KYOTO NATIONAL MUSEUM 527 Chayamachi Higashiyama-ku Kyoto 605 tel: +81 (75) 541-1151 internet: www.kyohaku.go.jp/
		• The Treasures of Myoho-in Temple and Sanjusangendo April 6 - May 9, 1999
			This special exhibition features a selection of Sanjusangendo's outstanding Buddhist sculptures, numerous treasures from Myoho-in Temple (the current official administrator of Sanjusangendo), and other related works of art that highlight the history and culture of these temples. Among the exhibits are a number of treasures of which the significance was unknown until the Kyoto National Museum conducted a research survey of the temple in 1995. These treasures are now displayed in public for the first time. The original structure of Myoho-in Temple was built by the priest Shoun during the late Heian Period. The Cloistered Emperor Goshirakawa entrusted Shoun to construct the temple next to Hojuji Palace, a temple/palace from which the emperor ruled the nation. Sanjusangendo was constructed as an annex to the Hojuji Palace. Sanjusangendo became especially known for its treasury, which housed many of the cloistered emperor's favorite narrative handscrolls. In the late 16th century, when ruler Toyotomi Hideyoshi built the temple Hoko-ji to house a Great Buddha sculpture (on the present site of Kyoto National Museum), neighboring Myoho-in Temple was appointed to serve as the archives for the scriptures of the Great Buddha. Myoho-in grew prosperous from this relationship, and the lavish temple structures built at the time still stand today. In the Edo Period, Sanjusangendo came under the jurisdiction of Myoho-in Temple. Myoho-in is what is known as a monzeki temple, the head priest of which was usually an imperial prince. With such close historical imperial connections, Myoho-in Temple contributed to the preservation of court culture throughout history. This exhibition is divided into four themes, based on the history of Myoho-in and Sanjusangendo. 1)The Origin and Development of Myoho-in as a Monzeki Temple: This sections features Buddhist sculpture, painting, sutra manuscripts, sacred teachings, and documents that reveal Myoho-in's history as a monzeki temple. 2) Sanjusangendo and Hojuji Palace: The Central Gallery will recreate the atmosphere of Sanjusangendo Hall with sculptures of the Thousand-Armed Kannons, Wind God and Thunder God, and the Twenty-eight Guardian Deities. In addition, this section will investigate the sophisticated culture of the time of the Cloistered Emperor Goshirakawa, exhibiting illustrated narrative handscrolls thought to originally have been housed in the Myoho-in Treasury. 3)The Great Buddha and Myoho-in Temple: This section displays wall paintings from Myoho-in, as well as numerous treasures of Toyotomi Hideyoshi that came under the jurisdiction of Myoho-in after the destruction of Hokoku Shrine. Included are a number of costumes that were given to Hideyoshi by the Emperor of Ming Dynasty China. These galleries reveal the culture surrounding Hideyoshi before and after the construction of the Great Buddha. 4)The Elegant Culture of a Monzeki Temple: This section features works born of the salon culture revolving around the cloistered members of the Imperial Family in Myoho-in. In addition to portraits of the Cloistered Emperor Gomizunoo and other heads of the temple are wall paintings and screen paintings by such artists as Maruyama Okyo, Goshun, and Gessen.
		•Gallery Lecture: Saturday, May 1 "The Buddhist Sculpture of Myoho-in and Sanjusangendo," Takeshi ASANUMA (Associate Curator of Sculpture)
		• New Acquisitions, 1999 June 30 - August 1, 1999
			Four objects are on display: a 17th-century, eight-fold screen, "Poppies," bearing the seal of Inen; an example of calligraphy by the Rinzai monk Sakugen Shuryo, dated 1578; a ceremonial bell (dotaku) of the mid-Yayoi period; and a 14th-century set of six ritual bowls with a To-ji inscription.
		• Sakamoto Ryoma October 19 - November 23, 1999
			Sakamoto Ryoma was a hero who lived at the end of the Edo Period and is one of the most famous figures in Japanese history. His tumultuous life has been the subject of numerous novels, plays, and movies, making him well known across Japanese society. Ryoma worked to form a new government free from the feudal class system. He was also interested in the establishment of a Japanese constitution, a two-house national legislature, and a new, internationally open political system. In 1867, however, at the age of thirty-two, he was assassinated in Kyoto at the Omiya establishment. The reason we know so much about the activities and feelings of someone who lived over two hundred years ago is that Ryoma left behind a large number of hand-written letters chronicling events and episodes in his life, along with his thoughts and personal reactions to them. Before World War II, the Kyoto National Museum came into possession of a collection of objects related to Sakamoto Ryoma, including eight letters in his own hand. This spring, this collection of historical artifacts was designated an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese national government. In honor of this designation, the museum has organized a Special Display of these popular objects.
		• Kyoto Style: Trends in 16th - 19th Century Kimono October 19 - November 23, 1999
			This exhibition traces the fashion trends of Kyoto kimono from the Momoyama and Edo Periods. Through extant kosode, genre paintings, and other works of art, it examines the kimono styles, tastes, and aesthetics of three centuries of Kyotoites. See also: CONFERENCES & SYMPOSIA
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