Ueno’s museums are a premier destination to enjoy a wide roster of exhibitions exploring the wonders of art and the natural world. Although you certainly don’t need a PhD to appreciate the visit, when it comes to topics such as calligraphy, archaeology, and avant-garde art, sometimes a little bit of guidance goes a long way in getting the most out of the museum-going experience. On that note, we’ve assembled a panel of curators and specialist experts, ready to take you behind the scenes on a curated tour of recent exhibitions in Ueno, from the master Chinese calligrapher who gives new meaning to an exhibition showcasing the art of the written word, to the researchers unraveling the secrets of ancient Egyptian mummies at the Tokyo National Museum.
Calligraphy
connoisseurs will be wise to take note of Wen Zhengming and Artworks of the
Ming Dynasty, a joint exhibition hosted concurrently by both the Tokyo
National Museum and the Taito City Calligraphy Museum. The exhibition examines
the work of multidisciplinary artist Wen Zhengming (1470-1559), while shining a
light on the vibrant milieu of fellow culturati who influenced his formative
years in Suzhou. Heralded as one of the Four Masters of Ming painting,
Zhengming was also a prolific calligrapher, active in the middle of the Ming
dynasty, the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644.
The rich world of Chinese calligraphy may seem daunting to the uninitiated. Fortunately, I was able to enlist the help of master Chinese calligrapher Yuhou. Fresh off an appearance on the NHK BS television program Miracle Lessons: Calligraphy Edition, Yuhou graciously agreed to take this layman journalist on a guided tour. In this installment, we take a peek behind the curtain at the exhibition being held at the Taito City Calligraphy Museum.
Continuing our tour of the Wen Zhengming and Artworks of the Ming Dynasty exhibition (a joint exhibition hosted concurrently by the Tokyo National Museum and the Taito City Calligraphy Museum), we headed to Ueno for a master class in the fundamentals of calligraphy appreciation. Our guide for the day, Chinese calligrapher Yuhou, previously explained how meaning is secondary, and how it’s more important to emotionally connect with the atmosphere conveyed by a calligraphic work. In this installment, we explore masterpieces on display at the Tokyo National Museum, and discuss some of the specific criteria that help inform a deeper understanding of calligraphy.
The Tokyo National Museum and Taito City
Calligraphy Museum have kicked off the 2020 season with an ambitious, joint
exhibition that examines the life and times of multidisciplinary Chinese artist
Wen Zhengming (1470-1559). Spanning the vaunted halls of both museums, the sprawling
exhibition places a particular emphasis on Wen’s calligraphy, while also
introducing audiences to the vibrant milieu of fellow culturati active in his
hometown of Suzhou. Although relatively unknown in 21st century
Japan, Wen Zhengming’s legacy lives on in China, where his name remains
synonymous with the Ming dynasty. Despite a well-deserved reputation as one of
the foremost masters of his craft, Wen is rumored to have been quite a late
bloomer. A lackluster calligrapher in his youth, his subsequent success is a
sterling testament to the virtues of diligence, perseverance, and lifelong
practice.
In this article, Katsunori Mutobe, Assistant Curator of Asian Calligraphy at the Tokyo National Museum, provides a rundown of the many treasures that await at the exhibition, titled: Wen Zhengming and Artworks of the Ming Dynasty –Celebrating the 550th Anniversary of Weng Zhengming’s Birth-.
Mummies have been on the mind this year following the resounding success of Mummies of the World, an ambitious special exhibition held at the National Museum of Nature and Science. Ueno Park is home to another exceptionally rare and remarkable mummy, located on permanent display right next door at the Tokyo National Museum. Join us as we explore the untold secrets of the mummy who slumbers in the halls of the Tokyo National Museum.
The annual “The Vision of Contemporary Art (VOCA) Exhibition” held at the Ueno Royal Museum is considered a great opportunity for young artists to exhibit their work to a wide audience. This year’s VOCA 2020 was its 27th exhibition. So, exactly what is the VOCA Exhibition? We spoke to a veteran curator who has been organizing the event for more than 20 years, and asked what makes the VOCA exhibition so special, together with some pointers in order to thoroughly enjoy the exhibition.
