Exhibition of National Treasure Koyasan Kongobuji Temple in commemoration of the 1,250th anniversary of the birth of Kobo Daishi Kukai （The Museum of Art, Ehime）

Exhibition of National Treasure Koyasan Kongobuji Temple in commemoration of the 1,250th anniversary of the birth of Kobo Daishi Kukai

The Museum of Art, Ehime

Finished

The coming year 2023 will mark the 1,250th anniversary of the birth of Kobo Daishi Kukai (774-835). To commemorate this anniversary, this exhibition introduces about 40 selected masterpieces from Kongobuji Temple on Koyasan, which was founded by Kukai. Kukai, who traveled to Tang China and inherited the orthodoxy of esoteric Buddhism, established Koyasan in 816 with the imperial sanction of Emperor Saga as a center for ascetic practices to master the secrets of esoteric Buddhism. It is believed that he entered the inner sanctum in 835 and still prays for the salvation of sentient beings. In the 1,200 years of its history since its foundation, Koyasan has been a sacred place for Shingon esoteric Buddhism and a place of longing for Kukai and has attracted faith that transcends time and religious sects. The imperial family, aristocrats, and powerful feudal lords of the time donated Buddhist statues, paintings, and crafts that were created using the best techniques of the time, resulting in the formation of one of Japan's largest and highest-level treasures of Buddhist art. It is also known as the "Shosoin of the Mountains. Through this exhibition, visitors will be able to experience the essence of Japanese culture nurtured by the spirit of Kukai and the magnificent history of Koyasan. This exhibition also introduces materials that show the connection between Koyasan and Iyo.

[Events]
1. Opening Event
Date: October 1 (Sat), 13:30-15:30 (doors open 13:00)
Venue: Matsuyama Civic Hall
Lecture "The History of Koyasan and the Life of Kukai"
Lecturer: Yasunobu Imagawa (Chief Administrator of Koyasan Shingon Sect)
Lecture "Cultural Properties of Kongobuji Temple"
Lecturer: Teruryu Omori (Director of Koyasan Reihokan)
Capacity: 583 persons

2. Special Exhibition Lecture I "Treasures of Kongobuji Temple"
Date: [Buddhist Sculptures and Handicrafts] October 22 (Sat) / [Paintings and Calligraphy] November 12 (Sat)
14:00-15:00 each day
Venue: Auditorium
Lecturer: Ken Nagai (curator and section chief of the museum)
Capacity: 60 people

3. Lecture "Buddhist Sculptures of Kongobuji Temple"
Date: October 30 (Sun) 10:30-12:00
Place: Auditorium of the museum
Lecturer: Shiro Ito (Director of Wakayama Prefectural Museum, supervisor of this exhibition)
Capacity: 60 people

4. Special Exhibition Lecture II "Koyasan and Iyo in the Middle Ages: Focusing on the Kongo-Zanmai-in Documents"
Date: November 3 (Thu, holiday) 14:00-15:00　
Place: Auditorium of the museum
Lecturer: Satotomo Doi (Chief Curator of the Museum)
Capacity: 60 persons
For more information on the event and how to register, please visit the official website.

Schedule

Oct 1 (Sat) 2022-Nov 20 (Sun) 2022

Opening Hours Information

Hours	9:40-18:00
Closed	Monday Open on a public holiday Monday but closed on the following day. Open on the 1st Monday of each months and closed on the following day. Closed during the New Year holidays.
Notice	Closed on October 4, 11 and November 8.

Fee

Adults ¥1500, Seniors 65 & Over ¥1400, University and High School Students ¥900, Junior High and Elementary School Students ¥700, Persons with Disability Certificates + 1 Companion free.

Website

https://www.ehime-art.jp/info/?p=3223