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The Tokyo National Museum is the oldest and the largest museum in Japan. It houses 90,000 cultural treasures of art and archeological items, extensively covering the various regions of Asia, centering on Japan. Set up in 1872, the Tokyo National museum is worth seeing. About the Museum The Tokyo National Museum collects houses and upholds an extensive collection of art works and archaeological objects of Asia concentrating on Japan. The museum houses 87 Japanese National Treasures, 610 important cultural property and others. The museum also holds research and conducts educational events related to its assemblage. The major thrusts on the collections of the museum are on the ancient Japanese art and Asian art along the Silk Road. You will also find a huge collection of Greco-Buddhist art. The museum consists of five Exhibition Buildings. They are: - Honkan or the Japanese Gallery: The original main gallery was designed by British architect Josiah Condor. But it was immensely destroyed by the 1923, Great Kanto Earthquake. The present Honkan is designed by Watanabe Jin. This gallery houses 24 exhibition rooms on two floors. It consists of exhibition from 10,000 B.C. till the late 19th century. You will various kinds of art works here. Like ceramics, sculpture, swords, and others. From the 1st room to the 10th it intertwines theme exhibitions such as "Art of Buddhism", "Art of Tea ceremony", "The clothing of Samurai", "Noh and Kabuki", and etc. One national treasure object is exhibited by turns every time in the 2nd room as "The national treasure room". The room has been given the title "The flow of Japanese art". You will find exhibition rooms according to the genres such as Sculpture, Metalworking, Pottery, Japanning, Katana, Ethnic material, Historic material, Modern art, and etc from the 11th room to 20th room. There are small exhibition rooms where planning such as "new objects exhibitions". There is also an extra room which is an event meeting place for children. - Toyokan or the Asian Gallery: The building was opened in 1968 and contrived by Taniguchi Yoshio. This three storied building gives you an illusion of a five storied building. The Asian Gallery consists of ten exhibition rooms set up on seven region levels. It is consecrated to the art and archaeology of Asia, including China, the Korean peninsula, Southeast Asia, India, the Middle east and Egypt.
- The 1st room consists of Sculptures of India and Gandhara.
- The 2nd and 3rd room houses sculptures of Egypt, West Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia.
- The 4th and 5th room consists of Chinese artifacts and archaeology.
- The 6th and 7th room has a lounge and small exhibit space.
- The 8th room houses Chinese painting and calligraphy.
- The 9th and 10th room has treasures from Central Asia and Korean peninsula
There is also a restaurant and a museum shop on the first floor. So you can sit and relax after visiting all the floors of this building. - Hyokeikan was inaugurated in 1909. The main purpose behind the construction of this building was to mark the marriage ceremony of the late Emperor Taisho. This building is an Important Cultural Property and is a symbolic example of the Western-style architecture of the late Meji period. This building is meant for special events and temporary exhibitions only. - Heiseikan was opened in 1999 to celebrate the crown prince's marriage .houses the Japanese Archaeology Gallery which reflects Japanese history through archaeological objects from the ancient to pre-modern times. The second floor is solely dedicated in organizing special exhibitions. The building also has a lounge and an auditorium.
- Horyu-ji Homotsukan or the Gallery of Horyu-ji Treasures houses artworks from 319 Horyu-ji Treasures which was originally donated to the Imperial Household by Horyu-ji in 1878. These are displayed in six rooms. - Shiryokan or the Research and Information Center was established in 1984. It contains various documents related to archaeological objects, fine art, applied arts, and historic materials of Asia and the Middle East, with a special emphasis on Japan's legacy. There are restaurants and shops within the museum premises. There are outdoor exhibitions and a garden where there are places for the gusts to relax. Thus, this awesome museum is worth visiting. You will feel as if you are walking with Japan's history as you visit this largest museum of Japan.
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