Gallery of Hōryū-ji Treasures, Buddhist art museum in Taitō-ku, Japan.
The Gallery of Hōryū-ji Treasures is a museum in a contemporary building designed by architect Yoshio Taniguchi at Tokyo National Museum, housing over 300 Buddhist artifacts. The space displays gilt-bronze Buddha statues, calligraphy, and lacquerwork across multiple levels.
The collection began with Hōryū-ji Temple's donation to the Imperial Household in 1878, leading to the establishment of this specialized gallery in 1964. The building was later constructed to properly display the growing collection within a dedicated space.
The collection carries the name of Hōryū-ji Temple, the ancient monastery from which these works originated, connecting the gallery to over 1000 years of Buddhist practice. The arranged objects show how devotion and craftsmanship shaped Japanese religious life across centuries.
Visitors should know that some valuable pieces rotate through displays to ensure preservation. Entry is included with Tokyo National Museum admission, allowing you to explore multiple galleries in one visit.
The mezzanine level uses digital technology to show extremely fragile works that cannot be permanently displayed. This allows visitors to see art objects that would otherwise remain completely hidden.
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