Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tokyo National Museum
Occupying a major part of the northern reaches of Ueno Park, the colossal
Tokyo National Museum was known in the prewar period as the Imperial
Household Museum. This magisterial museum, set among courtyards,
fountains, and trees, is divided into four main galleries: Honkan, Heiseikan,
Toyokan, and Horyu-ji. These contain not only the single-most important
collection of Japanese art and archeology in the world, but a treasury of
Asian antiquities as well. The main galleries display almost 3,000 items at
any one time - an awesome amount to see in one visit. A garden on the side
of the Honkan gallery opens for the cherry blossom and fall foliage seasons.
Top 10 Features
1 Arms and Armor
2 Japanese Archeology
3 Ceramics
4 Asian Arts
5 Lacquerware
6 Calligraphy
7 Horyu-ji Treasures
8 Japanese Paintings and Prints
9 Textiles
0 Religious Sculpture
Elegant exterior of the
Honkan Gallery
The excellent
museum shop in the
basement of the
Honkan sells items
linked to museum
exhibits and motifs.
The Hotel Okura's
garden terrace in the
Horyu-ji Gallery is a
pleasant, airy,
upscale setting for a
set lunch. There are
cheaper food and
drink options at the
stalls and cafés in
Ueno Park.
!
Arms and Armor
The equipment once
owned by the country's
military elite is displayed in
the Honkan. This includes
the warriors' attire
(above)
:
armor, helmets, saddlery,
and sword mountings.
• Map F1
• 13-9 Ueno koen,
Taito-ku
• 3822-1111
• Open 9:30am-5pm,
Tue-Sun
• Adm
• www.tnm.jp
@
Japanese
Archeology
The Heiseikan,
dedicated to
Japanese archeo-
logy, houses rel-
ics
(left)
from the
ancient Jomon
period (c.10,000-
300 BC) onward.
The chronology of
Japanese arts can
be found here.
#
Ceramics
Japanese ceramics
(above)
in the Honkan are
represented by work from
Kyoto and Imari ware.
The Toyokan has Chinese
ceramics from the Song
to Qing dynasties, and
some beautifully glazed
Ming dynasty work.
18
The Honkan's ceramics collection also features objects made
for the tea ceremony, including some fine Korean tea bowls.
