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Summer Special Exhibition 2012 Invitation to the Monster World: Tales from the Mythic Past Saturday, July 7 to Sunday, August 19, 2012 Pendant in shape of winged spirit Persia, Achaemenid dynasty, 4th century Gold inlaid with precious stones Various imaginary animals were created in ancient Mesopotamia, the cradle of civilization. Most creatures were composites of lions, snakes, and birds of prey, while some were parahuman, or human-animal, hybrids. Many of them accompanied the gods and as such were viewed as guardian spirits by humans. At times, they were also seen as evil apparitions of misfortune.
Human beings were helpless against such powerful beasts that represented manifestations of the “inconceivable,” and because these creatures closely gathered around the uncertainties and fears of life, they were intricately woven into various ancient tales.
This exhibition explores these “sacred creatures” in works of art from West Asia, Greece, the Roman Empire, Southeast Asia, and China and unravels their stories. Whether they are distinctive to a region or surpass time and place and are universal, from west to east and east to west, similar creatures and monsters took on various forms. Although their appearances may differ, perhaps their commonality can be found in the fear and awe they inspired as beings that transcended human strength.
Ornamental plate in shape of Eros Bactria, excavated from Takht-i Sangin, c. 1st-2nd century Bronze The National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan
Griffin-shaped Hilt Takht-i Sangin, ca. 5th–4th c. BCE Ivory The National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan Ornamental plate in shape of Eros Bactria, excavated from Takht-i Sangin, c. 1st-2nd century Bronze The National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan Phoenix-shaped Ornament China, Former Han dynasty, ca. 3rd c. BCE -1st c. CE Gilt bronze with glass inlay
Griffin-shaped Hilt Takht-i Sangin, ca. 5th–4th c. BCE Ivory The National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan
Griffin-shaped Hilt Takht-i Sangin, ca. 5th–4th c. BCE Ivory The National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan Organized by MIHO MUSEUM, Ancient Orient Museum (Tokyo), Kyoto Shimbun Newspaper Co., Ltd. With the cooperation of The National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan Supported by Shiga Prefecture*, Shiga Prefectural Board of Education*, NHK Broadcasting Otsu Office*, Biwako Broadcasting Co., Ltd.*, and FM-Kyoto Inc.* (*scheduled)


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