Sacred Monsters in Buddhist Art
仏教美術の聖なる怪物
An exhibition exploring how Buddhist art depicts non-human beings such as serpents and demons alongside buddhas and bodhisattvas across different regions.
The exhibition explores how Buddhist art incorporates non-human beings alongside buddhas and bodhisattvas. Featured creatures include nagas (serpents) that protect Buddha, demons that listen to sacred teachings, and various guardian figures. The exhibition traces how these beings appear across different Buddhist regions and time periods, examining regional variations in artistic representation whilst maintaining consistent symbolic functions.
Related Programming
The museum offers several programmes related to the exhibition. Curator talks are held on July 18 and August 8 from 13:30 to 14:15 in Lecture Room 101. These talks are free with an exhibition ticket, available to the first 50 attendees, and require no advance registration. (Conducted in Japanese)
An interactive activity called "Challenge from Sacred Monsters" is available throughout the exhibition period. Participants answer riddles posed by the exhibition's creatures and receive completion certificates upon success. Participation is free with an exhibition ticket. (Activity conducted in Japanese)
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