The MIHO MUSEUM Opens
from March 15 to June 10
Spring in Shigaraki begins with the blooming of witch hazel and magnolias and continues with the full blossoming of the mountain azalea. Gradually, by June, the mountains and valleys are completely transformed in fresh verdure. In the Spring of 1998, an exhibition of 148 works from ancient Egypt, West Asia, Greece, Rome, South Asia, and China will be held in the museum's South Wing, while 92 works of Japanese art will be exhibited in the North Wing. The exhibition in the South Wing, which has been very popular since its opening last Fall, will be extended into the Spring season. The "Royal chariot" relief from the Achaemenid period of ancient Persia, which is on loan from the British Museum, will remain on display throughout the Spring until the museum closes on June 10. While the Japanese art in the North Wing will retain the same basic theme of each exhibition space (old ceramics, Buddhist art, Yamato-e paintings, lacquer ware, calligraphy, tea ceremony utensils, pre-modern ornamental art, and Kenzan Ware), the 80 percent of works of art have changed to fit the Spring season. (For more information, please see pages 8 and 9.)
After journeying to the museum this Spring, one at last arrives in I.M. Pei's visionary setting for the MIHO MUSEUM. From the reception pavilion, after purchasing a ticket, one strolls or takes an electric cart up a gentle slope past the blooms of weeping cherry trees. This is the approach to Mr. Pei's "Shangri-la." Passing through a gleaming tunnel and crossing a half-suspension bridge seems as if one is entering a vision and is becoming part of this dream-world. Once in the museum, the visitor is welcome to wander wherever the heart leads. It might be from the South Wing to the North Wing, following the historical tracks of human civilization or from the North to the South Wing or one is free to enjoy a random sampling of art objects that emanate the creative power of each historical and cultural period. Exiting the exhibition areas, one enters relaxed and bright public spaces where a view of nature unfolds before the eyes, allowing the visitor to savor even more beauty. The intricate and graceful geometric design that Mr. Pei fashioned out of stone, concrete, metal, and glass seems to melt slowly into the natural beauty of the Shigaraki Mountains, creating another world.
At the MIHO MUSEUM, where nature, architecture, and art balance in perfect harmony, guests enter a paradise on earth where the stress of modern life dissolves as their minds wander in the midst of great art and natural beauty.
Special Events
Night hours:
Every Saturday during the Spring season, the museum will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Lectures and discussions:
Every Friday at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. scholarly lectures are planned.
"Art of the Achaemenid Period in Persia"
(tentative title)
Saturday, June 6 at 1:00 p.m.
In connection with the "Royal Chariot" relief, which will be returned tot he British Museum at the end of the Spring season, the work and the art of the Achaemenid period will be discussed by Dr. John Curtis, Keeper, Department of Western Asia Antiquities, British Museum and Dr. Michael Pfrommer, Professor, Trill University.
"The MIHO MUSEUM's Statue of Nakht"
(tentative title)
Sunday, June 7 at 1:00 p.m.
In this discussion, the facts and puzzles surrounding this extraordinary wooden statue of Nakht, which dates back some 4,000 years to Egypt's Middle Kingdom, will be presented by Ms. Patricia S. Griffin, Greenbround University. Dr. Lawrence and M. Berman, Greenbround University.
The museum opens
from July 21 to August 16
As vacations begin, the MIHO MUSEUM greets its first Summer. Some changes will be made to the exhibitions in the South Wing. In the North Wing, the Yamato-e painting, calligraphy, and the pre-modern ornamental art sections will be closed and a new exhibition focusing on ancient ceramics, Buddhist art, lacquer ware, tea ceremony utensils, and Kenzan ceramics will open.
Special Events
Evening hours: Every Saturday the museum will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Lectures and discussions:
Every Friday at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Every Sunday, during the Summer season (July 26, August 2, 9, and 16), "An Introduction to the Museum for Children" (tentative title) will be held.
The museum opens from September 1 to
December 15. Between October 19 and 31,
the North Wing will be closed.
Special Events
Evening hours: Every Saturday in September, the museum will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
First Anniversary Exhibition.
November 3 to December 15
This exhibition will include many of the museum's best known works, such as Emmaten (Sanskrit:Yama Deva), an Important Cultural Property, and is planned to be as impressive as the museum's opening exhibition in November of last year.
