Tokyo National Museum

 

The Hyokeikan..... administration building

The Tokyo National Musem has huge grounds which include the Japanese Gallery (top photo), Heiseikan, The Gallery of Horyuji Treasures, Asian Gallery and gardens. On the go since 1872 and holds artifacts fom not just Japan but throughout Asia. We spent over 5 hours in the various buildings looking at the vast collections and came away with  a greater appreciation of Japanese history. There is a real mix of influences - China, Korea, Cambodia, India and the Middle East. 

This is Buddha dying, known as Nirvana with disciples hovering in distress. This was in 732AD. 

Japan was originally Shinto religion then the influence of Buddhism from India with both being accepted.

Right hand taking away fear and left hand granting wishes.

The Heiseikan building houses Japanese archaeology. The Japanese Gallery was packed with arts, amazing sculptures and ceramics. The Asian Gallery with lacquer work, bronzes and metal work.

Superb craftsmanship

Samurai armour, they only little fellas maybe 150cm on tip toes

This next piece of metal work was so detailed and clever. The legs moved as did the head. There was a hawk beside it whose metal wings also moved.

Fearsome and those eyes!

Swords displayed sent shivers down your spine they were so so sharp

Like New Zealand Japan has regular and significant earthquakes. There was a huge earthquake in 1923...the Kanto...8.3 on the Richter scale. The fires caused by the earthquake destroyed the Tokyo city centre, it killed 140,000+ people and 300,000 houses destroyed. We are amazed that some of the antiquities we have seen survived, particularly the ceramics and earthenware.

Another big old Ginkgo Biloba commonly known as Maidenhair tree.

Gardens generally feature water and are serene places.

Lots of families enjoying the Golden Week holiday. Lots of little kids running round and round the fountain with gay abandon. A delight.

Love this wee boys backpack.

Headed back to our hotel after the tranquility of the museums and grounds back in amongst the thronging crowds.

Not quite the last supper but for our final night in Tokyo, we fly out tomorrow night, we thought sushi was a fitting finale.