MUSEUM FÜR OSTASIATISCHE KUNST, KÖLN Universitätsstraße 100 50674 Köln tel: +49 (221) 94 05 18-25; fax: +49 221 40-72-90
		• The Maruyama-Shijo School and its Followers: Painting from the Museum's Collection Though May 30, 1999
		• Traces of the Brush: Masterpieces of Chinese and Japanese Calligraphy from the Gotze Collection May 1 - August 1, 1999
		• The Light of the Great Buddha: Treasures of the Todaiji Temple, Nara September 11 - November 10, 1999
			This exciting exhibition will present a number of the most important Japanese works of art: paintings, sculpture, and ritual objects from the Todaiji Temple in the old Japanese capital of Nara. Todaiji is the biggest of a group of Buddhist temples built by the Japanese Emperor Shomu in the 8th century to protect the nation and the dynasty. By establishing Buddhism as the state religion, Shomu succeeded in both strengthening the power of the imperial dynasty over rivaling aristocratic families and in forming a united empire. The central symbol of this unified state was Todaiji Temple, where every year ceremonies and rites for the protection of the nation were held. Thus the temple itself became a national symbol. The Hall of the Great Buddha, the world's largest wooden construction, is still at the center of this temple complex which has expanded over the centuries. It houses the 50-foot bronze statue of the Great Buddha, Vairocana. Emperor Shomu saw himself as the incarnation of this Buddha. In the course of history the monumental statue was several times destroyed by fire. The present statue of the Great Buddha is, for the most part, a work of the 17th century. The Temple is the center of Kegon Buddhism which still plays an important part in the religious life of Japan. Most of the items on display in Köln are ritual objects, which have been used in rituals and ceremonies since the 8th century. That is why they are normally not on show to the general public in Japan. Among the exhibits there are twelve works which are registered as National Treasures and 46 objects which are listed as Important Cultural Properties. In addition to this exhibit, there will be a display of 40 works by Inoue Hakudo, one of the most popular contemporary Japanese photographers of architecture. The brilliant photographs show the temple complex as well as the annual ceremonies that are held there. The exhibit is just one in a series of events taking place in Germany till 2000 within the framework of the German - Japanese Cultural Agreement under the heading "Japan in Germany: New Contacts between Japan and Germany in the 21st Century." The lavishly illustrated catalogue provides an in-depth presentation of all the objects shown in the exhibition and a number of essays by well-known specialists in the field of East Asian and Japanese Studies. Each essay will be complemented by an English abstract. The catalogue is available from the museum for DM 49 (plus postage).
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