Pitcher with Dragon Head, National Treasure pitcher at Tokyo National Museum, Japan
The Pitcher with Dragon Head is a bronze vessel about 50 centimeters tall, with a detailed dragon head forming the spout. Its surface displays finely carved winged horses and glass inlays, showcasing the craftsmanship of this precious object in every detail.
The vessel dates to the 7th century and shows the artistic connections between Persia, China, and Japan during this early period. It came to the imperial collection in 1878 through a donation from Hōryū-ji Temple and later entered the Tokyo National Museum.
The mixture of Persian winged horses and Chinese dragon motifs shows how international artistic influences shaped Japanese metalwork in the 7th century. Visitors can see this East-West connection directly in the object's details.
The object is located in the Hōryū-ji Treasures section of Tokyo National Museum and is easy to reach from Ueno Station. Plan enough time to view the fine details and craftsmanship up close.
The vessel features a clever opening mechanism where pressing the dragon head opens the lid. This practical function allowed single-handed pouring, showing how beauty and usefulness came together in this piece.
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