Miho Museum special exhibitions

Monday, June 02, 2008

Japan’s renowned Miho Museum has announced it will hold its 2008 special summer and autumn exhibitions from July 12 to August 17 and from September 2 to December 14, respectively.

Entitled “Rhyton: Ancient Sacred Drinking Vessels”, the summer exhibition introduces animal-shaped vessels dating back over four thousand years and traces myths and legends thought to have been associated with them. Visitors to the museum can explore these wonderful objects which spread from the Mediterranean to Central Asia with the appearance of the Persian empire and Alexander. Seventy objects will be on display in the museum’s North Wing.

A special lecture titled “Discovery of the fifth ancient civilization: report on the bronze-age site Gonur Tepe, Turkmenistan” will be given by Russian archaeologist Dr. Victor Sarianidi on July 19 in the museum’s South Wing Lecture Hall. Advanced reservations are necessary.

The autumn exhibition, entitled “Yamato magnificence:　Kawabata Yasunari and Yasuda Yukihiko”, examines the 24 year exchange between author (Kawabata) and painter (Yasuda) and the works of art they cherished. Many calligraphic works by Buddhist monk Ryokan (1758-1831) will also be exhibited. The pure spirit that inspired them will deeply impress those who see this exhibit.