[Image: "Brilliant Glazes" 52.5x7cm]

A majority of ceramic works typically have a signature or hidden symbol scratched or painted. The exhibition explores the various symbols and signatures and attempt to reveal their meanings. *Exhibiting at Exhibition Room 3 Gallery Talk: April 13th (Sun), 20th (Sun), May 11th (Sun) 11:15- [Image: "Red clay vase" (mid-Edo period)]

Uichi Shimizu, a ceramicist born and raised in Kyoto, opened a kiln in Shiga's Hira mountain range in 1970. Since then, until his death in 2004, Shimizu established a 34-year career making ceramics leaving a countless number of ceramic works. In 1985, the Japanese government accredited him with his ceramic technique Tetsugusuri, and honored him as "human treasure." Shimizu's ceramics come in different shades of blue, yellow, and green, and in different shapes and sizes, which will be evident through the works on display. Gallery Talk: April 13th (Sun), April 29th (Tue/Holiday) 14:00- [Image: Uichi Shimizu "Pale Blue Tetsugusuri Bowl" (1984) courtesy of The Museum of Modern Art, Shiga]

[Image: Kazuo Takiguchi "Go"]

The Kozan Temple located in Tanabe city is a temple that particularly supports the Shingon sect. The temple has been an avid collector of Buddhist art, and the exhibition features the most notable pieces from the collection. Art Talk: April 27th (Sun), May 2nd (Fri), 9th (Fri), 11th (Sun), 16th (Fri), 23rd (Fri), 25th (Sun), 30th (Fri) *For more information please visit the URL below. [Image: "Kobo Daishizo" (late Kamakura period) wood, height 79.3cm]

Jomon ceramics, among the world's ancient ceramics, is known for its distinctive sculptural style. The exhibition features ceramic items that have been found in archaeological sites in both eastern and western Japan. Items include ceramic dolls, clay accessories, and mythical and or made-for-ritual ornaments. Lecture: May 18th (Sun)14:00- Dialogue: April 26th (Sat)14:00- Workshop: April 12th (Sat), April 19th (Sat) 13:00-17:00 Art Talk: March 15th (Sat), March 22nd (Sat), March 29th (Sat), April 5th (Sat), April 12th (Sat), April 19th (Sat), May 10th (Sat), May 17th (Sat), May 24th (Sat), May 31st (Sat) 14:00-14:40 *For more information please visit the URL below. [Image: "Flame Earthenware" courtesy of Tokamachi Museum]

Studio Frog, of Tottori Prefecture, make figurines, diorama, accessories and straps with the motif of frogs, as well as other reptiles, amphibians and so forth. This exhibition will feature an installation focusing on the cute, little creatures that inhabit woodlands and the sea.

*For more information please visit the URL below.

This exhibition features descended Goryeo teacups in Japan as well as Goryeo teacups created by contemporary ceramicists in Japan and Korea. *Exhibiting at 1F Exhibition room [Image: "Celadon Porcelain Tea Cup"]

*Exhibiting at the Main Building Art Talk: May 4th (Sun) 14:00- Slide Presentation: Every 2nd and 4th Sunday 14:00- [Image: "Amida Portrait" (detailed view) (Korai period: 918-1392) 133.3x58.9cm]

The exhibition features artwork from ancient Greece. These works portray the philosophical exploration of Greek minds and their investigation of nature's works. *Exhibiting at exhibition rooms 1 & 2 Art Talk: April 25th (Fri), May 26th (Mon) 13:30- [Image: "Red vase of Patera" 35.2x35.2cm]

As in jars, bowls, dishes and tea cups, crafts were first and foremost to function as receptacles. According to the forms of receptacles, how have the meanings of craft come to be defined? From various points of view such as the interior and exterior spaces of vessels, the mouths of receptacles, and their modeling for the purpose of touch, the opportunity afforded by "Containers, Dishes, and Vessels as Art" will allow us to search out new fascinations in recent arts and crafts. Works by Tomimoto Kenkichi, Yagi Kazuo and Yanagihara Mutsuo among others, will be exhibited. Gallery Talk: April 19th (Sat), May 24th (Sat) 14:00-15:00 Workshop: June 1st (Sun) 13:30-16:30 [Image: Tozan Miyanaga "Vase with turnips in relief" (1905)]

The exhibition features works by the Raku family from its first generation artisans to the fifteenth. [Image: First Generation Chojiro "Black Raku Rice Bowl: Makiwara"]

This exhibition features about 80 items.

This year marks one thousand years since Murasaki Shikibu (d. 1014?) wrote her celebrated work, "The Tale of Genji". Recognized by the then Minister of the Left Fujiwara no Michinaga (966-1027) for her literary talent, Lady Murasaki gained entrance to Court by serving Michinaga's daughter Shoshi (988-1074), who later became the influential consort of Emperor Ichijo (r. 986-1011). Murasaki's insider observations of Ichijo's Court are said to have been the basis for "The Tale of Genji". This feature exhibition presents archaeological artifacts from the Heian period (794-1185) to introduce the age in which Lady Murasaki lived. Highlights of this exhibit include a gilt bronze sutra container and a forged bronze sutra case, both dating to around Murasaki's time. The sutra container is renowned as a dedicatory offering to the Buddhist deity Zao Gongen from Michinaga, who had it buried on Mount Kinpu in Nara Prefecture during his pilgrimage to this sacred site in 1007. Inscribed on this container are the wishes of this powerful minister who later became Regent and who has been suggested to be the model for Murasaki's main character, Genji. The sutra case was dedicated in 1031 to the Nyoho-do Hall in Yokawa Valley on Mount Hiei by the Cloistered Empress Jotomon'in, who Murasaki had earlier served when she was known as Shoshi. This bronze case (now owned by Enryaku-ji Temple), decorated with auspicious Buddhist floral motif, was excavated in the Taisho period (1912-1926) and later designated as a National Treasure. Also on exhibit is a Chinese Yuezhou celadon ewer, which was excavated in Kohata in southern Kyoto - an area is said to be the gravesite of the Fujiwara clan. Such archaeological finds suggest that mid-Heian period courtiers possessed luxury imports from the continent. Lady Murasaki may also have seen such refined works of celadon. Decorative tiles excavated from the former site of Hossho-ji, the historic temple built by Michinaga, and objects buried in sutra mounds in the Kyoto area also offer glimpses of the world in which Murasaki lived. *Exhibiting at the Collections Hall Gallery 2 [Image: Green-glazed Sutra Container courtesy of Kyoto National Museum]

This exhibition features ceramic items that reflect the Ohmi merchant's principles on humbleness and honesty. *Exhibiting at Museum of Contemporary Ceramic Art Art Talk: April 27th (Sun), May 18th (Sun), June 8th (Sun) 13:30-14:30 [Image: Soube Tsuji "Cup and Saucer with Landscape Decoration" (1891-1945) courtesy of Hino Elementary School]

The exhibition features ceramics by Ryoji Koie that range from a tea cups to contemporary ceramics. *Exhibiting at 2F/room 4

The exhibition features bronze ware and ceramics from ancient Iran. Approximately 20 works will be on display. [Image: "Man with a Vase" (around 1000 B.C.)]

During the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), people from the royal family to the working peasants observed Confucianism as a way of life. As a result, rituals were centered upon offering food to the gods served on ceramic bowls and plates. These ceramic pieces were specifically made for ritualistic purposes. Focusing on the unique form of Joseon ceramics, approximately 20 pieces will be on display. [Image: "Seika Renchimon Kakuzara"]

This exhibition explores how culture from the Chinese continent was adapted through local offices and the proliferation of Buddhism. In addition, Hyogo bay played an important role in water transportation with China and Korea. *Exhibiting at 2F Exhibition Room 5

Keiji Ito's sculptures were inspired by six Buddhist doctrines; charity, strictness, forbearance, devotion, meditation and wisdom are required for people to pass a bridge from this world to the next. The name of Paramita museums origins from this notion.

Kouichi Uchida wandered around the world, lived in towns that specialized in clay and ceramics, and trained himself to develop his own ceramic expressions. His works contain a primitiveness and delicacy, and their sizes range from large jars to smaller teapots. Uchida also has a strong reputation as a young up-and-coming ceramic artist. [Image: "coexistence.It ties" (2003) entrance mural]

Masuo Ikeda, a leading printmaker, was also known for his multiple talents in other art media. In his latter years, he expressed himself through ceramics. When creating prints, Ikeda intentionally rejected using traditional Japanese motifs. However, he uses them without any resistance in his ceramic works. Ikeda also discovered how the process of using clay, the creation and destruction through soil and fire, imitated the Buddhist theory of reincarnation. Thus, Ikeda was convinced that ceramics was an appropriate medium for depicting the Heart Sutra. In 1997, he suddenly passed away at age 63. Since his death, the Heart Sutra series have been praised as the pinnacle of Ikeda's art career. *Exhibiting at 1F/First, Second and Third room [Image: "Heart Sutra Series: Ksitigarbha" (1994) (c) 2004 paramita museum. All Rights Reserved]

This permanent exhibition features a selection of the Meiji period's most sophisticated works when makie lacquerware, cloisonne, metal work and kyo satsuma experienced the peak of artistic skills and values. Most of the works were created by the Emperors' artists, and have been found in other countries. Works on display are rearranged on a continuous basis to allow visitors to see different works throughout the year.

*Exhibiting at Kitaoji Rosanjin Exhibition Room

Among the vermillion-painted pillars surround life-size mannequins in period court dresses. On the big screen, videos will show the various aspects of ancient court life. Through the exhibition, visitors can experience a time travel into ancient Japan. *Exhibiting at 10F [Image: "National Cultural Treasure: Boat-shaped Haniwa"]

From ancient times known as a ceramics centre, Seto City in Aichi prefecture cooperated with Seto City Art Museum and the Seto Collection Museum's holdings for this exhibition. Through the collection, the exhibition introduces the charm of Seto ceramics and its one thousand-year history. Talk: "The History and Allure of Seto Ceramics" May 17th (Sat) 13:30-15:00 Fumitaka Hattori (Seto City Art Museum Curator)

"Children are like blessings from heaven and the photo albums of children contain very important memories for a family. The memories that jump out of albums, photo after photo - these revived memories have been made into images." (Statement by the artist)

Last year, the Kyoto National Museum received a generous gift of twelve Chinese paintings from the Japanese novelist Sawada Fujiko (b.1946). One of the most noteworthy works among this donation is "Landscape with Birds and Flowers" by the Ming-dynasty painter Chen Zhen, of Suzhou in Jiangsu Province, dated to 1640. Executed on silk, this large painting (H. 177.0 cm, W. 91.5 cm) captures a tall mountain, covered lightly with snow, soaring high above an enchanting valley. Cascading from the mountain precipice to the viewer's left is a waterfall flowing down to the ravine into a meandering stream. Two trees stand prominently at the foot of the mountain, surrounded by bamboo, broad-leafed shrubs, and blossoming plum and camellia trees. One interesting stylistic feature is the unusual contrast between the colorful birds the mountain magpies, eagles, and green pheasants painted in striking hues and realistic detail in the foreground, and the almost surreal cliff, depicted in ink and light colors, towering over the valley in the background. From the Ming dynasty onwards, paintings of landscapes and birds and flowers begin to develop into separate genres. This painting, which would ordinarily represent a winter scene in a set of four hanging scrolls depicting landscapes of the four seasons, is a rare example that successfully reintegrates these two themes. Incidentally, in a letter by the late Edo-period literati painter Okada Hanko (1782-1846), affixed to this painting, Hanko referred to the work as "Landscape Painting with Birds and Flowers." He also noted that it was the prized possession of the 115th Abbot of the Rinzai Zen temple Shokoku-ji in Kyoto, Imyo Shukei (1731-1808), who praised it as an unparalleled masterpiece. *Exhibiting at the Collections Hall Galleries 13, 14 & 17 [Image: Chen Zhen "Landscape with Birds and Flowers" courtesy of Kyoto National Museum]

Gallé's artwork, glass, ceramics and furniture reveal a strong influence from Japanese art. Showcasing Gallé's artwork, as well as 140 pieces of related documents gathered from the Suntory Museum's own collection, the Musée d’Orsay, and the Paris Museum of Decorative Art, the exhibition will trace the history of Japonisme. [Image: "Footed Cup Dragonfly" (1903-1904) courtesy of Suntory Museum of Art]

Koryo celadon porcelain has been fascinating people for more than 1000 years. Its character is expressed in its clarity, restraint and inlaid white and red clay patterns. This exhibition features skillfully decorated Koryo celadon porcelain, Bun-Chung porcelain and Buddhist arts. [Image: "Celadon Porcelain Patterned of Chrysanthemum, Cloud and Crane" courtesy of Koryo Museum]