Tokyo National Museum
This year of the Olympic year, Reiwa 2 (2020), is also a memorable year of 1300 since the Nippon Shoki was compiled.
To commemorate this, the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno, Heiseikan, will hold a special exhibition “Izumo and Yamato” from Wednesday, January 15 to the establishment of the Nihon Shoki 1300 .
(* First-half exhibition: January 15 (Wed)-February 9 (Sun) Second-half exhibition: February 11 (Tuesday / holiday)-March 8 (Sun))
Prior to the exhibition, there was a press preview the other day.
What is the special exhibition “Izumo and Yamato”?
Japan’s oldest Masafumi and Nihonshoki, written from Kamiyo to Emperor Joshi 11 (697),
The chief of the Tonin (Toneri Shinnou, 676-735) is the main composer,
It is a history book consisting of 30 volumes played by Emperor Gensho Tenno in Yoro 4 years (720).
In the national myth at the beginning of the Nihon Shoki, Okuninushi, enshrined at Izumo Taisha Shrine,
The existence of the world “spirit” beyond human ability, the emperor in the land of Yamato is the existence of the visible real world “ken”.
This special exhibition “Izumo and Yamato” is jointly held by Shimane and Nara prefectures, which symbolize the “Yu” and “Ken” in ancient times, and the Tokyo National Museum.
In the special exhibition, Izumo and Yamato’s masterpieces gather together to explore the formation of ancient Japan and its characteristics.
※ Enshrined (= the spirit is settled in a certain place)
Highlight
There are four highlights of the special exhibition “Izumo and Yamato”.
① Izumo Taisha Sacred treasure can be seen in Tokyo
From ancient times, you can see works telling the history of Izumo Taisha, such as the treasures such as hand boxes and armor transmitted to Izumo Taisha, giant pillars excavated from the precincts, paintings decorating the shrine.
In particular, the two pillars, the Shinto Hashida (Shino only pillar) and the Uzu Pillar (Uzuba Shira), allegedly supporting the 48-meter-long main shrine of Izumo Taisha, have been unveiled for the first time in history!
It is a valuable document that supports the existence of the main shrine of Izumo Taisha.
② Large quantity of bronze ware excavated in Tokyo for the first time in about 20 years
189 exhibits from bronze ware (copper sword, bronze dot, bronze spear) excavated from the national treasure, Kojindani archeological site, and 30 pieces from bronze spear excavated from the national treasure, Kamoi Iwakura archeological site.
This is the first time such a large amount of unearthed bronze ware has gathered in Tokyo for about 20 years.
③ Exhibition of the most excavated triangular green beast mirror
33 triangular green sacred beast mirrors that protected and calmed down the burial mounds of the Kurozuka tumulus.
As for the number excavated from one tumulus, all the points of the largest triangular green beast mirror in Japan are exhibited.
④ First public! A hidden Buddha statue
The oldest stone Buddha that has been quietly guarded in the land of Yamato for 1300 years will be unveiled outside the temple.
Pay attention to the details, such as the slight remaining coloring and the sharp digging hole.
■ Introducing the hottest exhibits!
Featured exhibits are introduced in chapters.
Chapter 1 Giant Main Hall Izumo Taisha Highlight Exhibition
“Shin-nomihashira” and “Uzu-hashira”
A pillar excavated at a depth of 1.3 meters under the grounds of Izumo Taisha Shrine in 2000.
If you look closely, there are traces of gouging on the pillars.
This is the trace of a rope and the surface of a hatchet whose surface was adjusted when logging and transporting it from the site to the exhibition room.
Even in the local area, it is not easy to display side by side,
It is a valuable opportunity.
I looked at both pillars from all angles.
I can’t actually touch my hands, but I felt that the feeling was different depending on where I touched, such as being rough or glossy.
Shimane / Izumo Taisha Shrine (stored in Shimane Prefectural Ancient Izumo History Museum)
Two pillars have been installed to reproduce the actual situation inside the premise of Izumo Taisha.
Stand between the pillars, spread your hands widely and look up to see the real feeling.
Chapter 2 Izumo
National treasure “Bronze Sword” Aragami Valley, Izumo-shi, Shimane
It is a bronze sword excavated during excavation in 1984.
All the bronze swords on display appear to be of the same size and standardized, but if you look closely, you will see a ✖ engraved on the stem.
This is considered to be a trace of the process from production to burial at once, a feature not found in other bronze swords distributed around San-in.
It makes me feel that the delicate Japanese manufacturing technology has been around since ancient times.
National treasure “Bronze hoko” Aragami Valley, Izumo-shi, Shimane
This is the 16 bronze hoko from the Aragami Valley, which boast the highest number of unearthed rocks in Japan.
If you compare them one by one, you will find something.
A rattled edge, a relatively clean edge,
Rusted and faded, black-brown and shiny,
And the unique bronze hoko are lined up.
National treasure “Bontan dot” Ruins of Aragami Valley, Izumo-shi, Shimane
It is a bronze dot excavated from Aragami Valley.
There are various types, but they are almost the same size.
There are many places where the end of the bronze is scratched, and there are traces of considerable use.
What kind of thoughts did people at that time stare at at this bronze dot?
Chapter 3 Yamato
National treasure “Seven swords”
It is a treasure sword transmitted to Ishigami Jingu Shrine, and a treasure similar to the Shinto shrine.
Formerly, it was subdued in the main shrine.
A very rare type that has branches growing sideways is characteristic,
In the center is an inscription of 61 characters.
On the surface, a statement that if you have this sword, you will reject hundreds of changes,
On the reverse side, there is a statement that the royal family of Baekje on the Korean Peninsula was dedicated to the King of Wa.
It is a rare and rare opportunity to see this seven-armed sword, which is also described in the Nihon Shoki, as a seven-sheathed sword!
・ Important Cultural Property “Gamon Belt Mirror”
The “gamon Belt Mirror” displayed in the center is a copper mirror excavated from the Hokenoyama Burial Mound in Nara Prefecture.
On the outside, a car with a sun wheel, a beast pulling the car, and a sensation are shown in relief.
It is very small but has a strong presence.
・ Important Cultural Property “Triangle Beast Mirror”
The “Triangle Beast Mirror” displayed on the left and right is a copper mirror excavated from the Kamihara Shrine Tumulus in Kamo-cho, Yunnan City, Shimane Prefecture.
On the outside, patterns of Shinsen and spirit beasts are engraved.
The appearance of the 33 faces is spectacular.
(Right and left photo) Important Cultural Property “Triangle Beast Mirror” (Tenku City, Nara Prefecture) Kuroshika Tumulus Kofun period 3rd century Bureau of Cultural Affairs (Kashihara Archaeological Research Institute, Nara Prefectural Government)
Chapter 4 Buddha and Government (the festival)
・ Two eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva statues
Two 11-faced Kannon Bodhisattva statues in the center of the photo.
At that time, we prayed for the great power of Kannon and wished for the prosperity of the country and the safe lives of the people.
It is strange to stand in front of the statue of the Kannon Bodhisattva, because you will feel as if you are being protected by something invisible.
･ (Of Shitenno statue) National treasure “Hirome Tendai statue” *Left
･ (Of Shitenno statue) “Tamon statue” * Right
Shitenno is a symbol of national politics.
Both the two Buddha statues are impressive with thick eyebrows and large nose.
At first, I was overwhelmed by the intimidation of the Buddha statue, but after staring at it for a while, I realized that there was a person who did not want to leave the place forever.
Conclusion
I have reported on the press preview of “1300 Nihonshoki Special Exhibition Izumo and Yamato”.
Works that tell the history of Izumo Taisha, a large number of excavated bronze pieces exhibited for the first time in 20 years､
33 triangular triangle Beast Mirror､Buddha statues.
All of these exhibits were full of stimulus and it was not enough just once and it was a fulfilling content that I wanted to see again and again.
The preview was really flooded with so many people that it was so hot that you had to wait to see the exhibits.
“Nihon Shoki 1300 Special Exhibition Izumo and Yamato” currently being held at the Heiseikan at the Tokyo National Museum. Why don’t you come and celebrate the 1300 year of Nihon Shoki through experiencing the process of ancient Japan? Is not it?
Event summary
| Exhibition name | Nihon Shoki 1300 Special Exhibition “Izumo and Yamato” |
| Session | January 15 (Wed)-March 8 (Sun) 2020 Early Exhibition January 15 (Wed)-February 9 (Sun) Late Exhibition February 11 (Tuesday / holiday)-March 8 (Sun) |
| Venue | Tokyo National Museum Heiseikan (Ueno Park) |
| Opening hours | 9: 30-17: 00 (Admission until 30 minutes before closing, open until 21:00 on Fridays and Saturdays during the exhibition) |
| closing day | Monday, February 25 (Tue) (Open on February 24 (Monday, closed)) |
| Viewing fee | General 1,600 yen (1,400 yen / 1,300 yen) University student 1,200 yen (1,000 yen / 900 yen) High school student 900 yen (700 yen / 600 yen) Free for junior high school students and below ＊ (): Advance sale / Group rate for 20 people or more * Free for disabled people and their caregiver. Please show a handbook for people with disabilities when entering the library * Tokyo National Museum Campus Members members can purchase same-day tickets for 1,000 yen (200 yen discount). At the main ticket office, tell us that you are a Campus Members student and present your student ID card. * You can purchase a regular ticket of 1,600 yen for 1,500 yen (100 yen discount) at the “Tokyo Museum Gourtt Pass” . Please apply at the main ticket office (window). * With this exhibition admission ticket, you can also see the general culture exhibition (normal exhibition) only once on the day of the exhibition day during the exhibition. |
| Contact us | Hello dial 03-5777-8600
Reception hours: All day from 8 am to 10 pm |
| Official HP | https://izumo-yamato2020.jp/ |