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Daigoji Temple: A Shingon Esoteric Buddhist Universe in Kyoto

September 19 to November 11, 2018

*There will be an exhibition change during the course of exhibition
*This exhibition will travel to Kyushu National Museum (January 29 to March 24, 2019).
*Download the list of changes in works on display

Daigoji, located in the Yamashina area of Kyoto, is a celebrated Buddhist temple that has played an important role in Japanese history ever since its founding in 874 (Jōgan 16) by the monk Shōbō, who was later known by the honorific title Rigen Daishi. Within the Shingon tradition of Esoteric Buddhism, the temple is known as a sacred site that places great emphasis on conducting prayers for spiritual empowerment and esoteric rites in particular. The sculpture and paintings used as the chief objects of worship in those rituals along with the ritual implements have been preserved as treasures at the temple since the period of its founding in the ninth century. The Documents and Sacred Writings of Daigoji, numbering 69,378 items, has been designated a National Treasure. These items, which include records of the ritual programs, procedures and methods as well as the iconography of the objects of veneration in addition to documents demonstrating the faith of various powerful political figures, recount for us the glorious history of Daigoji.
Among these National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties are found many cherished works, including documents, calligraphy and Buddhist sculpture and paintings that were sent overseas in 2016 (Heisei 28) to be displayed in China for the first time. Those exhibitions, which traced the history and art of the temple from the Heian period through modern times, were extremely well received and were viewed by so many visitors in the cities of Shanghai and Xi’an.
To commemorate the exhibitions in China, exhibitions are now to be held at two venues in Japan, one in Tokyo and the other in Fukuoka, with the aim of introducing the treasures of Esoteric Buddhist art from Daigoji. The exhibitions chiefly feature Buddhist sculpture and paintings as well as valuable written works and calligraphy that have been designated National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties. These will allow visitor to trace the vicissitudes of Daigoji from the Heian through the early-modern period. In addition to the profound art that represents the Esoteric Buddhist worldview, the exhibition will also provide a precious opportunity for visitors to experience the magnificent art of Daigoji from early-modern times. On view are items associated with the famous cherry-blossoming viewing hosted by Toyotomi Hideyoshi at the temple during the Azuchi-Momoyama period, the mural-like fusuma slidingdoor paintings of the Sanbō-in cloister and the paintings of Tawaraya Sōtatsu.

Works from the exhibition

Period

September 19 to November 11, 2018

*There will be an exhibition change during the course of exhibition
*This exhibition will travel to Kyushu National Museum (January 29 to March 24, 2019).
*Download the list of changes in works on display

Hours

10:00-18:00 *Friday and Saturday 10:00-20:00

*Open until 20:00 on September 23 and October 7
*Last admission: 30 minutes before closing

Closed

Tuesdays

*Open until 18:00 on November 6
*shop×cafe will be open daily during a period of an exhibition.

Admission
Adult General
¥1,500
Advance
¥1,300
University and
High School Student
General
¥1,000
Advance
¥800

Elementary, Junior-High school students and under are free.
*With a certificate of disability, the admission fee of a disabled person and a care-giver will be waived.
*Advance tickets will be available at the Suntory Museum reception desk during opening hours from July 18 to September 2.

Discount

◇100 Yen Discount
•For presenting a coupon downloaded from our website
•For displaying a coupon on your smartphone
•For presenting a ticket to a thematic exhibition at the National Art Center, Tokyo, or Mori Art Museum
•For parties of 20 or more

*Only one discount per person

Audio Guide

¥550

Organized by

Suntory Museum of Art, DAIGOJI Temple, Nikkei Inc., TV TOKYO Corporation, BS Japan Corporation

Sponsored by

The Bank of Kyoto,Ltd., Suntory Holdings Limited, Sumitomo Forestry Co., Ltd., Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Insurance Inc., DAIKIN INDUSTRIES,LTD., Takenaka Corporation, Nissha Co., Ltd., Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.

*Unauthorized reproduction or use of texts or images from this site is prohibited.

2023 January

  • Exhibition
  • Closed
  • Tea Ceremony
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2023 February

  • Exhibition
  • Closed
  • Tea Ceremony
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2023 March

  • Exhibition
  • Closed
  • Tea Ceremony
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2023 April

  • Exhibition
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2023 May

  • Exhibition
  • Closed
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2023 June

  • Exhibition
  • Closed
  • Tea Ceremony
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2023 July

  • Exhibition
  • Closed
  • Tea Ceremony
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2023 August

  • Exhibition
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  • Tea Ceremony
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2023 September

  • Exhibition
  • Closed
  • Tea Ceremony
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2023 October

  • Exhibition
  • Closed
  • Tea Ceremony
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2023 November

  • Exhibition
  • Closed
  • Tea Ceremony
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2023 December

  • Exhibition
  • Closed
  • Tea Ceremony
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2024 January

  • Exhibition
  • Closed
  • Tea Ceremony
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2024 February

  • Exhibition
  • Closed
  • Tea Ceremony
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2024 March

  • Exhibition
  • Closed
  • Tea Ceremony
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2024 April

  • Exhibition
  • Closed
  • Tea Ceremony
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2024 May

  • Exhibition
  • Closed
  • Tea Ceremony
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2024 June

  • Exhibition
  • Closed
  • Tea Ceremony
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2024 July

  • Exhibition
  • Closed
  • Tea Ceremony
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2024 August

  • Exhibition
  • Closed
  • Tea Ceremony
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2024 September

  • Exhibition
  • Closed
  • Tea Ceremony
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2024 October

  • Exhibition
  • Closed
  • Tea Ceremony
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2024 November

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2024 December

  • Exhibition
  • Closed
  • Tea Ceremony
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