for each work.
The diverse works tell us that there were different natural environments in each place and that people’s interests differed depending on the culture.
★ I embody the strength of nature
《Ibex》 Bronze Southern Arabian Peninsula The second half of the first millennium B ⓒ”The Al Thani Collection”
★ Threatening on the battlefield!
《Nose ornament》 Gold, lapis lazuli / soda stone, etc. Peru 2-4 centuries
ⓒ“The Al Thani Collection”
★ A little bit of a loose bear
《Bears》 Gold and Copper China 206 ~ 25 years later ⓒ“The Al Thani Collection”
[Summary]
■ Exhibition Name: Special Exhibition “People, God, Nature -An Ancient World Talked about the Masterpieces of The Earl Sani Collection”
Dates: November 6, 2019 (Wednesday) to February 9, 2020 (Sunday)
■ Venue: Tokyo National Museum, Toyokan, Room 3 (Tokyo / Ueno Park)
■ Opening hours: 9: 30 ~ 17: 00 Fridays and Saturdays until 21:00 * Last entry 30 minutes before closing ■ Closed days: Monday, December 26 (Thursday) to January 1, 2020 (Wednesday)・ Holiday), January 14 (Tue)
* However, it will be open on January 13 (Monday / Holiday) ■ Admission: General 620 yen (520 yen), University student 410 yen (310 yen)
* Free for high school students and younger, under 18 years old and over 70 years old.
Please show your age when you enter.
* () Is a group charge for 20 people or more.
* You can see the general cultural exhibition fee and the special exhibition ticket (limited to the day of viewing).
* A separate viewing fee is required for the special exhibition “World of Shosoin” (10 / 14-11 / 24) and the special exhibition “Izumo and Yamato” (2020/1 / 15-3 / 8).
■ Organizer: Tokyo National Museum, The Earl Sani Collection Foundation, NHK
Inquiries: 03-5777-8600 (Hello Dial)
■ Website: https://www.tnm.jp/
Article provided by Kokosil Ueno
See other exhibition information