Saidaiji Temple, Nara, The Treasures of Eison and his school

⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ Excellent and Highly Recommendable

Official Site

Official Site 2

Site: Mitsui Memorial Museum

Until 11th June, 2017

Nice selection of Buddhist sculptures and metal works in Kamakura period, celebrating 1250th anniversary of establishing Saidaiji Temple and focusing Eison (1202-1290) one of reformist monks in Kamakura period.

Two national treasures are magnificent: the Stone Box of Buddha is one of the finest metal work in Kamakura period, with sophisticated dragon, flowers and lions showing the Japanese craftsmanship having catching up with Song of China; and the statute of Eison is semi-idealized embodiment of the dignity and self-discipline of the great religious leader.

The statue of Zenzai Douji (Virtues Boy) is charming with his face in profile, which looks alike ones of Hellenistic or Gandhara sculptures.

Another National Treasure, Twelve Devas could be called an ancestor of Japanese "kawaii characters", which have survived until modern Japanese pop characters, through medieval emaki scrolls, yamatoe flooding scrolls, ukiyoe prints and Tezuka Osamu.

From 6th June on, Lakshmi of Joururiji, one of the loveliest goddess sculpture and one rarely displayed out of the temple, come to the exhibition. Never to miss.

The merit of exhibitions in Mitsui Memorial Museum is the closeness to the work, especially in case of sculptures. Lighting is also excellent.  The wooden furniture of the museum is of classic taste, well suited to exhibition of Japanese arts.

For frequent visitors, Museum Passport is recommendable, with unlimited free entry for 2 persons during one year and discounts at the museum shop.