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Art Exhibitions

Paradise on Earth: Hangzhou and Wu-Yue Kingdom

Oct 24 – Dec 6 (38 dates) · Yamatobunkakan Museum, Nara · Nara

Dates

  • Oct 24 – Oct 25, 2026, 10:00–17:00
  • Oct 27 – Oct 31, 2026, 10:00–17:00
  • Sun, Nov 1, 2026, 13:00–16:30
  • Nov 3 – Nov 8, 2026, 10:00–17:00
  • Nov 10 – Nov 15, 2026, 10:00–17:00
  • Nov 17 – Nov 23, 2026, 10:00–17:00
  • Nov 25 – Nov 28, 2026, 10:00–17:00
  • Sun, Nov 29, 2026, 14:00–15:30
  • Dec 1 – Dec 6, 2026, 10:00–17:00

About this event

Summary
International symposium and lecture series exploring the cultural exchange between Hangzhou and Japan during the Wu-Yue Kingdom period.

Highlights
• Examination of Wu-Yue culture and Buddhism transmission to Japan
• Discussion of the "Eighty-four Thousand Pagodas" and their discovery in Japan
• Analysis of Hangzhou as a maritime trade hub and international city
• Exploration of Zen Buddhism and its connection to the Wu-Yue Kingdom
• Insights into cultural exchanges between Hangzhou, Japan, Korea, and the Dali Kingdom during the Heian period
• Presentation of the special exhibition "Paradise on Earth: Hangzhou and the Kingdom of Wu-yue – Faith and Beauty Across the Sea"

Details
The event series includes a special exhibition symposium and related lectures. The symposium features international speakers including Professor Yasuo Inamoto from Kyoto University, Kei Tabayashi from Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts, Teitian Ding from Dunhuang Academy, and Asako Taki from Yamato Bunkakan. The lectures cover themes such as "Wu-Yue Kingdom and Zen" presented by Dr. Yasushi Yanagikubo and Professor Kan Ryu. The exhibitions and lectures re-examine the spread of Wu-Yue culture, the flourishing of Buddhism under King Qian Hongshu, and the historical significance of Hangzhou as a cultural metropolis. The events trace the flow of culture and belief systems from East Asia to Japan, highlighting the historical connections established during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period and the Southern Song dynasty.

Also on the list: Art Exhibitions in Nara

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  7. Nara City Artists Association 45th Anniversary Exhibition

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Event details come from organizers' websites and web searches. They are not guaranteed to be accurate. Check the official website before you go. Times are Japan time (JST).