Asian Pottery – Beautiful Colors and Shapes

Asia is the center of ceramic culture. China, the world’s first inventor of porcelain, exported it as a trade item, bringing exquisite works to the Korean Peninsula, Japan, Southeast Asian countries, as well as distant Islamic and European countries. In particular, various types of pottery made during the Song and Qing dynasties of China have been incorporated into tea ceremonies in Japan and are cherished as treasures. Influenced by China, porcelain was made in Japan from the beginning of the 17th century, while in Europe, research on how to make porcelain was actively being carried out, which had a profound impact on the rest of the world.

This exhibition displays ceramics made in Asia, mainly from China, Korea, and Japan, highlighting the beautiful colors and diverse and unique shapes of pottery, and introduces their appeal in an easy to understand manner.

The Beauty of Japanese Swords – Brilliance and Refinement –

Japanese swords were first created around the middle of the Heian period, and have been carefully passed down for about 1,000 years up to the present day. This is simply because the beauty of these swords has attracted people since ancient times. The spirit and aesthetic sense of the samurai, such as the “Basara” of the Nanbokucho period and the “Kabukimono” of the late Muromachi period to the early Edo period, had a profound influence on culture and art. Japanese swords are no exception, and possess a sophisticated beauty born from the pursuit of practicality, such as their curves and blade patterns. In addition, sword accessories, which were essential for the use of swords, were part of samurai fashion, and many pieces were created that demonstrated high craftsmanship, such as intricate metal fittings, mother-of-pearl, or gold and silver lacquer.

At this time, we are pleased to exhibit exquisite Japanese swords and sword accessories from our collection. Please enjoy the world of brilliant and refined beauty.