About this exhibition
The Koryŏ dynasty (918-1392), the first to unify the entire Korean Peninsula, was a Buddhist state. Through repeated conflicts and considerable cultural exchanges with the nations surrounding it, Koryŏ developed a Buddhist culture without peer. The Fragrant Sublime: Koryŏ Buddhist Paintings is a special exhibition that offers an opportunity to experience masterpieces of Koryŏ Buddhist art from the eleventh to the fourteenth centuries. The thirty-eight paintings and craft objects in this exhibition present a world of tranquil beauty that flowered in the land that has long been Japan’s neighbor. Included are stately images of Amitābha, the Water-Moon Avalokiteśvara depicted with unsurpassed elegance, imposing paintings of Kşitigabha, superbly decorated sutras transcribed in gold and silver, and handsome Buddhist implements. We hope that visitors will enjoy this world, whose distinctive beauty differs from that seen in Japanese Buddhist painting.
Official exhibition pageThemes
Plan a trip around here
This exhibition has closed. Exhibitions coming up at museums within about 15 km of Nezu Museum.
- 黒の躍動2026Jul17(Fri)–Nov23(Mon)Taro Okamoto Memorial Museumunder1kmfrom Nezu Museum
- 森万里子展2026Oct31(Sat)–2027Mar28(Sun)Mori Art Museum1kmfrom Nezu Museum
- ロン・ミュエク2026Apr29(Wed)–Sep23(Wed)Mori Art Museum1kmfrom Nezu Museum
- 大志学園卒業制作展2027Feb23(Tue)–Mar7(Sun)Sato Museum of Art2kmfrom Nezu Museum
- 百花精彩 明から清までの中国陶磁2026Oct27(Tue)–2027Feb7(Sun)Matsuoka Museum of Art3kmfrom Nezu Museum
- 粧い眠る 秋と冬の日本画名品選2026Oct27(Tue)–2027Feb7(Sun)Matsuoka Museum of Art3kmfrom Nezu Museum
- マリメッコ展 模様のちから2026Oct3(Sat)–Dec20(Sun)Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum3kmfrom Nezu Museum
- リトアニアの手工品展(仮称)2027Jan16(Sat)–Mar28(Sun)Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum3kmfrom Nezu Museum
- “Ku-Ten” (Works of Meguro City Citizens)2026Sep16(Wed)–Sep27(Sun)Meguro Museum of Art3kmfrom Nezu Museum
- ぐるぐる展2026Mar28(Sat)–Sep23(Wed)MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives4kmfrom Nezu Museum
- いのちの未来+2026Jul25(Sat)–Sep25(Fri)MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives4kmfrom Nezu Museum
The red line is today. Where bars overlap, those shows are open at the same time.
In September, 5 of these are open at the same time.
Dates come from the sources cited on each exhibition page. Please check each museum’s official site before you go.
Similar exhibitions
Other exhibitions sharing themes, movements, or eras with this one.
Mitsui Memorial Museum
Past特別展 魂を込めた 円空仏 ―飛騨・千光寺を中心にして―
2025Feb1(Sat)–Mar30(Sun)A special exhibition featuring Enku Buddha statues, with a focus on those from Hida's Senkoji Temple.
SEARCH円空#Enku#Enku Buddha Statues#Buddhist Statues#Buddhist ArtMitsui Memorial Museum
Past特別展 文明の十字路 バーミヤン大仏の太陽神と弥勒信仰 ―ガンダーラから日本へ―
2024Sep14(Sat)–Nov12(Tue)Explore the sun god of the Bamiyan Great Buddha and Maitreya faith, from Gandhara to Japan.
SEARCH#Buddhas of Bamiyan#Sun God#Maitreya Belief#GandharaKyoto National Museum
Past仏画 地蔵と十王
2023Aug22(Tue)–Sep18(Mon)An exhibition at Kyoto National Museum showcasing Buddhist paintings of Jizo and the Ten Kings.
ARCHIVE#Buddhist Painting#Jizo#Ten Kings of Hell#Buddhist ArtKyoto National Museum
Past時宗の祖師絵伝
2023Feb7(Tue)–Mar5(Sun)ARCHIVE#Ji-shū Buddhism#Illustrated Biographies of Patriarchs#Buddhist Art#EmakimonoKyoto National Museum
Past弘法大師空海の絵伝 生誕1250年を記念して
2023Jan2(Mon)–Feb5(Sun)An exhibition celebrating the 1250th birth anniversary of Kobo Daishi Kukai, featuring illustrated handscrolls.
ARCHIVE#Kūkai#Kōbō-Daishi#Illustrated Biography#EmakiThe Metropolitan Museum of Art
PastThe Genesis Facade Commission: Lee Bul, Long Tail Halo
until2025May27(Tue)Experience Lee Bul's 'Long Tail Halo,' a commissioned artwork for the Genesis Facade at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
ARCHIVELee Bul#Lee Bul#Contemporary Art#Sculpture#InstallationTokugawa Art Museum
Soon企画展 古写経 祈りの美
2027Jan5(Tue)–Jan31(Sun)Masterpieces of ancient Japanese sutras, revealing the beauty of calligraphy and the profound prayers they embody.
OFFICIAL#Old Sutra Manuscripts#Sutra Copying#Buddhist Art#PrayerThe Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu
Past信仰と日本の近現代美術
2026Jul4(Sat)–Aug30(Sun)Explore Japanese modern and contemporary art from the Gifu Prefectural Museum's collection, focusing on faith and traditional themes.
OFFICIAL#Faith#Buddhist Art#Japanese Art#Modern and Contemporary Art
artible · AI AUDIO GUIDE
Hear the story behind every masterpiece.
AI-narrated audio guides, made by artible. Themed tours of the world’s masterpieces — anytime, free.
Not official Nezu Museum content.
Curations
This page is an independent guide compiled by artible. It is not affiliated with Nezu Museum.


