Nara, Japan May. 01 Wed 1:04AM
Formerly the Imperial Nara Museum
Established in 1889, the Nara National Museum is an art museum for mostly Japanese Buddhist art pieces.
There are two wings to this museum – both of which are connected via a 150 meter-long underground passageway.
Design
The older wing was designed in French Renaissance style during the Meiji period and is an official Important Cultural Property of Japan. The newer wing was added on in 1973.
Collection
The permanent collection of the museum includes Buddhist statues, paintings, scrolls, and ceremonial objects. These can be found in both wings. The new wing also puts on rotating exhibitions, including an annual autumn exhibition of Todaiji Temple treasures.
A lot of the collection comes from the nearby temples and shrines of Nara.
Some notable items on display are the 12th century Hell Scroll, the 11th/12th century mandala Jōdo mandara-zu, and the 9th century sculpture of Buddha Yakushi.
Tea
Also a part of the Nara National Museum grounds is the Hassoan or Japanese tea ceremony house. This Edo period building was originally built by the Kōfuku-ji Temple, and is considered one of the Three Great Tea Houses of Nara. In an effort to preserve the tea house, residents of Nara petitioned for the building to be given to the Nara Museum. Thus this house has rested on Nara National Museum grounds since 1892.
Access
The museum is located in Nara Park, and is a 15 minute walk from Kintetsu-Nara Station. There are also buses that run from both this station and Nara Station – for these, hop off at the Himuro Shrine/National Museum stop! 520 yen will grant you access to both wings of the museum.