Exhibition Schedule 2010

April 2 (Fri) - May 30 (Sun), 2010: 10th Anniversary Exhibition: Ko-Garatsu, from the Idemitsu Collection; For the first special exhibition to open the commemorative 10th anniversary year, Ko-Garatsu ware from the Idemitsu collection will be featured. With the techniques received from the Korean ceramic craftsmen, Ko-Garatsu flourished in the Hizen region of Kyūshū during the Momoyama period. With its distinctive "softness" of the clay and the pristine quality of being the vessels used among the commoners, it even has the power of enchanting and even "curing" the hearts of the modern men. The first director of the Idemitsu Museum of Arts, Sazo Idemitsu is known to have collected Ko-Garatsu with fascination, and masterpieces from his collection will be selected for this exhibition. It is also our aim to introduce the achievements of scholars Fujio Koyama and Wasaburō Mizumachi who helped spread the beauty of Ko-Garatsu ware.

June 4 (Fri) - August 29 (Sun), 2010: 10th Anniversary Exhibition: Masterpieces of Chinese Ceramics, from the Idemitsu Collection; This exhibition will feature masterpieces of Chinese ceramics from the Idemitsu collection. Sazo Idemitsu started collecting Chinese ceramics centering on Song porcelain in the 1920s when the company launched its business in China. It is said that Sazo used to bring back items he bought to his Moji home every business trip he made to China. Even after WWII until today, our museum has continued to enhance its collection. It is considered to be one of the world’s main collections of Chinese ceramics both in quality and quantity. For this exhibition, about 70 items will be selected for display.

September 3 (Fri) - November 7 (Sun), 2010: 10th Anniversary Exhibition: Auspicious Design-Gods of Good Fortune on Ceramics for Festivities, from the Idemitsu Collection; Shochikubai (pine-bamboo-plum), Mt. Hōrai (Penglai shan), crane and tortoise, rabbits on waves—we are surrounded by auspicious designs and symbols. Auspicious designs were brought into Japan from China in the ancient times, and they transformed into Japanese forms and designs appropriate for special occasions such as weddings and festivities. For example in China, the god of longevity, Jurō, and the symbol of peace, Hotei, are depicted in Zen Buddhist paintings, whereas in Japan, they are transformed into cute and adorable gods of the Seven Deities of Good Fortine, Shichifukujin. The Japanese mentality toward prayer for happiness will be deciphered from Japanese art filled with auspicious patterns.

November 12 (Fri) - January 16 (Sun), 2011: 10th Anniversary Exhibition: Masterpieces of Japanese Ceramics, from the Idemitsu Collection; Elegance and serenity—the two contrasting elements of beauty are both present in Japanese ceramics. The masterpieces of Japanese ceramics will be selected from the Idemitsu collection for display. The show will feature ceramics centering on items such as Ko-Kutani filled with rich colors and masterpieces of Itaya Hazan that are considered to mark the pinnacle of Japanese modern ceramics. They are considered to form pillars of the Idemitsu collection. In addition, Nara period Sanage ware, Muromachi period Ko-Seto ware, Momoyama period Shino and Oribe wares, and the ornate Kyoto ware and masterpieces of Kakiemon and Nabeshima kilns will also be on display.

January 21 (Fri) - March 27 (Sun), 2011: 10th Anniversary Exhibition: One-Line Calligraphy and Tea Ceramics, from the Idemitsu Collection; The main item of appreciation in tea ceremony is the hanging scroll, or kakemono, displayed in the alcove (tokonoma). Since the Edo period, especially the "one-line" calligraphy has been valued as the most important among the kakemono. In one-line calligraphy, the subject matter is made easy for people to understand, leading people to the world of Zen. These hanging scrolls with Zen expressions written in just few words in exactly one line were appreciated because they clearly and concisely expressed the essence of the tea ceremony. The tea ceremony has also provided a very important occasion for gathering among men of taste since the ancient times. The masterpieces of one-line calligraphy and tea utensils are selected in order to recreate such intimate world of tea ceremony.