The New Year marks the beginning of a new chapter in life. Throughout history, people have sought to invite good fortune at this time by incorporating auspicious symbols into their celebrations. One example rooted in Chinese traditions is Mount Penglai, the island of the immortals. In Japan, miniature versions with cranes and turtles were crafted to invoke longevity. Mount Penglai’s associations with paradise were eventually transposed to Japan’s own Mount Fuji, a peak historically venerated as a sacred mountain. The phoenix is another popular motif that originated in China, where it was revered as a legendary bird heralding the arrival of a great sovereign. In Japan, the phoenix was frequently incorporated into paintings and decorative arts as a symbol of nobility, particularly works associated with the Imperial Household. Other mythical beasts, like the majestic qilin and Chinese lion, came to embody wishes for peace and harmony. This exhibition explores the rich world of auspicious symbols in Japanese art, inviting visitors to embark on a journey through a collection of works brimming with hope for a bright future.
“White Phoenix on an Old Pine Tree”
from Colorful Realm of Living Beings
Ito Jakuchu
Edo period, circa 1766. National Treasure
(On view: February 4–March 2)
Volume 1 of Illustrated Tale of Mount Penglai (detail)
Edo period, 17th–18th century
(On view: February 4–March 2)
Featuring various auspicious motifs―Mount Penglai, Mount Fuji, pines, cranes, turtles, treasure ships, mythical creatures and more, this exhibition showcases a selection of calligraphy, paintings, and decorative arts passed down by the Imperial Family. Enjoy the beauty of these good fortune symbols, ideal for the beginning of the New Year.
Masterpieces of Japanese art, created by celebrated artists from the 17th to mid-20th century like Ito Jakuchu (1716-1800) and Yokoyama Taikan (1868-1958), will beautifully adorn the New Year season.
Explore the rich history and culture of Japan at the museum located within the Imperial Palace’s East Gardens.
Land of the Rising Sun, Japan
Yokoyama Taikan
Showa era, 1940
(On view: January 4–March 2)
Phoenixes and Rising Sun
Ito Jakuchu
Edo period, 1755
(On view: January 4–February 2)
Treasure Ship
"Nagasaki-maru"
Ezaki Eizo
Taisho era, 1916
(On view: January 4–March 2)
Incense Burner Shaped
Like a Mythical Beast (Qilin)
Edo period, 19th century
(On view: January 4–March 2)
Phoenixes
Yuki Somei
Taisho era, 1925
(On view: January 4–February 2)
Pair of Cranes
Tsukada Shukyo, Kurokawa Yoshikatsu
Taisho era, 1915
(On view: January 4–March 2)
Phoenix
Unno Yoshimori II
Taisho era, 1916
(On view: January 4–March 2)
Pair of Chinese Lions
Numata Ichiga
Showa era, 1928
(On view: January 4–March 2)
*All works in the exhibitions are housed in The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan.
Land of the Rising Sun, Japan
Yokoyama Taikan
Showa era, 1940
(On view: January 4–March 2)
Phoenixes
Yuki Somei
Taisho era, 1925
(On view: January 4–February 2)
Phoenixes and Rising Sun
Ito Jakuchu
Edo period, 1755
(On view: January 4–February 2)
Pair of Cranes
Tsukada Shukyo, Kurokawa Yoshikatsu
Taisho era, 1915
(On view: January 4–March 2)
Treasure Ship
"Nagasaki-maru"
Ezaki Eizo
Taisho era, 1916
(On view: January 4–March 2)
Phoenix
Unno Yoshimori II
Taisho era, 1916
(On view: January 4–March 2)
Incense Burner Shaped
Like a Mythical Beast (Qilin)
Edo period, 19th century
(On view: January 4–March 2)
Pair of Chinese Lions
Numata Ichiga
Showa era, 1928
(On view: January 4–March 2)
*All works in the exhibitions are housed in The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan.
Exhibition
Inviting Fortune:
Auspicious Symbols in Japanese Art
Exhibition Dates
Saturday, January 4–Sunday, March 2, 2025
First Rotation: January 4–February 2
Second Rotation: February 4–March 2
Closed
Mondays (or the following Tuesday if Monday is a holiday), February 23 (The Emperor's Birthday).
*The Museum opens on Mondays January 13 & February 24 and closes the following Tuesdays (January 14 & February 25) instead.
*Subject to change.
Hours
Admissions
Adults: ¥1,000 University students: ¥500
*Free admission for high school students, visitors under 18, and visitors aged 70 years or more.
*Visitors with disabilities, along with the one assistant, will be admitted for free without a booking.
Please show valid ID or documentation.
Advance online booking is recommended.
- Pre-booked ticket holders are given priority entry to maintain a better viewing environment.
- Tickets are also sold at the Museum on the day of the visit. This does not guarantee walk-in tickets at the time of your visit as places are subject to availability.
- If the number of available tickets becomes less than thirty, it will be indicated on the ticket sales website. Kindly note that we are not able to answer inquiries over the telephone.
* Visitors with disabilities (along with the one assistant) will be admitted for free without reservation.
Number of objects
in the exhibition
46 works
*All housed in The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan.
Organizer
The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan
Venue
The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan
1-8 Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-0001 (within the Imperial Palace East Gardens)
Website
[Museum website]
https://shozokan.nich.go.jp/en/
Social media
[Instagram]
https://www.instagram.com/shozokan_pr/
Official account @shozokan_pr
Tel.
+81 (0)50-5541-8600 (NTT Hello Dial Service)
Press Inquiries
Public Relations Office (within Kyodo PR) of The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan
Contact: Ms. Mitsui
10th Floor, Ginza Shochiku Square, 1-13-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045
Tel: +81 (0)3-6264-2382
E-mail: shozokan-pr@kyodo-pr.co.jp
The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan
1-8 Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-0001 (with in the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace)
Subway Lines: 5-minute walk from Otemachi Station (Exit c13a)
JR Lines: 15-minute walk from Tokyo Station (Marunouchi North Exit)
◎ Hirakawa-mon Gate >>>
Subway Tozai Line: 10-minute walk from Takebashi Station (Exit 1a)
◎ Kitahanebashi-mon Gate >>>
Subway Tozai Line: 15-minute walk from Takebashi Station (Exit 1a)
*Hirakawa-mon Gate and Kitahanebashi-mon Gate are closed on Fridays and when the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace are closed.
In 1989, His Majesty the Emperor Emeritus and His mother Empress Kojun gifted a substantial collection of art to the nation of Japan that had previously been passed down by the Imperial Family. In November 1993, the Museum of the Imperial Collections was established in the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace in order to conserve these works, discover more about them through research, and make them accessible to the public.
The Museum’s collection spans diverse genres, including calligraphy, painting, and decorative arts. Visitors can view many iconic, celebrated works from each period of Japan’s history as well as pieces from around the world that have been gifted to members of the Imperial Family.
Since 2019, construction has been underway to expand the Museum’s storage and exhibition spaces and allow it to pursue a broader range of initiatives. Also, the Museum’s administration was transferred from the Imperial Household Agency to the National Institutes for Cultural Heritage in October 2023 to roughly coincide with the Museum’s partial reopening on November 3. A full reopening is planned for 2026.
The Museum exterior
For the latest information, please visit the Museum website or
call at +81 (0)50-5541-8600 (NTT Hello Dial Service).
