Over the centuries, Zen Buddhism and its institutions have served as a catalyst for the creation and transmission of Japanese art. Many Zen monasteries have built up extraordinary collections of art, passed down from generation to generation. This is particularly the case for Shokoku-ji in Kyoto, whose collection is at the centre of this exhibition.
Held from March 29 to May 25 at the University Art Museum, ‘Legacy of Zen Temples: Shokoku-ji, Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji, Kyoto’ highlights the exceptional artistic heritage of Shokoku-ji and its affiliated temples, the famous Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) and Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion). Organised for the 40th anniversary of the Shokoku-ji Jotenkaku Museum, the exhibition brings together more than 45 National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties.
‘Legacy of Zen Temples’ focuses on the role of important historical figures while detailing how the works on display became part of the monastic collection. It traces the temples’ history, marked by losses, transfers, and destruction due to fires and wars, and highlights how despite these hazards, Shokoku-ji has kept the core of its collection for more than six centuries.
